Absolute, Relative Flashcards
What does the Absolute refer to in Zen?
The Absolute refers to ultimate reality—undivided, beyond duality.
What does the Relative refer to in Zen?
The Relative is the world of distinctions and forms that we experience daily.
How are the Absolute and Relative related?
They are not separate but interdependent, like two sides of the same coin.
What does the ocean represent in the context of the Absolute?
The ocean represents the vast, boundless, undivided nature of reality.
What do the waves represent in the context of the Relative?
The waves represent individual experiences, identities, and changes in life.
How do we often perceive ourselves in relation to the Absolute?
We often see ourselves as individual ‘waves’ (separate beings) but are part of the same vast ocean of existence.
What does silence represent in the context of the Absolute?
Silence represents the formless, boundless nature of reality.
What do sounds represent in the context of the Relative?
Sounds represent distinct and temporary experiences like voices, music, and traffic.
How are silence and sound related?
Without silence, there is no awareness of sound, and without sound, silence is not noticed.
What does Zen invite us to recognize about the Absolute and Relative?
Zen invites us to see that the Absolute is always present within the Relative.
What is the benefit of recognizing the relationship between the Absolute and Relative?
Recognizing this brings a deeper sense of peace and clarity in daily life.
