Zen Dualism
The Denial of the possibility for
Attaining Buddhahood in the Physical Reality
Mahayana Buddhism teaches the possibility for each individual to reveal the state of Buddhanature, through the practice of Bodhisattva. If this Mahayana concept is valid, then - along the long history of humanity - there must have been some individuals who attained the highest level of mind.
Zen implied denial of Mahayana Buddhism
Naturally, a mind of person who attained enlightenment, expressing compassion and wisdom, communicates and conveys messages through speech. But if - according to Zen - words are incapable of expressing the Buddha's mind, then the Buddha cannot use language to comunicate his/her mind to people. The implication is then that a Buddha cannot exist in reality, because living in a human reality requires speech of language, which - according to Zen - cannot convey the Buddha's mind.
If a Buddha cannot convey a message through words and voice, then Buddhahood - as a state of mind - cannot materialise in form of a human being. Buddhahood then is not possible to attain. This is the central idea of Zen, that it is futile to aim for Buddhahood, as Zen master Dogen plainly teaches:
“Cast aside all involvements and cease all affairs. ..Have no design on becoming a Buddha”.
http://www.thewayofmeditation.com.au/blog/zen-meditation/
Here is a clear case, in which the founder of "Zazen way of Zen" does not see a reason for having a design or willingness for becoming a Buddha, the highest state of life.
In the same time of "Have no design on becoming a Buddha" - Zen borrows from Mahayana Buddhism the teaching of the "Bodhisattva Vows" and practice. The Bodhisattva practice is necessary for attaining Buddhahood. Yet the same master who speaks about the Vows of Bodhisattva (including striving to attain Buddhahood) instructs to have "no desine to attain Buddhahood".
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Author: Safwan Zabalawi (Darshams)
Dualism: the basic perspective of Zen