Art of Asia
- Introduction to Japan
- Buddhism in Japan
- Zen Buddhism
- A brief history of the arts of Japan: the Jomon to Heian periods
- A brief history of the arts of Japan: the Kamakura to Azuchi-Momoyama periods
- A brief history of the arts of Japan: the Edo period
- A brief history of the arts of Japan: the Meiji to Reiwa periods
- Japanese art: the formats of two-dimensional works
An introduction to Zen, a form of Buddhism that emphasizes seeking one's own Buddha nature through meditation. Learn more about Buddhism in Japan on the education.asianart.org. Created by Asian Art Museum.
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- 0:05Was he hitting the wooden block as an aid to meditation?(10 votes)
- What are "alms"?(9 votes)
- Its like a donation, an offering if you will, to help them out. Like the video said, the people used to give them rice or other food to help them, but these days its much more common to simply use money.(12 votes)
- How was Zen Buddhism first introduced to the Japanese?(4 votes)
- It came from China where Zen Buddhism was originally founded. It later went to Japan, Korea and other countries outside of Asia.(5 votes)
- I would very much like to know what the topic for discussion is at0:54
I couldn't make out how it might be spelled.(3 votes)
- 1:30Does every monk get struck with the paddle thing, or is it just one or two per meditation session? Also, do they get used to it because it seems like it really hurts.(3 votes)
- Can a traveller be one of them in just a day?
(from other countries)(1 vote)
- I don't understand your question. Are you asking whether or not a traveler from another country can become, in or for just one day, a Zen Buddhist? Nothing stops you from becoming a Zen Buddhist without travelling to Japan. You can do this at home. Though, it will likely take much, much longer than a single day.(2 votes)
- This is a very mind blowing and interesting video! I m suprised they beat people for blessings! I m a Buddhist my self but I get beaten because I m naughty or something definetly not for blessings!!' I pity the monks, literally(1 vote)
Zen for meditation Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China in the 1100s it emphasizes seeking one's own buddha nature through meditation these monks live at tofukuji in kyoto one of japan's oldest zen temples every chore no matter how routine is undertaken with mindfulness staying in the present rather than letting the mind wander to past or future the monks line up to meet with the abbot they will discuss koans paradoxical problems that cannot be solved through rational thought the process of working on the con for months even years will open the disciples mind to new levels of awareness monks spend much of their day in meditation and rarely sleep more than four hours a night the head monks strike is not a punishment but an aid to meditation it revives the monk and may even shock him into greater awareness meals are taken with complete mindfulness on the food and the ritual use of the bowls and utensils not a drop is wasted after cleaning the temple the monks venture out to big forearms in the old days people gave rice or other offerings of food these days it's more common to give cash some monks trained as calligraphers painters or gardeners paintings depict famous Zen sayings in calligraphy or Bodhidharma the founder of Zen Buddhism rock garden symbolized mountainous landscapes the ideal retreat from monastic life from the origins of Buddhism in India to the development of schools in China Korea and Japan meditation Buddhism has transcended language and culture over the past 50 years Zen has gained many new followers outside of Asia the pursuit of mental focus and the benefits of meditation appeal to people in search of meaning in a rapidly changing world you you