Hi Jennifer, You have asked where, what, how about Donald. Since Fudo Sensei posted that he is more Asian than others. The following is about me.
I was born in Shanghai, raised in Taiwan, Catholic high schooled in Japan, EE at Berkeley in the 60s. with Buddhist Grandma, Protestan Father. I loved Nietsche, Watts, Krishnamurti, as well as being a choir conductor at church. Four different versions of Ave maria were hymmed constantly by me. A sort of realy mixed up, jammed together but happy go lucky fellow most of the time. Deep down, I know there is an answer for all my questions somewhere. There is got to be something more than just living happily. Then I encountered, "Learn without words. Transmit without formality." These words made more sense to me than most of the philosophers, bibles, theories, religions, etc. These words sort of combined all of them together. It was from a Taiwanese School of Chan (pronounced Zen in Japan). I was then taught and practiced Sitting Zen (exact same Chinese characters as Zazen in Japanese). I practiced nothing but Sitting for three years in Los Angeles, taught by one of our Master's disciple, Jue Miao Young Lian(age 69). This Sitting of ours, is very demanding with detailed charts, procedures and energy flows. (Available on our website) In these years of half lotus, I witness changes in many practitioners, some physical, some mental, some spiritual. Being an engineering major, I tried hard to apply logic to explain everything that I have witnessed. But I was not successful. There were too many phenomenon just can not be explained by logic, science, words. In general, those who do practice dilligently do become happier, healthier and easier to be with, including myself. It took me four years, to have my internal Chi flowing to all my chakras and channels without obstruction. Then the concept of "Purity, Wisdom, Consummation and Enlightenment" was taught to me. These are our guidelines to our own enlightenment. I guess I was considered ready to begin the practice of fulfillment, consummation and carrying the karma of others. For the first fifteen years, our Master taught only Sitting Zen and these four words. Without any sutras, because without having a somewhat clean body and mind to receive, words can be confusing, interpretive and even self-serving. Words and concepts are dangerous and do create karma. Even after I was ordained to be a teacher, I am still reminded to beware of the Eight Winds. The bigger the Buddha, the bigger the Devil. As you can perceive by now, our school is very rigid and structured. Everything is well defined. Yet to understand, to witness and to absorb the Dharma requires effort, dedication, fortitude, etc. (Six Acts of Perfection) In our school, we talk less and Sit More. You may probably notice that I often say, "Practice and you shall witness." It also means, don't think, don't analyze, don't argue, just experience through your spirit(or chi). We are each Buddha within. Each school is different. Karma and Cause & Effect (not words, but witness) placed each of us at different schools. These are our journey and our challenge. As long as we remain an open heart, we shall be able to live through every word in Diamond Sutra. Diamond Sutra like Heart Sutra are not just guidelines to be studied, chanted or analyzed, they are also our experiences. Chan is well defined in our school. It is the life force and wisdom of the universe. It is to be connected to and synchronized with. We all can. Just have to practice. With Best Intentions To Everyone, _/\_ Jue Miao Jing Ming (My Dharma Name) --------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.
