What is Zen?

Video Posts on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ZenOptimism/videos

Last Few Substack Posts:

What is the Activity of Buddhism?

Can We Now Start To Reconcile Zero?

Appreciating the Anattalakhana Sutta

Terms In The Video:

• Zero: The fundamental teaching of the late Zen master Joshu Sasaki: “As the Buddha taught, zero inevitably splits into mutually opposing activities which inevitably disappear into zero.”

• Reconciling Zero: The investigation of Zero in the pursuit of Effective Zen.

• Effective Zen: The one path on Zen Mountain that gives any one individual the best chance of reaching the peak (realizing non-duality).

• Zen Mountain: The collection of all possible Zen paths.

• Buddhism: The set of spiritual activities where the highest good is the realization of non-duality.

• Highest Good: That which exists for its own sake (there is nothing greater).

• The Realization of Non-Duality: The complete understanding of a self inseparable from circumstance – where complete understanding implies manifestation.

• The Realization of Infinite Mind: Same as the Realization of Non-Duality

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Joshu Sasaki’s Teaching of Zero:

Zero inevitably splits into two naturally opposing activities - often called plus and minus or expand and contract - which eventually inevitably cancel each other and disappear, resulting in the return to Zero.

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The Four Aspects of Zero:

1. Zero - the confluence of conditions necessary for activity to arise.

2. Trigger - the circumstance that initiates the splitting of Zero into the two naturally opposing activities.

3. Activity - the interaction of opposing activities that result in manifested activity.

4. Cancellation - when the two opposing activities negate each other and disappear.

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Zero-Buddhism: The Three Conditions Required For the Activity of Buddhism to Arise

1. An enlightened teacher

2. A clear path to the realization of infinite mind

3. An understanding of the obstacles expected on the path to the realization of infinite mind

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Zero-Zen: The Three Conditions Required For the Activity of Zen to Arise

1. An enlightened teacher

2. A clear path to the realization of infinite mind - requiring engagement and zazen

3. An understanding of the obstacles expected on the path to the realization of infinite mind

The Question For Next Week: What Is Engagement?