Mel, I don't really care whether zen is Buddhist or not. However, one should appreciate Buddhism as the origin of the present day zen. Jusus or Mohamed did not initiate it, didn't they? Anthony
--- On Tue, 25/1/11, Mel <[email protected]> wrote: From: Mel <[email protected]> Subject: [Zen] Is Zen, Buddhist?(to Anthony/list) To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, 25 January, 2011, 9:34 AM Hello Anthony First of all, I'd like to thank you for all your postings. I'm learning quite a lot from you. However, a question please...do you think it matters whether Zen as a belief, is Buddhist or not? What's your opinion please in peace Mel --- On Tue, 25/1/11, Anthony Wu <[email protected]> wrote: There is no denying that the present forms of zen (Soto, Rinzai etc) developed from mahayana Buddhism. The 'jhana' practice before Buddhism can be traced to early Hinduism. In China, Laozi was approximately contemporary of Sakyamuni. So earlier than Hinduism (Brahmaism), we can only guess what people did. As regards 'cultures far removed from India', what have you read? Do you believe them? Anthony
