The main trends in the research on Zen

The author presents the following main topics of research on Zen: the polemics concerning the history and orthodox character of Zen which are inseparably associated with the inveterate conflicts between the various Zen schools, the psychological and psycho-analytical interpretation (as well as its libertine variety, including "beat Zen"), the theory of Zen universalism (which is associated with the dialogue between Zen and Christianity), the so called, missionary trend in Zen and the debate on the philosophy of Zen. What is especially significant is that the author singles out the missionary trend in Zen, incorporating passages whose aim is to interest the readers in the practice of Zen (e.g. the answers of Zen masters to the questions posed by students). Due to their essayistic nature, the texts should not be treated as academic treatises on the philosophy of Zen. As a matter of principle, their authors avoid systematic philosophical analyses for the latter are regarded as an obstacle in the religious practice of Zen. It is very rare that the texts written by the same author may be qualified as belonging to two different trends. For instance, Daisetsu Teitarō Suzuki who in his missionary papers criticises the philosophical (intellectual) approach to Zen, is at the same time the author of an article on the philosophy of Zen.