What does Zen Buddhism emphasize?

Zen Buddhism emphasizes meditation and direct experience as means to enlightenment. This tradition places a significant focus on zazen, which is seated meditation, and encourages practitioners to experience reality directly rather than through intellectual analysis or dogma. Zen teachings often highlight the importance of personal experience and mindfulness in the present moment, aiming to attain a state of enlightenment known as satori.

In Zen practices, direct, unmediated experiences are prioritized over ritualistic elements or philosophical discourse. While discussions and teachings might exist, they serve to guide practitioners towards their own subjective understanding and realization rather than forming the foundation of practice itself. The emphasis on meditation allows practitioners to cultivate awareness and insight beyond conventional thought patterns, which is central to Zen's approach to spiritual growth.