Each school began with a teacher who adapted what they learned. That’s why we have so many schools. In #Japan alone:
#Eisai studied #Chan in China, came back & founded #Japanese #RinzaiZen.
#Dōgen also went to China, studied Caodong (#Sōtō) & brought it back, reshaping it for #Japan.
#Shinran studied #Tendai, left it, & founded #JōdoShinshū.
#Nichiren followed the #LotusSūtra above all, creating his own movement. (4/10)
Buddhistdoor Quote for Today: Linji Yixuan (d. 866 CE)
Explore BDG on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BuddhistdoorGlobal
Buddhistdoor Quote for Today: Linji Yixuan (d. 866 CE)
An ancient said that if you call it a thing, you miss the mark. Just look for yourself: what else is there? Talk could go on forever: each of you must personally make the effort. — Linji Yixuan (d. 866 CE)
Explore more at BDG: https://www.buddhistdoor.net
#Chán / #Zen #Buddhism emphasizes direct, non-conceptual realization, moving beyond words and dualistic thought. Its #epistemology centers on immediate, embodied #wisdom (#prajñā), contrasting with scholastic traditions. Zen's practice-based approach challenges conventional models of knowledge and highlights non-duality, which is what we explore in this post:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-07-13-zens_way_of_knowing/
#Chán #Buddhism in #China emerged through dynamic interaction with #Daoism and #Confucianism. #Daoist concepts like #spontaneity, non-action, and receptivity shaped Chán’s style and practice, while Confucianism influenced #ethics and social structure. In this post, we briefly examine, who Chán remained distinctly Buddhist, yet deeply adapted to Chinese thought:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-07-12-chan_vs_daoism/
The Five Houses of #Chán (#Guiyang, #Linji, #Caodong, #Yunmen, #Fayan) mark the diversification of #Chinese #Zen, each developing distinct pedagogical styles and approaches to awakening. Their legacy shaped Zen in #China, #Korea, #Vietnam, and #Japan, forming the foundation for global Zen practice. Here is a brief exploration of their origins, teachings, and lasting influence on the #Buddhist tradition:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-07-11-five_houses_of_chan/
The division between the Northern and Southern Schools of early #Chán #Buddhism shaped the evolution of #Zen in #EastAsia. While often framed as a split between gradual and sudden #enlightenment, modern scholarship reveals a more nuanced interplay of doctrine, practice, and institutional dynamics. Here is a closer look at this pivotal moment in the history of Buddhism:
Dajian #Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of #Chinese #Chán (#Zen), catalyzed a shift from gradual to sudden #enlightenment, emphasizing direct realization over scriptural study. His teachings on no-thought, non-abiding, and the inseparability of #meditation and #wisdom remain foundational in #EastAsian #Buddhism.
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-06-29-huineng/
Daman #Hongren, the fifth patriarch of #Chinese #Chán (#Zen) #Buddhism, shaped the #EastMountainTeachings by emphasizing seated meditation (#zazen), direct awareness, and the intrinsic purity of mind. His pragmatic approach laid the institutional and philosophical foundation for later Zen schools:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-06-29-hongren/
Dayi #Daoxin (580–651), the fourth #Zen patriarch, marked a pivotal shift from itinerant teaching to stable monastic community in #Chinese #Chán. His integration of #meditation, communal discipline, and institutional structure laid the groundwork for Zen's enduring presence as both spiritual lineage and living tradition:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-06-29-daoxin/
Jianzhi #Sengcan, third patriarch of #Chán #Buddhism, is renowned for his association with the 'Xinxin Ming' and the embodiment of #equanimity and non-duality. His legacy emphasizes simplicity, humility, and the direct transmission of awakening — core values that shaped early #Zen tradition:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-06-29-sengcan/
Dazu #Huike (487–593), the 2nd patriarch of #Chán #Buddhism, exemplifies radical sincerity and direct transmission. His legendary arm-cutting symbolizes total commitment to awakening. His legacy shaped #Zen's emphasis on sudden realization, non-dual insight, and the living embodiment of #Dharma. Here is a brief resumé of his life and teachings, exploring his role in the early formation of Chán and the symbolic depth of the narratives that surround him:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-06-29-huike/
The Six Patriarchs of #Zen (#Chán) exemplify the tradition's emphasis on direct, mind-to-mind transmission and meditative realization over textual authority. Their legacy shaped the evolution of Zen from its #Indian roots to a distinct #Chinese school, fostering both institutional growth and doctrinal innovation:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-06-28-patriarchs_of_zen/
#Bodhidharma (jap. #Daruma), a semi-legendary figure, symbolizes a pivotal shift in #EastAsian #Buddhism — emphasizing direct meditative insight over ritual and scholasticism. His legacy critiques institutionalization and highlights the transformative power of experiential realization in the #Chán / #Zen tradition. Read more about his impact on the evolution of Buddhist thought and practice here:
https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-06-28-bodhidharma/
#Buena Vista Social Club - #Chan Chan (Official HD Video)
#music
youtu.be/tGbRZ73NvlY?feature=s…
Chan Chan video made from the Wim Wenders documentary 'Buena Vista Social Club'Click here to subscribe to World Circuit - smarturl.it/sub2worldcircuit..…
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