Japanese Shoji Screens :: Japanese Zen Shoji Screen (Rosewood)

All things have a story...

The word “Zen” is often used in American culture and is gaining popularity year-by-year. It is a part of many book titles and most people use the word Zen to describe a serene-looking person. But when asked what Zen truly is, most Westerners have a difficult time accurately defining the word. Although Zen is associated mainly with Japan (for Americans), this particular sect of Buddhism traces its history back to China.

It is speculated that Zen began during a discourse given by Buddha, which he called the “Flower Sermon.” Instead of speaking, the Buddha merely held up a golden lotus flower. None of his followers ascertained the message of the Buddha except for one man. His name was Mahakasyapa. A faint smile on his face indicated to the Buddha that he understood his message. The insight that caused the smile was then transmitted through 28 future Buddhist partriarchs in India and then through China, Korea and ultimately to Japan. The essence of the communication between Buddha and Mahakasyapa is said to be the secret of Zen.

Unlike other religions or philosophies, Zen is often a topsy-turvy world filled with strange ironies and seemingly impenetrable conundrums. A Zen master may command you to do something that seems completely out of place, or say something that sounds like nonsense. The student of Zen must not think strictly in logical terms, but instead use these tools to wake from his slumber and jolt his consciousness into a more enlightened state. According to Zen, words are an imperfect way for expressing a reality that cannot possibly be described in language alone. Therefore, Zen utilizes other devices, such as the Koan (an illogical and nearly impossible riddle to solve), to get its meaning across. Zen also relies on a rich monastic tradition, much sitting meditation (called Zazen) and old, bald Japanese men in robes famous for slapping their students with sticks. Such men are referred to as Zen masters, and are a very important part of learning and passing on the lineage of Zen, which relies less on scripture and more on practice.

It would take a small book to fully describe the essence of Zen, and even still its meaning may not entirely be transmitted to the reader. However, we can leave off by saying that Zen is a philosophy/religion and a sect of Buddhism that emphasizes enlightenment through the practice of inner meditation, wisdom and interaction.