Final answer:
Zen Buddhism is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation and personal experience in the pursuit of enlightenment, having originated in China as Chan Buddhism. It is notable for its influence on Japanese culture and aesthetics, and its practice is synonymous with a lifestyle that values simplicity and inner peace.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zen Buddhism is a distinctive form of Mahayana Buddhism that emerged in Japan after originating in China as Chan Buddhism. It emphasizes the practice of meditation, focusing on the direct experience of insight in the quest for enlightenment. Zen Buddhism is characterized by the pursuit of simplicity and a deep appreciation for the aesthetic, which manifests in various forms of Japanese culture, including tea ceremonies, martial arts, and the visual arts. Unlike other Buddhist traditions, such as Pure Land Buddhism which encourages devotion to a savior for enlightenment, Zen Buddhism relies on rigorous self-discipline and direct, personal experience mediated through zazen (sitting meditation) and the study of koans (paradoxical anecdotes or riddles).
Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty, an early patron of Buddhism in China, was famously rebuked by Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan Buddhism, who stressed that enlightenment could only be attained through meditation. This illustrates the clear distinction in the approach of Chan/Zen Buddhism in comparison to other schools which may place emphasis on scriptural study or devotional practices. In Japan, Zen was embraced notably by the samurai class, for whom the acceptance of the illusory nature of the world harmonized with their bushido code, even in the face of death.
The appeal of Zen Buddhism lies not only in its religious practice but also its integration into lifestyle and cultural aesthetic, which has garnered interest worldwide. The Zen aesthetic values the simplicity and truth of materials and objects, an idea exemplified by the serene rock gardens found in Zen temples such as the Ryoan-ji. This simplicity and the practice of meditation contribute to a more profound understanding of the self and the cosmos as per Zen teachings.