According to Most Ven. Thich Thanh Tu, some common problems Zen practitioners often face are:
1. Wrong perceptions about self confidence which lead to overconfidence and arrogance: The practitioner thinks s/he has been practicing long enough, and up to a level that s/he no longer needs to listen to any Zen masters nor other practitioners. S/he does not show respect to any, even the Buddha, does not feel remorseful about him-/herself, and looks down upon all rituals and religious formalities.
2. Wrong perceptions about "freedom" or "liberation" in Zen. The practitioner thinks s/he has been practicing long enough, and up to a level that s/he no longer needs to follow any rules nor precepts. S/he becomes untamed.
3. The practitioner's words and deeds are contradictory. S/he enjoys Zen discussions, arguments, and knowledge show-off, but does not actually practice regularly and rigorously.
4. The practitioner neglects practice, becomes lazy, and does not have any self-discipline.
Source:
Thich Thanh Tu, Thien Tong Vietnam Cuoi The Ky 20. Written in Thuong Chieu Zen Monastery (1991). Circulated by Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen monasteries in Vietnam and abroad.
