There Is But One Dharma

My fascination has always been with Zen. And when I say Zen I don't mean the Japanese schools specifically but generally the whole East-Asian tradition, it's just I'm using this word as an accepted label for it in English. It is its perspective, its look on the whole Buddhist tradition that I can harmonise with the best. That is because it is not about any specific formula, way of interpretation that one could just draw out, but it works directly from realisation. True, this kind of directness is the hallmark and uniqueness of Zen, but mostly this is not something really tangible.

Zen could become the leading interpretation of the Buddhadharma in China, Korea and Vietnam. But it's not like an individual school, or system, rather a holistic view. That is because Zen doesn't restrict itself to this or that scripture or treatise. What Jiang Wu says somewhere (p. 275) in "Enlightenment in Dispute" that Zen has been more of an organising and unifying force in China rather than a sectarian thing, that could actually link separate monastic communities and impose some pan-Chinese model.

This, however, is irrelevant for us, as Western Buddhism is far from having a significant monastic group. There are some umbrella organisations on both sides of the Atlantic but they're apparently useless in creating any kind of unity among independent lay groups. Buddhism is still too varied and only a very few can actually see beyond their own sect. In fact, thinking in sects is one of the hindrances. It has been pointed out a couple of times already, especially by Bhikkhu Sujato, that there are actually no Buddhist sects.

What Zen, as an interpretation focusing on the essential core of the Buddha's teaching and enlightenment, can help us is to see the presence of the Middle Way in all forms of Buddhism. It doesn't matter what tradition it is, the understanding and experience to be attained is always non-attachment. As the Diamond Sutra points to this, "All worthy sages are distinguished by the unconditioned dharma." Also says, "All buddhas and their teachings on anuttara-samyak-sambodhi come from this scripture". And these buddhas are "those who are free from all notions". This is what Zen focuses on and what forms the essence of Buddhism.

For this to be understood there's no need to actually join a Zen community, it has little to do with that. One should study under whomever one favours as a teacher, as far as it is Buddhism. And although it is advisable to group up with fellow Buddhists, it is not necessary. As Hongren, 5th ancestor of Zen, says, "the buddhas of the three worlds consider the self-mind the original teacher". That is because "if you know the mind, through preserving it the other shore is reached; if you confuse the mind, through abandoning it you fall into the three lower realms." Or as a modern master, Daehaeng Kunsunim said, "Regardless of whether you are a layperson or a monastic, everyone has to practice relying upon their fundamental mind. For each person has this one, true thing within them."

If this is understood then the foundation for building bridges over technical differences is laid. With that it becomes possible to establish an authentic Western Buddhism, for true authenticity comes from each and every ones personal realisation of the Buddha's message of liberation.