P2+Zen,+Monks+and+Nuns

P2 Zen, Monks, Nuns

By: Chloe C, Adrienne S, and Hope F.

=Daily Life Essay: Monks Nuns and Meditation!=

__I ntroduction __

In Japan there are different ways that people express their religious thoughts and ideas. One of which is the Monks. They practice different religions. But mostly Buddhism. In Buddhism meditation is a key component. Meditation is done because it helps the monks and nuns all clear there mind and thoughts from any bad feelings. By clearing all of their thoughts they find happiness and enlightenment. There whole goal in life is to reach enlightenment. As you will see the Monks ways are very particular, yet they still find that life is bigger than it seems, so they live it to the fullest.

__Monks __
====The Buddhist Monks and Nuns wake up at 3:30 in the summer and 4:30 in the winter. They are awakened by the ringing of a large metal or brass bell. At breakfast each monk takes his turn as a waiter. They serve mostly 3 bowls of rice, pickled plums, and vegetables. As they chant for morning prayers, they uncover their bowls of food and face toward the head monk. Even for the worst meals the monks must show thanks. The dining room is one of the three places for silence. The others are the bath and the meditation hall. During the day monks do chores, meditate, or play traditional Chinese games. Every 5th day is known as a house cleansing day. It starts with the monks shaving their heads bald to symbolize the strong will to break from secular illusions and delusions. The monks and nuns practice Zen meditation also during the day. To meditate you must sit straight, cross-legged and motionless, with the mind concentrated to find tranquility and insight. Monks were supposedly Buddha's followers in his teachings. They would chant his name multiple times in their prayers so that the person could connect with him. ====

====In Japan there are many different religions one of which is Buddhism. Buddhism practices the teachings of enlightenment by way of not wanting things. They believe that throughout life if you want things whether it be electronic or a wholesome snack you will be suffering, and by reaching enlightenment you have taught yourself how not to want. The cycle of Buddhism is being born then dying then coming back and doing this over and over again. The only way to break the cycle is to achieve the enlightenment. Also in order to do this you must learn to meditate. Meditation was a very long process of sitting in a relaxing area that feels most calm and clearing your mind of all thoughts and troubles you may have. Buddhism came to Japan in 552 C.E. by way of Korea. The Japanese people all saw this new religion and wanted to learn more about it. The actual Buddha was not so religious when his life first began. He was a prince at the time that would soon have to follow the ways of his royal relatives, but Buddha wanted more. He wanted to start a more religious group and so he did, and to this day we still see Buddhism throughout the world. ====

__Zen __ Amida was supposedly the original version of Buddha since there were several versions of him. Pure Advocates constant prayer of his name would promise salvation. The Nichiren thought that all other sects were false and that Japan was the center of Zen Buddhism. Every man has a kind of Buddha – Nature but one must look inside one’s self to achieve it. Zen means meditation or concentration to achieve enlightenment. Meditation consists of several steps and a specific mental state. When meditating, you would usually meditate in a Zen Garden. Zen Gardens consist of twisted tree trunks, natural wooden textures, miniature trees, sand/ small rocks to represent a large landscape. Zen Gardens almost always had some sort of water feature that had moving water. The water sounds helped keep an open mind. These gardens were also ample with different types of vegetation.

__Religious Comparison- __
====The religion of Shinto is a lot like the Buddhist religion. Shinto began almost right after Buddhism came to Japan. Shinto was not even named until Buddhism came around. They both had a huge influence on each other and soon became the most popular religions in Japan. Each of them has many gods in which they pray to and meditate for in their religious practice. They also have a rule in which to treat others religions with fairness and kindness, because all of the religions are equal in their minds. Yet even though they say this they still had arguments with each other about whose religion should be the main one in all of Japan. Buddhism’s ways of practices where very stern and straight forward which some people liked but others like the Shinto way which was making things a bit more simple and less complex. Also the Shinto religion didn’t have a founder and that was so different from Buddhism and Christianity. As you can see the two religions were very different and are still different to this day. ====

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**__Citations__** Boisselier, Jean. The Wisdom of the Buddha. Print New York: H.N. Abrams, 1994

Nardo, Don: Traditional Japan: Lucent Books, P.O. Box 289011, San Diego, CA 92198-9011, 1995 Print

Odijk, Pamela. The Japanese. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Burdett Press, 1991. Print.

Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Buddhism. New York: Facts On File, c2002. Print.

Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Buddhism. New York Facts on File, 1991. Print.

Wilkinson, Philip. Buddhism. New York: DK, 2003. Print