Zen and Words: Sacred Texts in the Zen Tradition

Abstract

The Zen tradition defines itself as a teaching and truth that is beyond words and language. According to Zen masters, Zen truth cannot be explained in words or language, nor can it be understood through the dualistic thought structure. Despite this negative attitude towards words and language, the concept of sacred texts has developed in the Zen tradition, with a rich corpus having emerged. The focus of the article is on the place of sacred texts in the Zen tradition. The article accepts the thesis that, despite the Zen tradition's negative attitudes toward language and words, the concept of sacred texts exists within it and overlaps with other religious traditions. Just as in other religious traditions, the Zen tradition has texts that are accepted as being sacred. Like any other tradition, however, the Zen concept of sacred texts has also been accepted as having its own unique aspects. In this context, the main claims of the article are that the literature of Zen sacred texts consists of two basic categories with different functions; that even though Zen negates language, it manifests itself through words and gains existence through texts in the minds, lives, and history of its accepters; and that sacred texts are also ritual objects and objects of worship in the Zen tradition. © 2024 Istanbul Universitesi. All rights reserved.