Describe the Zen Buddhist Theory and Practices

Zen Buddhists believe that meditation is at the heart of their path towards knowledge. Their practice includes:

Journeys toward enlightenment
Rejection of traditional religious practices/components
Chanting
Practicing Koan

Meditation Theory

At the heart of Zen Buddhism is the practice of meditation. Although being passive is part of meditation, they also believe that meditation provides a gateway to knowledge. As you are meditating, you can open your heart and mind to answers. There are two ways in which a Buddhist might receive these sorts of answers.

Some Buddhists are atheists; therefore, they would believe that they receive the answers through their own peaceful state of mind.
Other Buddhists express belief in God or gods. These individuals could feel that they come closer to the higher power that they believe in through meditation.

In any case, the theory that meditation brings people closer to truth and provides a balance of mind overall is the central component of Zen Buddhism.

Practices of Zen Buddhists

Enlightenment

Achieving enlightenment is a primary role of the Zen Buddhist community. However, they do not believe that doing so is easy. They believe that everyone has a Buddha nature inside of him or her. However, the world has fallen down upon that pure nature, and our ability to see clearly is obscured and blocked by the troubles of the planet. Therefore, they meditate in hopes of removing that coating and zeroing in on what really matters.

Traditional Religious Elements

Interestingly, Zen Buddhists reject nearly all traditional religious elements. They do not believe in:

Attending traditional worship services
The study of scripture
Good works as a way of achieving enlightenment

It is hard to discuss any one component of the system of beliefs without returning to meditation. Since Zen Buddhists focus so much on meditation, they do not believe that any of these other acts can achieve the ultimate goal.

Chanting

Although Zen Buddhists do not have church services like many are used to, they do gather in public monasteries at times. However, they chant while they are there. Therefore, they do not necessarily have a standard service. Instead, they are participating in what is almost a sort of group meditation. Once again, we go back to the heart of the religion.

Koan

Letting go of worldly thoughts and limiting factors is a major part of meditation in the Zen Buddhist community. According to Points of Departure: Zen Buddhism with a Rinzai View by Eldo T. Shimano, koan is defined as "the place and the time and the event where truth reveals itself." Practicing Zen Buddhists are presented with situations that seem impossible to solve when thinking in practical, logical, worldly terms. They are encouraged to use their creativity to solve these complicated matters.

Begin Zen Practice with Meditation

Perhaps you are intrigued by elements of Zen Buddhism, but you do not want to give up your own religion. Zen Buddhism has traditionally been thought of as a religion, but it is also a philosophy. You might not be able to delve completely into the Zen Buddhist culture while still practicing all of the elements of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism, per say. However, you could incorporate meditation into your life as a way to relax, unwind, and to get to know yourself better.