A criticism of Zen's alleged lack of moral foundations, from a Western philosophical viewpoint.

"What Zen recommends as the way of enlightenment -- becoming one with the ultimate reality -- is simply another form of the Satanic promise to Eve: "you shall be as God." Even so, for many, it may not be obvious that Zen enlightenment is the very essence of sin. It is only with serious consideration of ethical issues -- the place where philosophy confronts historical particularity --that Zen is clearly exposed as pretense." [PDF]