What are the primary similarities and differences between Kabbalah and Zen Buddhism?

Answer 1

Eastern teaching are built on the nullification of desires, or at least on their complete suppression, whereas Kabbalah states that the Creator can be sensed precisely by expressing the desire for Him (and certainly not by nullifying it), only by inverting the aim of its use. Perhaps they are very similar on the outside. The sensations of the Eastern teaching are built on the suppression of one's desire to enjoy. A person who suppresses his ego feels in that passive state something that seems spiritual. That is why there appears to be some resemblance in the description of the approach of Kabbalah, but in truth, there is an enormous difference in the expression of the ego and its treatment. To a Kabbalist, who is in the spiritual world, the roots and differences between the various beliefs and faiths are very clear. But it's a path which depends on efforts and study. www.kabbalah.info For a more rounded approach to this answer, view the discussion.