Does Zen Buddhism need Four Noble Truths? If so, why?

Anders
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:39 pm

Re: Does Zen Buddhism need Four Noble Truths? If so, why?

Post by Anders »

Astus wrote: Sun Dec 23, 2018 8:26 pm
Viach wrote: Sun Dec 23, 2018 8:58 amDoes Zen Buddhism need Four Noble Truths? If so, why?
If you mean whether Zen can be taught without mentioning the term "four noble truths", then yes, it can be. If you mean whether Zen teaches something independent from the meaning of the four noble truths, then no.
In a nutshell.

The chapter on the four noble truths in the avatamsaka sutra, outlining the many different names for the four noble truths in other worlds, is a nice representation of this principle to me.
"Even if my body should be burnt to death in the fires of hell
I would endure it for myriad lifetimes
As your companion in practice"

--- Gandavyuha Sutra
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