An enso, or zen circle, painted by the author
What Zen Literally Means
Zen is a form of Buddhism. Buddhism, like many religions, has various denominations from different places with different practices. For example, Quaker is a form of Christian religion and Sufism is a form of Islam.
The word zen is a pronunciation of the Chinese character 禪, short for 禪那 (Middle Chinese: dzyen na, Việt: thiền na, Japanese: zen na). 禪那 is the Chinese spelling for the Sanskrit word dhyana, which means “meditation”. Meditation, specifically silent seated and walking meditation, is our main group practice.
In English these days, it can mean “being relaxed and unbothered by things.” The word zen probably entered the English language through Japanese introduction of Zen Buddhism to the United States and other English speaking places, first in the late 1800’s and then again after the lifting of the total ban on Asian immigration to the US, which lasted from 1924 to 1965.
What Zen Is Not
While it can be tempting to reach for “being relaxed and unbothered by things” through emotional suppression or denial, justification of wrong actions, or “stuffing” thoughts and feelings down, out, and away, this is not what we practice. Zen is not self-numbing, or becoming deaf to the cries of the world. It is not merely an individual practice. Zen is also not a practice of straining to focus, anchor, or concentrate on anything. Zen is the opposite of all of these things.
What Zen Can Do
Rather, zen is a collective practice of not-ignoring, of courageously facing what is here, even when it contains things we wish weren’t true. It is going beyond language, delusion, and illusion to not-pretend that things are some other way. By accepting the truth of things and how we relate with those truths, with the help of the vows, Right Speech, Action, and Livelihood become possible. When we sincerely and wholeheartedly practice together with others, they become even more likely. Zen allows us to hear the sounds of the world and bring our lives into alignment with our Buddha Nature, our capacity for Great Friendship and Great Compassion, even if it goes against everything that is normal and encouraged by prevailing culture. We do this together. This is Collective Liberation.
Little Forest and Zen
Little Forest is a Zen Buddhist group. Our practices are based on the threefold learning (tam học, 三學, triśikṣā) both practiced and taught by Śākyamuni Buddha: sincere living through the Sixteen Bodhisattva Vows and regularly practicing together silent seated and walking meditation, which creates conditions for clarity beyond words and ideas and revealing the Buddha Nature in each of us. We are grateful to all of the people who made it possible for us to practice together today from even before Śākyamuni Buddha down to the present day. While we do not claim to represent any particular lineage, our practice forms will feel familiar to those who practice with other Zen Buddhist groups.
Anyone who wants to sincerely practice is welcome. It is not necessary to identify as Buddhist to practice with us. The true expression of your religion is how you live your life, whether or not you consider yourself to be a religious person as defined by the prevailing culture.
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