Source: Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions

“Many are fascinated by Zen, even though Zen teaches them to believe in ‘nothing’ and that they are only illusions, and its beliefs are contradictory. The founder of Zen is popularly considered to be Bodhidharma, who brought it to China around 520 A.D. Zenists presume that there is no objective world ‘out there’—everything is an illusory manifestation of ‘Only Mind.’ Zenists deny the existence of sin because there is ‘no self’ but in Christianity, we are personal individuals who need redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Zen, the individual has no value (no self exists) while in Christianity the individual has eternal value (created in God’s image). In Zen, there is extinction at death, but in Christianity there is personal immortality in heaven at death. In Zen, there is no God, but in Christianity is a loving God who is perfect in every way. In Zen, there is the destruction of personal morality with all that this entails, while in Christianity there is an absolute morality centered on the character of the good God. In Zen, there is no meaning of life (nihilism), but in Christianity, there is meaning in life now and forever in eternity. Even in all its alleged glory, Zen offers no answers. Indeed, nothing exists, so how can there be answers, let alone an eternal home in Zen? Even after ‘enlightenment,’ Zenists still do not know definitely what the ultimate purpose of life is. This is in stark contrast to Christian belief. Jesus did tell us the ultimate purpose of life when He said ‘this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent’ (John 17:3).”

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can receive Him into your heart, and He can deliver you from darkness and sin and have your name written in His Book of Life.

If you are sincere, you can say this simple prayer to the Father (it doesn’t have to be word for word):

“God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. Please forgive me of all of my sins, just as I forgive others. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross, I believe in my heart Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in the Lord and GOD Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.”