Final answer:
Zen practitioners view time, particularly past and future, as non-existent beyond the present moment. They emphasize present experience as the only reality, with the past and future being illusory concepts that do not have any real bearing on the present, thereby fostering a sense of freedom and autonomy in the now.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zen practitioners have a distinct view of time, including concepts of the past, present, and future. In the philosophy of Zen Buddhism, particularly as seen in the schools of thought like Tiantai and Huayan, there is a recognition that phenomena do not have an essential nature and exist only temporarily. This viewpoint aligns with the idea that truth is beyond both existence and non-existence and can be found in all things, thus suggesting a transcendence of time.
Within Zen, it's often understood that present experience is the only reality. The past is regarded as not having any real being apart from our memory, which is itself a present experience. Consequently, it is believed that the past does not determine our present actions. The future, similarly, is considered non-existent. This perspective fosters a sense of freedom that allows individuals to choose how they interact with their memories in the present moment.
This view is encapsulated in the Zen belief that meditation is a way to understand the illusory nature of the world and the concept of a presentist approach, which suggests that the historical and philosophical implications of past actions are judged by their relevance in the present. This understanding allows Zen practitioners to live with an awareness that emphasizes the significance and autonomy of the present moment, unencumbered by the illusions of a linear progression of time.