Zen or Japanese Buddhism is one of the spiritually intertwined Eastern religions par excellence that has changed the perspective on reality and, ultimately, on life. One of the main historical thinkers responsible for the manifestation of Zen is Dogen Zenju. He established the importance of meditation as the primary vehicle of awareness. Furthermore, Dogen established that “Buddhist practice is simply the meditative practice of achieving enlightenment,” also called zazen (Koller, 278). This practice provides the individual with the know-how to release all aversion into the world, which leads to suffering. Dogen's most famous work, the Shobogenzo, was explained by his writings in the Genjo-Koan which aids in the discovery of his main philosophical teachings of Zen. Zen Buddhism has lived through time and is prominent globally today. The ideals that originated in Japan through Dogen's teachings would have a great effect on the contemporary individual, because they provide a new philosophical lens through which to view world processes. Through legendary history and unique philosophy, Zen Buddhism has established itself as a religion par excellence that has immense value globally. The fundamental roots of Zen Buddhism originated in China, where it was coined in the native language, Ch'an. Focus of Buddhist Philosophy Deriving from ancient Japanese Shinto traditions, which aimed to fully synthesize “spiritual and material,” Zen emphasizes that there is no purpose intellectually (Koller). This ideal highlights the importance of the insignificance of the study of the physical world. These original Buddhist ideals were established by the “legendary Bodidharma,” who emphasized their power and importance… middle of paper… the physicist of Zen Buddhism is deeply interested in the idea of ​​unrealized reality. This sets the stage for how he believes individuals can proceed to understand this misunderstood meaning of existence. The philosophy of Zen Buddhism provides a unique vehicle in which to view and understand life. Work Cited: Koller, John M. Asian Philosophies. Ed. Craig Campanella. Edition ed. vol. Sixth. Np: Pearson, 2011. Print."Chronology of Heilbrunn art history." Zen Buddhism. Np, nd Web. April 28, 2014. Takagi, Dana Y. “Form and Void: Globalization, Liberalism, and Buddhism in the West.” Amerasia Journal 34.1 (2008): 1-29. Print.Whalen-Bridge, John. “Enlightenment (Zen Buddhist).” Theory, Culture and Society 23.2 (2006): 179-80. Print."Zen Buddhism." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition (2013