• Title/Summary/Keyword: Zen Meditation

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Investigation of Visual Perception Under Zen-Meditation Based On Alpha-Dependent F-VEPs

  • Liao, Hsien-Cheng;Liu, Chuan-Yi;Lo, Pei-Chen
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.27 no.6
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    • pp.384-391
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    • 2006
  • Variation of brain dynamics under Zen meditation has been one of our major research interests for years. One issue encountered is the inaccessibility to the actual meditation level or stage as a reference. In this paper, we propose an alternative strategy for investigating the human brain in response to external flash stimuli during Zen meditation course. To secure a consistent condition of the brain dynamics when applying stimulation, we designed a recording of flash visual evoked potentials (F-VEPs) based on a constant background EEG (electroencephalograph) frontal $\alpha-rhythm$ dominating activities that increase significantly during Zen meditation. Thus the flash-light stimulus was to be applied upon emergence of the frontal $\alpha-rhythm$. The alpha-dependent F-VEPs were then employed to inspect the effect of Zen meditation on brain dynamics. Based on the experimental protocol proposed, considerable differences between experimental and control groups were obtained. Our results showed that amplitudes of P1-N2 and N2-P2 on Cz and Fz increased significantly during meditation, contrary to the F-VEPs of control group at rest. We thus suggest that Zen meditation results in acute response on primary visual cortex and the associated parts.

EEG Nonlinear Interdependence Measure of Brain Interactions under Zen Meditation

  • Huang, Hsuan-Yung;Lo, Pei-Chen
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.286-294
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    • 2008
  • This work investigates the characteristics of brain interactions of experienced Zen-Buddhist practitioners by obtaining multichannel EEG (electroencephalogram) data. Brain interactions were compared among three phases-40-minute meditation (M), 5-minute Chakra-focusing practice (Z) and rest with closed eyes (R). The similarity index S, developed in nonlinear dynamical system theory, was employed to measure the degree of possibly asymmetric coupling. Meditators exhibited, overall, stronger interactions among multiple cortical areas in meditation stages M and Z than in the R state. This enhancement was greater in the M stage when the meditator was accompanied by a thought-free and fully consciousness state. In the high-frequency band (>13Hz), the interdependence was also higher in both meditation stages than at baseline rest. However, the interaction strength, especially in the posterior regions, was greatest in the Z stage, which involved internal attention. Few electrode pairs were observed with significant pair-wise asymmetry in the Z state. The similarity is a possible characteristic of dense reciprocal and strong mutual interactions between multiple cortical areas during meditation - especially in the Z state in the high-frequency band. These results demonstrate that profound Zen meditation induces various dynamic states in different phases of meditation, possibly reflected by nonlinear interdependence measure.

Spatial Focalization of Zen-Meditation Brain Based on EEG

  • Liu, Chuan-Yi;Lo, Pei-Chen
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.17-24
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    • 2008
  • The aim of this paper is to report our preliminary results of investigating the spatial focalization of Zen-meditation EEG (electroencephalograph) in alpha band (8-13 Hz). For comparison, the study involved two groups of subjects, practitioners (experimental group) and non-practitioners (control group). To extract EEG alpha rhythm, wavelet analysis was applied to multi-channel EEG signals. Normalized alpha-power vectors were then constructed from spatial distribution of alpha powers, that were classified by Fuzzy C-means based algorithm to explore various brain spatial characteristics during meditation (or, at rest). Optimal number of clusters was determined by correlation coefficients of the membership-value vectors of each cluster center. Our results show that, in the experimental group, the incidence of frontal alpha activity varied in accordance with the meditation stage. The results demonstrated three different spatiotemporal modules consisting with three distinctive meditation stages normally recognized by meditation practitioners. The frontal alpha activity in two groups decreased in different ways. Particularly, monotonic decline was observed in the control group, and the experimental group showed increasing results. The phenomenon might imply various mechanisms employed by meditation and relaxation in modulating parietal alpha.

