Zen: Zen emphasizes dharma practice and experimental wisdom —particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen—in the attainment of awakening. As such, it de-emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and the study of religious texts in favor of direct, experiential realization.
Parables: A parable is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral or religious lesson.
Background
The parables illustrating the insights of Zen Buddhism originate from a philosophical and religious tradition within Buddhism that originated in China and began to spread into Japan in the twelfth century. The goal of Zen is to free the mind of conventional logic through meditation. Forcing students to rid themselves of any preconceived concepts of true knowledge, the Zen master tries to confuse the students with irrational questions. This technique prepares the students to find the meaning behind the often deceptively simple parables.
