Teachings of Zen Masters By Warren Marion At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

The teacher plays a vital role in Zen practice, where direct communication is more important than scriptural study. The teacher-disciple relationship is amazing in Zen tradition. The teacher renders all the essential services that make the disciple to live fully. He helps to understand the life of oneness. And he explains to the disciple how each birth is a joyous event and filled with a sense of wonder.

The teacher teaches the Dharma, that means the doctrines and teachings of Lord Buddha. According to Zen beliefs, only a noble disciple can realize the Dharma perfectly. The disciple needs to have enlightened mind to get the ultimate wisdom.

AZen teacher guides the students in meditation, which is the core of Zen practice. He directs the students to perform the rituals flawlessly.

The important role of Zen teacher is to make the student understands the idea of Dharma transmission; this refers to the way in which the teaching is passed from the teacher to the student. The dharma transmission involves awakening the disciple to the true nature. Then the student begins to grow a mystical realization of identity and how to attain Buddhahood.

The teacher gets honorable titles. In Chinese, the title is Fashi, Sunim in Korean, Osho in Japanese and Thay in Vietnamese. He guides the student by providing step-by-step approach.

In Zen, lineage is a system where the teacher certifies the student to teach others. The student then becomes a teacher. It is common for daily chanting in Zen temples to include the lineage. However, modern Zen Buddhists raise criticisms against lineage system.

The Zen teacher teaches the law of karma, which is so powerful and governs the world. He helps the student to take the path of Zen. The disciple can get new perspectives and insights, which ultimately lead to enlightenment.

While the written word regarding Zen practice is often misunderstood by common people, a teacher can clearly specify the meanings and concepts. This emphasizes the importance of Guru in Zen practice where the instructor awakens the thoughts of Buddha in his disciple through meditation.

The techniques and practices require understanding of many suttas and sutras of Buddhist principles. The sutras refer to canonical scriptures, which are the records of the oral teachings of Lord Buddha. Sutta is exclusively used to refer Buddhist scriptures in Pali form.

The role of the teacher is somewhat different in China. He needs to give training in virtue and discipline. The training in wisdom is also essential. It is highly important for a student to find a real teacher who can teach Zen; there are many Zen monasteries all over the world and the students can find a teacher there.

The role of teacher here is vitally important since he alone can enlighten the students in right way. He gives some guidance in Zazen practice, which is a type of Zen sitting meditation. He says some words to create an environment in which the student can be awakened. He can even guide in treating makyo, physical pain, and sleepiness and so on.

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