THE CONCEPT OF THE ILLUSORY WORLD AND THE PHENOMENON OF THE PRESENT IN ZEN BUDDHISM: CONSTRUCTING THE NOTION OF REALITY AND ITS CULTURAL MANIFESTATIONS

Zen Buddhism holds that the world is illusory and that the present moment is the only authentic dimension of reality, forming a non-conceptual mode of being. The article examines the doctrines of emptiness (śūnyatā) and illusion (māyā) as foundations for existential practices like kenshō, satori, zazen, and koan practice, which dismantle fixed notions of self and world. These principles shape Japanese cultural expressions—haiku, Noh and Kabuki theatre, and the tea ceremony—where the sacred and mundane merge. The study concludes that Zen reveals limits of representational language and offers a paradigm of religious experience without the transcendent, inviting rethinking of reality, identity, and cultural difference.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background and Relevance: This article investigates the concept of the illusory nature of the world and the phenomenon of the present moment as core principles of Zen Buddhism that shape a radically non-conceptual mode of being and an alternative construction of reality. The relevance of the research stems from the increasing scholarly interest in challenging dominant Western ontological and epistemological paradigms through the lens of Zen thought, which privileges direct, non-representational experience over conceptual abstraction.Purpose and Objectives: The primary aim of the study is to analyze the ontological and epistemological foundations of the doctrine of śūnyatā (emptiness) and māyā (illusion) in Zen Buddhism, alongside the practical dimensions of experiencing the present through such methods as kenshō, satori, zazen, and koan practice. Furthermore, the paper explores how these ideas manifest in Japanese aesthetics and ritual culture, revealing the unity of philosophy, practice, and art within Zen.Current Research: Drawing on the contributions of key scholars including Bernard Faure, Steven Heine, Robert Sharf, David Loy, and Jin Y. Park, the article contextualizes Zen’s deconstructive approach within broader apophatic discourse and post-structuralist thought. The study also integrates perspectives from cognitive science and comparative philosophy, highlighting the interdisciplinary potential of Zen for contemporary humanities.Main Findings: The paper demonstrates that the notion of illusion in Zen is not merely theoretical relativism but the basis of a profound existential practice aimed at dismantling fixed notions of self and world. The present moment is understood as the only ontologically authentic dimension wherein true presence can occur, unobstructed by cognitive constructs. The research further shows how these principles have shaped various forms of Japanese cultural expression—haiku poetry, Noh and Kabuki theatre, and the tea ceremony—where the boundary between sacred and mundane dissolves, and each gesture becomes an enactment of mindful presence.Conclusion: The study concludes that Zen Buddhism offers valuable insights for philosophy of language, comparative religion, and intercultural studies by demonstrating the limits of representational language and articulating a paradigm of religious experience “without the transcendent.” This approach invites a rethinking of reality, identity, and cultural difference, providing fertile ground for further exploration in philosophy of consciousness, embodied phenomenology, and posthumanist theory.