Ed, I guess I don't rely on definitions in the same way, when discussing a topic here. I don't worry about being perfectly precise. I understand a cult as a group headed by a charasmatic leader , who has devoted followers and usually is vested in power or authority as the "mission" is transmitted to others. I just thought Steve or others might have a comment on the paragraph I cited. It sounds cult-ish to me. The scariest words in the universe for me? "Blind obedience". Hope all is well with you.. Kristy
--- On Fri, 2/18/11, ED <[email protected]> wrote: From: ED <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] An Article of Interest To: [email protected] Date: Friday, February 18, 2011, 12:28 PM Based on any of the definitions below, Zen appears not to be a cult. --ED Definitions of cult on the Web: followers of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices fad: an interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that season" followers of an unorthodox, extremist, or false religion or sect who often live outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader a religion or sect that is generally considered to be unorthodox, extremist, or false; "it was a satanic cult" wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn Cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices could be, reasonably or unreasonably, considered strange. The term was originally used to denote a system of ritual practices. ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult --- In [email protected], Kristy McClain <healthyplay1@...> wrote: > Hi Steve, There are many ideas in the article you post. In light of your discussion with Mike on a different thread about zen sects and religion, and the clipped paragraph below, how is all this different from a cult? That parallel was one of the things that kept me at a distance-- to co-exist with my skeptical trust level. Kristy "Students, for their part, develop a desire for the master's aura, recognition, and approval. They also learn to kow-tow to his authority and legitimacy. Further, they learn quickly that their advancement up the institutional ladder is completely dependent upon the master's good graces. Because the Dharma transmitted Zen master acts not in his own name and authority, but rather as the only full delegate of the institution, with all the authority and power that entails, he also monopolizes the means to salvation. So, we can understand that there might be multiple motives for 'not seeing' the master as he really is, whether there be an absence of compassion or wisdom or the presence of sexual improprieties or alcoholism. This is what psychiatrists call 'negative hallucination,' i.e., keeping unconscious something that we perceive." Hello. Here is the link to a very interesting article on the topic of Zen scandals in America by Stuart Lachs entitled The Zen Master in America: Dressing the Donkey with Bells and Scarves http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/Zen_Master_in_America.html Steve