A Study on the Tradition of the Setting of Seungdang and Gowon in the Zen Buddhist Temples of Song Dynasty (송대 선종사원의 승당과 고원 배치 전통)

  • Han, Ji-Man
    • Journal of architectural history
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.45-56
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    • 2016
  • The purpose of this study is to clarify the historical background of the setting of seungdang(僧堂) and gowon (庫院) in the Zen Buddhist temples of Song dynasty, in terms of as a Buddhist temple universality and as a Zen temple specificity, through the historical reference investigation on its relevance to the Buddhist temples of Tang dynasty. In the Zen Buddhist temples of Song dynasty, the Zen meditation space of seungdang was located on the west side of Buddha hall, and the kitchen and officiating priest's living space of gowon was located on the east side of Buddha hall. Through the analysis of historical reference it was confirmed that, in the Buddhist temples of Tang dynasty, the Zen meditation section of seonwon(禪院) was on the west side, and the gowon was on the east side too. Therefore, it can be said that, the setting method of seungdang and gowon of the Zen Buddhist temples of Song dynasty was established above tradition of the Tang dynasty Buddhist temples.

An Analysis of Research Trends on Meditation (명상관련 논문의 연구동향 분석)

  • 김문영
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.923-932
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    • 1997
  • This study was done to analyze research trends and to suggest future perspectives for nursing research on meditation. The author reviewed 41 foreign research papers which had been published in the Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology(JCC) between 1966 and 1986, The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology(JTP) between 1967 and 1987, and The Journal of Counseling Psychology (JCP) between 1965 and 1994. The analysis of the studies focused on the concept of meditation, the type of study design, type of research subjects, type of meditation, the results of study, and the applied type of counseling and psychotherapy. The results of the study are summarized as follows : (1) When the study designs were analyzed six categories were identified (Literature reviews, Experiments, Surveys, Comparative study, Qualitative study, Others), and the majority of the studies were found to be Literature reviews (36.6%), or Experimental studies(39%), The number of studies on meditation has increased since the 1970's. (2) Most studies approached meditation with Zen and Yoga(72.5%) which were called concepts of Indian meditation from 1970's to the later of 1980's. TM(Transcendental Meditation) was used in the 1970's. (3) On the type of meditation, most studies used Zen meditation which was called a method of Buddhistic meditation(43.9%). (4) On the studies of meditation effect, most were about psychological changes(48.5%), and psychological changes and physiological changes(37.1%). (5) On the types of the study subjects it was found that 15 studies dealt with literature, nine studies investigated college students, and eight studies investigated the meditator. (6) Most of study showed the results of the meditation effect to be positive (80%). On the basis of the above findings the following recommendations are made : (1) It's necessary to do a reliable and variable analysis of research trends on meditation. (2) There is a need to study the effects of meditation in order to clarify meditation application in counseling.

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The Ten Ox Herding Pictures of Seon (Zen) Buddhism : A Jungian Consideration (곽암의 십우도(十牛圖) : 분석심리학적 고찰)

  • Bou-Yong Rhi
    • Sim-seong Yeon-gu
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.1-26
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    • 2010
  • The Ten Ox Herding Pictures by Kuo-an, a Zen Master of China in the Middle Ages are interpreted from the view point of the analytical psychology of C.G. Jung. Basically, I agree with the previous Jungian comments on it by M. J..Spiegelman, M.Miyuki, and H.Kawai at the Ox Herding Pictures are symbolic manifestations of the individuation process in terms of C.G.Jung. In connection with the process of Jungian analysis, I went through, not only the pictures but also the eulogies and critical comments of Zen masters in order to elucidate the symbolical meanings of each stage of spiritual development in Zen meditation. I noticed that the Ox Herding Pictures suggest the preference of suppression and conscious control of shadow in Jung's terms rather than its assimilation through making conscious the unconscious inferior personality. Also, the feminine psyche seems to be not particularly taken into consideration. In another words, different psychic aspects are represented in one single image : Ox. Due to the simplicity of pictorial expressions, the Ox Herding Pictures provide us possibilities to pour abundant imaginations into the pictures. The images comprise multiple irrational meanings; therefore it is warranted to render multiple interpretations of the Pictures as shown in the eulogies and comments by other Zen masters. The sequences of the Pictures need not coincide with a linear process but rather with a circular process of enlightenment, as Miyuki has suggested. Kuo-an's Pictures clearly suggest the danger of ego inflation and the fact that the final goal of Zen meditation should be the capability of the enlightened to serve the people.

