Dhyāna in Buddhism the Japanese Rinzai school, but it also occurs in other schools or branches of Zen depending on the teaching line. The Zen student's mastery of a given kōan is presented to the teacher in a private interview (referred to in Japanese as "dokusan" (独参), "daisan" (代参), or "sanzen" (参禅)). While there is no unique answer to a kōan, practitioners are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the kōan and of Zen through their responses. The teacher may approve or disapprove of the answer and guide the student in the right direction. The interaction with a Zen teacher is central in
Reality in Buddhism Reality in Buddhism Reality in Buddhism is called "dharma" (Sanskrit) or "dhamma" (Pali). This word, which is foundational to the conceptual frameworks of the Indian religions, refers in Buddhism to the system of natural laws which constitute the natural order of things. "Dharma" is therefore reality as-it-is ("yatha-bhuta"). The teaching of Gautama Buddha constituting as it does a method by which people can come out of their condition of suffering ("dukkha") involves developing an awareness of reality ("see" mindfulness). Buddhism thus seeks to address any disparity between a person's view of reality and the actual state of things. This is