Zen

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Zen is traditionally a branch of Buddhism.  Buddhism is concerned primarily with the attainment of Nirvana by individual effort in overcoming the vicious cycle of temptation, evil and suffering.  However, Zen Buddhism is much more like Taoism in some respects, in that it holds that the attainment of enlightenment is not achieved by hard work or struggling.  Indeed, the central premise of Zen is the renunciation of dualistic thinking.  Trying to explain Zen is perhaps, therefore, somewhat paradoxical.  Paradox is also much embraced by the Zen philosophy, so this explanation will embrace the paradox of trying to explain Zen in as paradox-free a manner as possible.

satori

The aim of Zen is the attainment of Satori.  Satori is a state of blissful enlightenment.  Attempting a description is doubly pointless here, since it has already been attempted elsewhere in the guide, and since descriptions will only really get you further away from it.  Indeed, it is only mentioned here so that you will know that there is a destination state, and it feels nice.

this is not the way

Renounce dualistic thinking.

What does that mean?


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