Zen Buddhism

Bodhidharma explained to the emperor that none of his gifts would lead to awakening, however. Personal effort and experience alone would ensure his progress along the Buddhist path.

When the emperor reacted with incomprehension, Bodhidharma set out for the north. He sat down and meditated in front of a wall in a cave for nine years.

For many years Bodhidharma had no disciples. He resumed teaching only when a man hoping to study under him cut off an arm and offered it to him to show his determination.

Zen Buddhism is often described as “a special tradition outside the scriptures” because it does not prioritize long-established rules, and instead emphasizes the personal journey towards insight.

This is why the role of masters is important. They guide their pupils and give them individual, personalized exercises such as those using riddles known as “koans”.

It was largely the Japanese philosopher D. T. Suzuki (1870–1966) who introduced Europe and North America to Zen Buddhism.

Its strong emphasis on the path of the individual and the novel mediation techniques it offered attracted great interest.

Many of its exercises are also practised in Christian communities as a means of training the mind.  

Today there are various types of Zen schools in Switzerland.