How are Buddha, Taoism and Zen defined? What's the difference between the three?

Definitions of the three:

1. Buddha: Sanskrit "Buddha", which is the abbreviation of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, and also the Buddhist term for a person who has perfected his practice. title. Sanskrit Buddha is the abbreviation of "Buddha" in transliteration, and its free translation is "awakened one", "knowing one" and "awareness". Awakening has three meanings: self-consciousness, awakening others (making all living beings aware), and perfect awakening, which is the highest fruit of Buddhist practice.

The "Buddha" in Theravada is generally used as an honorific title for Sakyamuni. Mahayana not only refers to Sakyamuni, but also refers to all those who have achieved perfect enlightenment. It is claimed that there are Buddhas everywhere in the three worlds and ten directions.

2. Tao: As a philosophical concept, it first came from "Guangchengzi. Natural Classic" during the Huangdi period. It coexists with Chinese characters and Chinese civilization. It is a term used by the Chinese nation to understand nature for themselves. It means the orbit or trajectory of all things. It can also be said to be the place where things change and move.

3. Zen is a behavior based on "quietness", which originates from human instinct. After being developed by ancient ancestors, it has formed various systematic practice methods and exists in various sects. There are records of this behavior in the pre-Qin period, but there is no fixed name. Until the introduction of the Indian word jana, which was transliterated into Chinese as "Jana", later generations used the word "Zen" to refer to this kind of behavior.

There are two differences between the three:

1. The sects in which the three exist are different:

(1) Buddha exists in Buddhism.

(2) Tao exists in Taoism.

(3) Zen has been developed by ancient ancestors and has formed various systematic practice methods and exists in various sects.

2. The three represent different meanings:

(1) The meaning represented by Buddha: such as: Buddha Heaven (Buddha; Western Heaven; Beautiful Place); Buddha Transformation (Buddha) Buddha's light (the light brought by the Buddha); Buddha meeting (the place where the Buddha and Bodhisattva saints gather); Buddha picture (Buddhist pagoda); Buddha's position (the position of achieving Buddhahood).

(2) The meaning of Tao: "Tao" is the most fundamental law that drives the operation of the universe. It is the consciousness of "Heaven" and is not limited by time and space. Consciousness is divided into consciousness and awareness. Meaning is thinking, which is the process of achieving goals based on concepts. Consciousness is feeling, which is the process of interpreting concepts.

When you think about "Tao", it is constantly growing from a giant nest, so all things are born. When you feel it, heaven and man are harmonious, so all things are quiet. Tao is the most fundamental force in the universe. It exists everywhere at all times. It transcends time and space. It changes and remains unchanged. If there must be rules, then "the Tao is the most simple".

(3) The meaning of Zen: All troubles in life are found by oneself. When the mind becomes broad and empty, like a cup with troubles emptied, it can be peaceful and quiet. If the human soul can be as detached and plain as the lotus flower, the sun and the moon, and has no mind of discrimination, choice, love and hate, gain and loss, then it will be possible to achieve happiness and peace.

The water flows downwards, the clouds float in the sky, everything happens naturally and harmoniously, this is the normal mind. With a normal heart, life is like flowing clouds and flowing water, returning to the true nature, this is understanding life, and it is Zen.

Extended information:

Zen, through "Cicada", can change without departing from its origin, such as cicada (silkworm) and chrysalis, chicken and egg, caused by causes and conditions, reincarnation changes, no change There is a sequence, but there is no end. Different time and space, different body shapes, the end is the same. Zen changes and surrenders, no matter how they change or who they give way to, are ultimately the continuation of their spirit.

Zen first requires the pursuit of oneself, and its processes and methods are often inconsistent with human feelings, knowledge, and common sense. Zen does not talk about knowledge, so it is not hindered by knowledge and regards knowledge as the biggest enemy. Knowledge teaches people to be discriminating. In the field of knowledge, people will lose themselves because of this, and even be controlled by wrong knowledge and wrong views, forming a tool that harms all sentient beings.

Because in the minds of Zen masters, flowers are not necessarily red and willows are not necessarily green. They understand the deeper realm from the level of negation. They do not need to argue with each other and transcend language, so they have a richer realm of life. Master Fu Shanhui said: "Holding a hoe with empty hands, riding a buffalo on foot; people cross the bridge, but the water on the bridge does not flow."

This is an unreasonable description, and it completely challenges the delusional consciousness of separation. , in order to break the common people's attachment to knowledge. Eliminate the world of confusion and distinction, and enable people to enter a more true, more beautiful, and better spiritual realm. Zen language is illogical, but it has a higher realm; Zen language is illogical, but it has a deeper meaning.