Ch'an Buddhism

Ch'an Buddhism, known as Zen in Japan, is a tradition that emphasizes direct experience and meditation as paths to awakening. It prioritizes direct realization of one’s true nature over intellectual study, often employing meditation (zazen), mindful awareness, and guided insights called koans. Rooted in Chinese Bodhidharma's teachings, it seeks to transcend conceptual thinking to achieve spontaneous understanding of reality. The practice encourages simplicity, mindfulness, and living fully in the present moment, aiming for liberation from delusions and dualities through personal insight and meditation rather than reliance on scriptures or rituals.