Concepts

Awakening, Buddhism, Concepts, Zen Buddhism

What is a Buddha?

Central to Buddhism is the concept of Buddha, a term often used to refer to the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.  While the historical Buddha is an important figure in the Buddhist tradition, there have been and

Buddhism, Concepts, Zen Buddhism

What is Mushin?

Mushin is the essence of Zen and Japanese martial arts. Mushin literally means “empty mind”, and it is commonly called “the state of no-mindedness”. Mushin is at the core of Zen and Japanese martial arts. It

Buddhism, Concepts, Zen Buddhism

What is Fudoshin?

Fudoshin is the ‘immovable mind’, that is, the mind that has met all challenges of life, and has attained a state of complete composure and fearlessness. This state of equanimity is essential in the practice

Buddhism, Concepts, Zen Buddhism

What is Hishiryo?

Hishiryo is a state of mind beyond thinking and non-thinking. During the practice of Zazen, it is the normal condition of the consciousness. Consciousness during  meditation is not the same as it is in daily life, it

Buddhism, Concepts, Zen Buddhism

What is Zanshin?

Zanshin is a concept found in Zen, Budo (Japanese martial arts), particularly Kendo, and in many Japanese arts, such as Ikebana (flower arrangement), chado (the tea ceremony) and sumi-e (ink painting). Simply put, Zanshin is

Buddhism, Concepts, Zen Buddhism

What is Satori?

As opposed to what many people think, Buddhist Enlightenment is not a special state of mind. It is simply a return to the original, natural condition of the human mind. Spiritual awakening, also know as