ABSTRACT
The theory behind Zen Buddhism is simple. It can be and has been endlessly complicated-possibly a form of resistance to its practice. The fact remains, however, that the theory is simple. It is, moreover, extremely empirical. That is to say, it can be verified in the experience of anyone. Zen Buddhism is a radical empiricism. The theory has two parts: the Buddhist and the Zen. According to Siddhartha, the Buddha, men's lives are predominantly unhappy. There is in each life, of course, some happiness. But by and large unhappiness is the lot of men. This result from the facts that everything changes and that men refuse to accept the change in selfish craving for stability. An example of the ceaseless change is death. In this case the refusal to accept change often takes form in the idea of personal immortality, i.e., the belief that one does not really die.
