Zen

Zen, also called Ch'an, is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. It is a religion that is also considered a philosophy which bases itself on meditation and contemplating the meaning of life. Buddhism is the father of Zen, therefore, Zen is seen as growing from the point Buddha achieved Enlightenment.CCDS: Zen Buddhism: Its Roots and Beliefs

In order to understand Zen, one must be willing to remove the doubt that he/she is not enlightened. The practice of meditation comes into play to work on this, as one resonates the belief and contemplation of Zen. There are two forms of contemplation in this process: Shamatha and Vipshayana. During Shamatha, the one meditating should recognize the stream of consciousness and not try to interrupt it, quiet it, or manipulate it. When practice of this is complete, it prepares the mind for Vipshayana, which is where one has the ability to reach Enlightenment.CCDS: Zen Buddhism: Its Roots and Beliefs

• • All of the links in the following section are to Wikipedia
• Soto
• Rinzai
• Obaku
• Jogye Order

• • All of the links in the following section are to Wikipedia