Zen and Tao?

250 · 10-02-2002, 08:10 AM

whats the difference? I am very ashamed beacause I am a chinese head to toe... can anyone enlighten me whats the difference between the two? I probally know the chinese translation of the two, though I doubt I've ever heard of "Zen". Anyways, whats the difference?

Ronn_Bman · 10-02-2002, 08:16 AM

Zat was Zen, and diss is Tao.

Sorry, I couldn't resist

250 · 10-02-2002, 08:19 AM

zat is very convujin...

Attalus · 10-02-2002, 08:51 AM

Taoism «TOW ihz uhm or DOW ihz uhm», is a philosophy that began in China, probably during the 300's B.C. Taoism is also the name of a religion that began in about the 100's B.C. Through the centuries, the philosophy has influenced artists and writers in the East and West. The word tao (also spelled dao) originally meant road or way. The Tao (Way) represents the characteristics or behavior that makes each thing in the universe what it is. The word is also used to mean reality as a whole, which consists of all the individual "ways."

Zen is an East Asian form of Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is practiced primarily in Japan and has greatly influenced Japanese culture. Since the mid-1900's, Zen has gained many followers in the United States.

The goal of Zen is the attainment of a state of spiritual enlightenment called satori. Zen Buddhists believe meditation is the key to achieving satori. There are two major schools of Zen, Rinzai and Soto. Followers of Rinzai meditate on the meaning of baffling riddles called koans while sitting cross-legged. People who practice Soto meditate in the same position. They also read from the sacred works of Mahayana Buddhism, another East Asian form of the religion. Zen Buddhists believe physical labor contributes to the attainment of enlightenment. They work closely with a teacher called the master, who guides their search for satori.

Zen developed in China, where it is called Chan. According to legend, an Indian monk named Bodhidharma first taught its principles in China in the A.D. 500's. Two Japanese priests, Eisai and Dogen, introduced Chan into Japan. Eisai founded the Rinzai school in the 1100's, and Dogen established the Soto school in the 1200's. Zen quickly became a major religious and cultural force in Japan.

Hope that helps. They're from the World Book.

250 · 10-02-2002, 08:58 AM

weird, I've never heard of Chan... or maybe it is pronounced differently in china. anyways, thanks a lot [img]smile.gif[/img]

Paladin2000 · 10-02-2002, 01:27 PM

That is...interesting. I am Chinese and I always tought that Zen was originated from Japan. Hmm...I better meditate on this.

Azred · 10-02-2002, 03:16 PM

The Tao is everything, including nothing.

The Zen that can be described is not Zen.

10-02-2002, 08:16 AM	#2
Ronn_Bman Zartan Join Date: March 11, 2001 Location: North Carolina USA Age: 57 Posts: 5,177	Zat was Zen, and diss is Tao. Sorry, I couldn't resist __________________ [img]\"http://home.carolina.rr.com/orthanc/pics/Spinning%20Hammer%20Sig%20Pic.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

10-02-2002, 08:51 AM	#4
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	Taoism «TOW ihz uhm or DOW ihz uhm», is a philosophy that began in China, probably during the 300's B.C. Taoism is also the name of a religion that began in about the 100's B.C. Through the centuries, the philosophy has influenced artists and writers in the East and West. The word tao (also spelled dao) originally meant road or way. The Tao (Way) represents the characteristics or behavior that makes each thing in the universe what it is. The word is also used to mean reality as a whole, which consists of all the individual "ways." Zen is an East Asian form of Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is practiced primarily in Japan and has greatly influenced Japanese culture. Since the mid-1900's, Zen has gained many followers in the United States. The goal of Zen is the attainment of a state of spiritual enlightenment called satori. Zen Buddhists believe meditation is the key to achieving satori. There are two major schools of Zen, Rinzai and Soto. Followers of Rinzai meditate on the meaning of baffling riddles called koans while sitting cross-legged. People who practice Soto meditate in the same position. They also read from the sacred works of Mahayana Buddhism, another East Asian form of the religion. Zen Buddhists believe physical labor contributes to the attainment of enlightenment. They work closely with a teacher called the master, who guides their search for satori. Zen developed in China, where it is called Chan. According to legend, an Indian monk named Bodhidharma first taught its principles in China in the A.D. 500's. Two Japanese priests, Eisai and Dogen, introduced Chan into Japan. Eisai founded the Rinzai school in the 1100's, and Dogen established the Soto school in the 1200's. Zen quickly became a major religious and cultural force in Japan. Hope that helps. They're from the World Book. __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

10-02-2002, 01:27 PM	#6
Paladin2000 Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: February 19, 2002 Location: Your guess is as good as mine. Age: 52 Posts: 1,728	That is...interesting. I am Chinese and I always tought that Zen was originated from Japan. Hmm...I better meditate on this. __________________ (This is an invisible sig.)

10-02-2002, 03:16 PM	#7
Azred Drow Priestess Join Date: March 13, 2001 Location: a hidden sanctorum high above the metroplex Age: 54 Posts: 4,037	The Tao is everything, including nothing. The Zen that can be described is not Zen. __________________ Everything may be explained by a conspiracy theory. All conspiracy theories are true. No matter how thinly you slice it, it's still bologna.

10-02-2002, 08:10 AM	#1
250 Horus - Egyptian Sky God Join Date: March 4, 2001 Location: either CA or MO Age: 42 Posts: 2,674	whats the difference? I am very ashamed beacause I am a chinese head to toe... can anyone enlighten me whats the difference between the two? I probally know the chinese translation of the two, though I doubt I've ever heard of "Zen". Anyways, whats the difference?

10-02-2002, 08:19 AM	#3
250 Horus - Egyptian Sky God Join Date: March 4, 2001 Location: either CA or MO Age: 42 Posts: 2,674	zat is very convujin...

10-02-2002, 08:58 AM	#5
250 Horus - Egyptian Sky God Join Date: March 4, 2001 Location: either CA or MO Age: 42 Posts: 2,674	weird, I've never heard of Chan... or maybe it is pronounced differently in china. anyways, thanks a lot [img]smile.gif[/img]

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