The first of these types we call Bompu or "'ordinary"' Zen.
Bompu Zen, being free from any philosophic or religious content, is for anybody and everybody. It is a Zen practiced purely in the belief that it can improve both physical and mental health. Through the practice of Bompu Zen you learn to concentrate and control your mind.
The second of the five kinds of Zen is called Gedo. Gedo means literally "an outside way" and so implies, from the Buddhist point of view, teachings other than Buddhist. Here we have a Zen related to religion and philosophy but not yet a Buddhist Zen. Hindu yoga, the quietist sitting of Confuciucianism, contemplation practices in Christianity, all these belong to the category of Gedo Zen.
The third type of Zen is Shojo, literaly meaning "small vehicle". This is the vehicle or teaching that is to take you from one state of mind [delusion] to another [enlightenment]. This small vehicle is so named because it is designed to accommodate only one's self.
The fourth classification is called Daijo, great vehicle Zen, and this is truly Buddhist Zen, for it has as its central purpose kensho-godo, that is, seeing into your essential nature and realizing the Way in your daily life. Zen Buddhism is essentially a religion of enlightenment. So it can be said that a Zen which ignores or denies or belittles enlightenment is not true Daijo Buddhist Zen.
Saijojo Zen, the last of the five types, is the highest vehicle, the culmination and crown of Buddhist Zen. This Zen was practiced by all the Buddhas of the past-namely, Shakyamuni and Amida-and is the expression of Absolute Life, life in its purest form. It involves no struggle for satori or any other object, we call it shikan-taza.
(THE THREE PILLARS OF ZEN, Tea ching, Practice and Enlightenment by roshi Philip Kapleau)
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