Ideological Background the Garden of Mus$\bar{o}$ Soseki (무소 소세키(夢窓疎石)가 작정한 정원에 나타난 사상)

  • Choi, Mi-Young;Hong, Kwang-Pyo
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.31 no.4
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    • pp.123-128
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    • 2013
  • This study was performed with an aim to examine the inner thoughts of Muso Soseki through his works. In this study, we reviewed currently existing Mus$\bar{o}$ Soseki. Works in which his idea or intention behind his works are to be understood in terms of landscaping science or religious perspective. Targeting his best representative works of temple gardens such as Jochou-ji, Eiho-ji, Zuisen-ji, Tenryu-ji, it was sought his view of gardening and technique of garden making. Those temples, selected as target of this study, have significance as a places to have started his learning till matured of his thought into his gardening works. What we need to concentrate and think about regarding the works of Muso is the fact that we are to be impressed upon just looking at his works. The study result indicates that Muso not only symbolized his various mastered ideas & philosophies into spatial configuration into the garden based on Zen Buddhism idea, but also accomplished the Sabi-gardening beauty. Through his writing "Mongjoongmundap(夢中問答)" that is created using his core thoughts, his works can be understood better. This study has significance in that the idea. It could be understood that Muso's work is rooted in the basic idea of three ideas. The first of it is Zen philosophy being indicated in his configuration of gardening such as Zen meditation Stone, cave, chamdo etc. The second of it is shown as the merciful heart of Sangguboje(上求普提), Hahwajoongsaeng(下化衆生), being indicated in his configuration of gardening such as the pond And finally, there appears the Tao idea. Taoist thought has become of where the background space.

The thought of Prajnaparamita in Platform Sutra and Its Origin (『단경(壇經)』의 반약파라밀사상(般若波羅蜜思想)과 그 연원(淵源))

  • Lee, Bong Soon
    • The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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    • no.29
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    • pp.281-309
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    • 2010
  • The aim of this paper is to investigate the origin of prajñāpāramitā thought in Platform-Sutra, because the practices such as No-thought(無念)·No-image(無相)·No-staying(無住), Samadhi for one act(一行三昧), Seating meditation(坐禪) and Non- distinction of calmness and wisdom(定慧一體) are consolidated into the practice of prajñāpāramitā. The practice of No-thought, No-image and No-staying means an absolute stage which cannot be described in words. It is another expression of prajñā-samadhi or practice of prajñā -pāramitā whose concepts originate from Diamond-Sūtra, Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra, Mahāparinibbāna-sūtra, and Mahāprajñā-pāramitā-Sūtra. Samadhi for one act is to have an insight into the original nature in everyday life, which is a new development of practicing prajñāpāramitā. Seating meditation is another form of expression of Sudden Enlightenment to see into one's original nature(頓悟見性) through practicing prajñāpāramitā. This can be said a new kind of mixture of Buddhadhātu thought and prajñāpāramitā thought. Therefore prajñāpāramitā thought in Platform Sutra comes from Buddhadhātu thought and prajñāpāramitā thought. Those two thoughts consolidated in Platform Sutra, made the starting point of Zen Buddhism. At the same time, they further continued to be systemized into the thought of Zen Buddhism and eventually into the conclusion of Zen sect of Chinese Buddhism.

