Zen is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China, when Buddhists were introduced to Taoists.
Comparison chart
 | Buddhism | Zen |
|---|---|---|
| Use of statues and pictures | Common. Statues are used as meditation objects, and revered as they reflect the qualities of the Buddha. | As a symbolic reminder, which can be found in sculptures, arts, and architecture. |
| Belief of God | The idea of an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent creator is rejected by Buddhists. The Buddha himself refuted the theistic argument that the universe was created by a self-conscious, personal God. | believes in "buddhas" that can live forever and influence man kind in ways similar to the abilities attributed to "god(s)". this information comes from the late mahayana sutras and is opposite the oldest, original teachings (pali canon). |
| Place of origin | Indian subcontinent | China |
| Place of worship | Buddhist monasteries, temples, shrines. | Pagoda, Temple. |
| Clergy | The Buddhist Sangha, composed of bhikkhus (male monks) and bhikkhunis (female nuns). The sangha is supported by lay Buddhists. | monks, nuns. |
| Life after death | Rebirth is one of the central beliefs of Buddhism. We are in an endless cycle of birth, death and re-birth, which can only be broken by attaining nirvana. Attaining nirvana is the only way to escape suffering permanently. | Multiple births, ultimate Nirvana |
| Founder | The Buddha (born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama). | Founded by those who broke away from the original teachings of the Buddha or those who make adjustments to the teachings, during the Third Buddhist Council. |
| Practices | Meditation, the Eightfold Path; right view, right aspiration, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration | Regularly visit temple to meditate & to make offerings to the Buddha and donations to monks/nuns. |
| Literal Meaning | Buddhists are those who follow the teachings of the Buddha. | zen is the japanese translation of the chinese word "chan" which is the chinese word for "dhyana" which is the sanskrit word for the pali word "jhana" which means "meditation". |
| Human Nature | Ignorance, as all sentient beings. In the Buddhist texts, it is seen that when Gautama, after his awakening, was asked whether he was a normal human being, he replied, "No". | Man's desire for material things leads to suffering. |
| Marriage | It is not a religious duty to marry. Monks and nuns do not marry and are celibate. Advice in the Discourses on how to maintain a happy and harmonious marriage. | not specified in the sutras, likely varies greatly depending on which school of zen and in which country. |
| View of the Buddha | The highest teacher and the founder of Buddhism, the all-transcending sage. | Central figure of Zen. believed to exist in another realm and to be able to help humans. Although not heavily relied on in Zen, mostly the practitioner relies on himself or herself. |
| Goal of religion | To attain enlightenment and be released from the cycle of rebirth and death, thus attaining Nirvana. | To gain enlightenment |
| Means of salvation | Reaching Enlightenment or Nirvana, following the Noble Eightfold Path. | seeks enlightenment |
| Confessing sins | Sin is not a Buddhist concept. | Not discussed |
| Religious Law | The Dharma. | Dharma |
| Religion which atheists may still be adherents of | Yes. | Yes. |
| View of other Dharmic religions | Since the word Dharma means doctrine, law, way, teaching, or discipline, other Dharmas are rejected. | Zen is a Dharmic religion, and sees no contradiction to belonging to more than 1 religion. |
| Authority of Pope | N/A. | N/A. |
| Geographical distribution and predominance | (Majority or strong influence) Mainly in Thailand, Cambodia, Sri lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Japan, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Other small minorities exist in other countries. | Japan |
| Status of women | No distinctions between men and women. Women are equal to men, and men are equal to women in the Sangha. The Buddha gave Men and Women equal rights and a major part in the Sangha. | Women and men hold equal status. |
| Scriptures | Tripitaka - a vast canon composed of 3 sections: the Discourses, the Discipline and the Commentaries, and some early scriptures, such as the Gandhara texts. | No dogma. |
| Views on Other Religions | Being a practical philosophy, Buddhism is neutral against other religions. | Zen sees no contradiction to belonging to more than 1 religion. |
| Concept of Deity | According to some interpretations, there are beings in heaven's realms but they are also bound by "samsara". They may have less suffering but have not yet achieved salvation (nibbana) | believes in "Buddhas" which are immortal and exist in infinite numbers and have nearly every attribute usually given to deities of all religions. opposite what is taught in the oldest teachings (pali canon) validated by later mahayana texts. |
| Symbols | The conch, endless knot, fish, lotus, parasol, vase, dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma), and victory banner. | Ensō (Zen circle), often executed in one exhale. |
| Holy days/Official Holidays | Vesak day in which the birth, the awakening, and the parinirvana of the Buddha is celebrated. | Rohatsu, December 8th, celebrating Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. |
| View of other Abrahamic religions | N/A. | Zen is a Dharmic religion. Not an Abrahamic religion, and sees no contradiction in following more than one religion. |
| Goal of Philosophy | To eliminate mental suffering. | To free sentient beings from suffering. |
| Virtues in which religion is based upon | Compassion. | Compassion |
| Place and Time of origin | The origin of Buddhism points to one man, Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, who was born in Lumbini (in present-day Nepal). He became enlightened at Bodhgaya, India and delivered his first set of teachings at a deer park in Sarnath, India. | The Chan school of Buddhism. |
| Principle | This life is suffering, and the only way to escape from this suffering is to dispel one's cravings and ignorance by realizing the Four Noble Truths and practicing the Eightfold Path. | Zazen, the Dharma gate of joyful ease, is the one practice that leads to the realisation of true self/no self. |
| Sexual Conduct | The Buddha taught that a lay follower should subdue sexual misconduct, which includes consciously cheating on one's spouse, sexual intercourse with another's wife or husband, a minor, or an animal. Monks and nuns are celibate. | Do not "misuse" sexuality. |
Further Reading
For further reading, there are several books available on Amazon.com on Buddhism and principles of Zen:
Theravada 
Mahayana 
Buddhism 
Buddhism
Comments: Buddhism vs Zen
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