Are stoicism and zen basically the same philosophy expressed differently?

Question: Are stoicism and zen basically the same philosophy expressed differently!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

No, I think they're nowhere close!.

Stoicism is a humanistic philosophy that's mostly concerned with character and conduct!. Zen, as a variety of Buddhism, is not humanistic--it strives to deny physical reality in order to attain enlightenment!.

The stoic wants to live a disciplined, principled life for its own sake!. The zen buddhist wants to break the illusion of reality to attain nirvana!.

A stoic would value plain, straightforward speech!. The zen master values a good koan that cannot be answered!. The zen master would ask "what is the sound of one hand clapping" and the stoic would respond "one hand cannot clap" and both would be unsatisfied, the Zen because the stoic didn't meditate on the answer for the impossible quesiton, the stoic because the question has nothing to do with anything!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They are similar but actually different!. Stoicism is more pessimistic and less life-affirming!.!.!.

Zen has a touch of humour to it and is more 'open'!.!.!.Zen is founded on the Buddhist belief that everything is emptiness, hence one 'lets go' and grasps nothing!.!.!.!.and feeling free in the process!.!.!.

Zen also emphasises on 'grasping reality in the here and now'!.!.!.which is not an aspect of stoicism!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No!.

"One of the central points of Zen is intuitive understanding!. As a result, words and sentences have no fixed meaning, and logic is often irrelevant!. Words have meaning only in relation to who is using them, who they are talking to, and what situation they are used in!."
http://www!.ibiblio!.org/zen/faq!.html

That does not sound at all like:
"the Stoics [ ] managed to advance and to make significant progress in the epistemology of the causal nexus!."
http://www!.questia!.com/PM!.qst!?a=o&d=5687!.!.!.
or this:
"If you believe that x is good, you will desire x, and you will pursue x if you are at all able!."
http://maverickphilosopher!.powerblogs!.co!.!.!.
or this:
"Aristotle was rather optimist about the prospects of human development towards a happy
life!. Human beings have, according to him, a natural capacity to live together in a
community in which its members cultivate moral and intellectual virtues and live a social
life governed by reason!. This natural capacity does not only involve an ability to reach,
after reflection, an agreement with other members of the society!.!.!."
http://www!.helsinki!.fi/collegium/english!.!.!.

After all , it is hard to reach agreements with people using the faculty of reason, when "sentences have no fixed meaning, and logic is often irrelevant!."Www@QuestionHome@Com