왕사정(王士禎)의 시가 창작과 이론에 대한 왕사록(王士祿)의 영향 고찰(考察)

  • Lee, Dong-Hun
    • 중국학논총
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    • no.61
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    • pp.155-179
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    • 2019
  • 淸初, 王士禎與長兄王士祿同上公車, 與海內文人論文定交, 一時馳聲藝苑, 傳譽京師, 人稱'二王'. 王士禎之所以成爲淸初詩壇領袖, 在文藝方面受到王氏前輩與兄弟的薰陶和影響. 家學的淵源是王士禎吸之不盡的營養寶庫. 王士禎對其兄弟們互相切磋. 勸學共勉, 尤其是長兄王士祿, 是王士禎詩的啟蒙人之一, 實際上是爲兄兼師, 對王士禎的詩歌創作與理論兩方面的影響無與論比的. 王士祿仕宦不達, 物役艱難, 尤經歷兩次被入獄的痛苦, 終生靠佛教, 又在香奩體詩見長, 故王士禎受到長兄王士祿的愛好. 王士祿的佛學修養對王士禎深有影響, 王士禎與不少禪僧交遊, 而且王士禎晩年自放逃禪, 深究佛理. 甚至, 王士禎所標榜的神韻說, 長期建樹在詩禪一致的角度, 其理論體系與參禪的原理與標準幾乎沒有差別, 所以嚴羽和王士禎共以禪喩詩, 從創作構思和作態度至於創作技巧, 皆與頓悟境地十分相似, 如王士禎《香祖筆記》卷八曰"捨筏登岸, 禪家以爲悟境, 詩家以爲化境, 詩禪一致, 等無差別. " 其次, 王士祿喜歡作香奩詩, 也有對王士禎的影響. 在中國古典詩歌的角度, 香奩詩不包含雅正文學的範圍, 反而有香奩詩爲淫靡之作的看法. 但是, 王士祿認爲香奩詩表現出人間純粹感情的抒情詩的特徵, 肯定香奩詩一定包含傳統抒情詩的領域, 具備登上中國詩歌之大雅之堂的資格. 王士禎同樣視香奩詩爲內質相同的文學, 甚至香奩詩也有諷諭功能, 能反映出當時現實與時代的眞相. 如此, 王士祿鼓吹香奩詩, 肯定重情思想, 這些顯然對王士禎産生了影響.

As a Pioneer of the mid-tang dynasty Monk's poem style of Ling-yi's Poem world & the significance in the history of literature (중당(中唐) 승려(僧侶) 시풍(詩風)의 선구자(先驅者) 영일(靈一)의 시세계(詩世界)와 문학사적(文學史的) 의미(意味) 고찰(考察))

  • Lee, Geing Min
    • Cross-Cultural Studies
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    • v.29
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    • pp.55-84
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    • 2012
  • This paper is to study the Tang Dynasty monk poet Ling-yi's poem world and his significance on history of literature. In Chinese literature history, "the monk poets" is a very unique literature creation group. The means of a word "the monk poet", from the literal can see " he is the monk that Can write poems", which is dedicated to professionally writing poetry monk. Buddhism spread to China, from the Wei and Jin Dynasty beginning has been writing poetry of the monks, but the real meaning of "the monk poet" (i.e., professionally poetry monk) appeared to the Mid-Tang Dynasty period. The monk Ling-yi is the pioneer of the monk poets group and Buddist monk creative poem in Mid-tang Dynasty period. Although the Lingyi life is very short, only 35 had died, and his poetry has not been too much, only 44 songs, but he in this life of 35 years and 44 poems, for the development of classical Chinese poetry left noticeable imprinting. He is not just as monk's high practice and by advocating for great Buddhist scholar, also through the daily meditation in poetry creation practice were obtained at that time of many men of literature and writing respected. This paper from the poem monk Ling-yi double identity - the first is a Buddhist monk, the second is addicted to poetry poet to proceed, step by step, in-depth study as the poem monk Ling-yi's poetry creation characteristic and the creative mentality characteristics. This thesis also explores the poem monk by the creation of poetry pursuit, exploration, finally realized "poem" and "Zen" together as one "Zen poetry" creation mechanism.