[ED] Perhaps Zen and Vipassana have slightly different paths to the same goal.
I think we can confidently take it that they both aim (or in Zen-speak: an
'aimless aim') towards an awkening to our true nature. Vipassana states that
our mind has become tainted by defilements over time (kleshas) and insight
meditation helps to pull these defilements out by the roots until our mind can
no longer 'pull' us into karmic-inducing actions. I never liked the word
'defilement' because it smeems to have this moralistic judgemental flavour to
it. Rather, it can be viewed as a 'corruption' in the same way your computer
can be corrupted. For example, you see the image of a beautiful man/woman and
begin fantasizing over them. This in turn creates pleasant sensations in the
body/mind which we try to recreate over and over, but can never completely
satisfy us. Vipassana takes right into those sensations/desires systematically
(as in the nyanas) and eradicates them so they no longer have a hold on us.
It's very much a science of meditation. Zen just
says, 'Open your eyes - you're already awake. No work to do.'
[ED] Efficacy in attaining what objectives?
See above
Mike
