I realized that I had written this little series of links without really thinking about what I was doing or why - and so this belated introduction.

My aim is to provide an introduction to Zen Buddhism by pointing to relevant texts (Ch'an is the Chinese name, Zen is Japanese.)

Zen Buddhism is the practice of meditation with the purpose of - if not achieving Enlightenment by seeing nirvana: a sudden insight into Buddha-nature/everything/God/Omm 'as it is' - then at least moving down that path as much as is possible.

Friendly advice to those that may wish to read and thus discover 'what is it that Buddhists believe' - you can find out what it is that Buddhists do - but to find out what Buddhists believe then one must practice Buddhism - that is, one must meditate. Buddhists are not deliberately obscure - there is simply no other way.

There is no fundamental, essential, out-there or even 'in here' rational truth to be found in Buddhism.

There is no Buddhist belief outside of personal experience, which is vivid and wordless.

Buddhist belief has nothing to do with 'on such and such a day Buddha/God did/said this,' or 'Buddha/God is like this,' or 'Buddha/God wants us to do this and not this.'

Do Buddhists believe in Buddha/God?

If I respond with a negative then it may be understood as denying a very real experience.

If I respond with an affirmative, then it may be understood as a belief in an 'it,' a 'thing,' whatever you the reader conceives of (or thinks I conceive of) as Buddha/God - which would be different from my experience.

'I believe' is emotive and meaningless.

Everything in Buddhism is direct experience.

The words are just to help get you there.

"Seventh World of Ch'an Buddhism" by Ming Zhen Chakya
http://zbohy.zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Literature/7thWorld/7th-world-home.html

A great introduction to Buddhism and Zen/Ch'an.

"The Heart Sutra," "Maha-Prajna-Paramita-Hridaya"
http://zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Sruti-Smriti/Sutras/heart.html

Short and to the point containing the core tenets of Zen/Ch'an Buddhism.

"The Diamond Sutra," "Vajracchedika Prajna Paramita"
http://zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Sruti-Smriti/Sutras/diamond-sutra.html

Continuing the work of the Heart Sutra in a similar style.

"Faith in Mind," "Hsin-Hsin-Ming" [Chinese,] "Shinjinmei" [Japanese] by Seng T'san, Third Patriarch of Ch'an
http://zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Sruti-Smriti/Gathas/hsin-hsin-ming.html

A poem describing a productive mental attitude toward attaining Enlightenment.

"Song of Enlightenment," "Cheng-Tao-Ko" [Chinese,] "Shodoka" [Japanese] by Hsuan Chuen
http://zbohy.zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Sruti-Smriti/Gathas/song-of-enlightenment.html

Similar to the "Faith in Mind" but with more emphasis on the state of Enlightenment.

"The Lankavatara Sutra"
http://www.buddhistinformation.com/lankavatara_sutra.htm

Expounds a Buddhist view of samsara and Reality, dissolves dualist logic and gives advice on meditation.

"The Surangama Sutra"
http://home.wanadoo.nl/ekayana/intro.html

A treatise designed to wean one off all categories of mind and sensation.

"The Awakening of Faith in Mahayana," "Mahayana-Sraddhotpada Shastra" attributed to Asvaghosha. http://zbohy.zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Sruti-Smriti/Shastras/awakening-of-faith.html

Resolves questions.

"The Autobiography & Maxims of Master Han Shan 1546-1623" http://zbohy.zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Literature/HanShan/hanshan-home.html

The life and practice of a highly respected Zen/Ch'an Master, described with humility and honesty. An eventful and inspiring history.