What is Zen for Sri Lankan people ?

l  What is Zen？ 

To understand Zen through speaking words makes errors. Because Zen appreciates to understand through practicing. Zen has no forms. It is expressed through borrowing cultural forms. For example, calligraphy, drawing pictures, tea ceremony, the flower arrangement, or making Japanese garden. It is well known that Zen keeps the tradition of the Sanga organization and conservative Buddhism in Japan. There are some verses, “as like a rhinoceros horn”, in Sutta-Nipata. It is my opinion that this is the origin of Zen training. Therefore I can say, there is the common starting point between Sri Lankan Buddhism and Japanese Zen.

 

In the 6^th century Zen was conveyed to China by Bodhi Dharma, who was a prince in south Indian country. After that, Zen was greatly developed under the influence of Chinese philosophy, Taoism, Confucianism. As you know, Buddhism was oppressed several times by the northern nations in China. However Zen had kept the Dharma lighting. Why was Zen able to carry out? Because Zen can educate their disciples without Buddhist Sutras or Buddha’s statues. It has common history between Sri Lanka and Zen. During the colonial period by Portugal, Buddhist light was almost going out because Sri Lankan Buddhism was oppressed. But through the efforts by the Sunga Buddhism restoration.

 

As I said previously, Zen has no forms. So, when a Christian practice Zazen, he becomes a distinguished Christian. When a physicist practices Zazen, he becomes a peaceful physicist. There are so many battles and problems about the politics or the religions in the world. I don’t think that Zen can solve these problems immediately. However, we can change ourselves. Buddha’s philosophy of peace is a self-reform. Also it is the common teaching between Sri Lankan Buddhism and Zen. I wish to learn them together.

 

Written and translated：Giken Yoshitomi

Corrected and edited：Chko Yoda