In a world often marked by division, the search for truth can bring various cultural and spiritual traditions into fruitful conversation. This blog post explores insights from Hui Neng (638–713), the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism, and Dōgen (1200–1253), the founder of the Sōtō school of Japanese Zen. Their teachings on simplicity, mindfulness, and the direct experience of reality shed light on practices that, while rooted in Buddhism, offer points of reflection for Catholics seeking deeper prayer and contemplation. In doing so, this article draws on Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church to ensure our discussion remains in harmony with Catholic teaching (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997).

1. Setting the Stage: Zen and the Catholic Church

1.1 Catholic Openness to Other Traditions

The Second Vatican Council’s document Nostra Aetate affirms that truth is present in many world religions and calls the faithful to “recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among” other faith traditions (Vatican Council II, 1965, no. 2). Thus, exploring the teachings of Hui Neng and Dōgen does not mean adopting the entirety of Zen Buddhism. Instead, it involves discerning spiritual insights that can illuminate and deepen our Catholic faith in Christ (cf. CCC 843).

1.2 Scriptural Foundations: The Interior Life

Scripture consistently points believers to the interior dimension of faith: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NRSV). Jesus teaches that prayer is at its most profound when carried out in the “secret place” (Matthew 6:6, NRSV). The Catechism clarifies that “the heart is the dwelling-place where I am, where I live” (CCC 2562). These biblical injunctions harmonize with Zen’s emphasis on silent introspection and interior awakening.

2. Hui Neng: Sudden Enlightenment and “No-thought”

2.1 The Sixth Patriarch’s Key Teaching

Hui Neng is traditionally credited with the Platform Sutra, a foundational text in Chinese Chan Buddhism. His core contribution is the doctrine of “sudden enlightenment,” emphasizing that one’s true nature is ever-present and does not require gradual cultivation to be realized (Hui Neng, 2007). According to Hui Neng, the primary obstacle is our tendency to cling to fleeting thoughts and attachments, rather than recognizing the innate purity of our minds.

2.2 Catholic Resonances

For Catholics, this concept resonates with the idea that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27, NRSV) and is called to holiness (CCC 2013). While Catholic tradition typically envisions a lifelong journey of sanctification, there is also a recognition that God’s grace can bring powerful transformations in moments of conversion. For instance, St. Paul’s dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19, NRSV) demonstrates that God can work instantly in a soul.

Hui Neng’s teaching on “no-thought” (i.e., living without clinging to self-centered thinking) can remind Catholics of the need to remain constantly aware of God’s presence and not be dominated by anxieties. Indeed, St. Paul instructs the faithful: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NRSV).

3. Dōgen: “Just Sitting” (Shikantaza) and Continuous Practice

3.1 The Founder of Sōtō Zen

Dōgen’s most famous work, the Shōbōgenzō (“Treasury of the True Dharma Eye”), is a seminal text of Japanese Zen. Dōgen emphasized “shikantaza,” or “just sitting,” a form of zazen (sitting meditation) that involves alert, objectless awareness (Dōgen, 2007). This practice is grounded in the belief that meditation is not merely a method to attain enlightenment later but an expression of one’s inherent awakened nature in the present moment.

3.2 A Catholic Perspective on Contemplation

Catholic contemplative prayer also centers on present-moment awareness of God. As the Catechism explains, “Contemplative prayer is the simple expression of the mystery of prayer. It is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus” (CCC 2713). Though the theological framework differs, one finds a convergent emphasis on silence, presence, and openness to mystery.

Dōgen’s stress on continuous practice aligns with the Catholic understanding that prayer is meant to pervade every aspect of one’s life (CCC 2742). Just as Dōgen viewed everyday activities—eating, washing dishes, walking—as opportunities to express awakened awareness, Catholic tradition upholds the call to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NRSV). In essence, every moment is an invitation to deepen our relationship with God.

4. Balancing Discernment and Appreciation

4.1 Avoiding Syncretism

The Catholic Church warns against uncritical syncretism—blending disparate religious teachings in ways that compromise central aspects of the Christian faith (CCC 846–848). When examining Zen teachings, Catholics must maintain the primacy of Christ and the sacraments as the ordinary means of salvation (CCC 1113). Yet this does not preclude finding genuine value and practical wisdom in non-Christian traditions.

4.2 The Call to Holiness

Zen’s focus on awakening to reality can serve as a reminder of the universal call to holiness. In Catholicism, holiness involves ever-deepening participation in the life of Christ. As Pope Francis notes, “Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church” (Gaudete et Exsultate, 9). Zen practice can inspire a humble attentiveness to the present moment—thereby complementing, rather than replacing, the sacramental life, Scripture, and the rich heritage of Christian prayer.

5. Concluding Reflections

In sum, the teachings of Hui Neng and Dōgen underscore the importance of silent awareness, interior conversion, and the unbounded potential for spiritual awakening. For Catholics, these insights echo the contemplative tradition championed by the Desert Fathers, mystics like St. John of the Cross, and the Church’s call to ceaseless prayer.

Learning from Zen does not mean compromising Catholic identity. Rather, it invites an encounter that can deepen one’s appreciation for silence, prayer, and the boundless presence of God. As we continue our journey of faith, let us recall how Scripture calls us to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Romans 12:2, NRSV)—a transformation that can be nurtured by prayerful stillness in God’s loving presence, enriched by insights from many spiritual traditions.

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). (1997). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Dōgen. (2007). Shōbōgenzō: Zen essays by Dōgen (T. Cleary, Trans.). University of Hawai‘i Press. (Original work written 1231–1253)

Hui Neng. (2007). The Platform Sutra: The Zen teaching of Hui-neng (J. Yampolsky, Trans.). Columbia University Press.
(Original work c. 8th century)

New Revised Standard Version Bible. (1989). Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Pope Francis. (2018). Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad). Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Vatican Council II. (1965). Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions). In The Documents of Vatican II.