Hello Steve and all ..And now comes out one of the major reasons why I left complicated Christianity for the much simpler Zen life...
I said before that I left for Zen earlier this year, but it was actually early last year, but anyway...I did cause a fair bit of annoyance during my stay with the 'flock' when I kept asking about the actual origins of Judaism. I don't think it would be impossible for University researchers to work the origins and ensuing development of the Christian faith, and then pass that knowledge onto the community. The origins of Judaism and all to do with the belief in the One and Only God...well, that's another matter Because I do not have access to sufficient and near-enough reliable resources from organizations that have absolutely no religious agendas of any sort but who are nevertheless dedicated to the mentioned research above solely for academic purposes...... not to mention the fact that... - I possess ZERO expertise in the ancient languages, and other academic skills at university level - the said/mentioned organizations above would probably struggle for funding (and maybe even limited in their activities according to some legal loop-hole) due to lack of support from the religiously-inclined conservatives/establishment in any country ...I have put forward the theory in a biblical forum that the God/Yahweh we know today might have actually been a pagan god of sorts selected amongst many (gods) by a highly influential and even powerful religious group(rabbinical/deuteronomical faction?) with strong political leanings, or agendas. There was no response to this but I think I can sense the feeling of consternation from many. I then asked the particular forum and another if anyone had any information, as I was really interested in seeing where my then beliefs actually came from. Gone now for quite some time of those days when one just listened to the priest/minister/nun (or church nut-cases), and then just believed as they do. Even my old Anglican priest was of no help, and even regarded me as something of a heretic whose biblical views/interpretations were suspect Well, I had another theory: the facts I've been asking for above would not serve the long-term interests of the US, Israel, and the rest of the West, nor even the Islamic world..should the said facts do come out, and far and wide. I was watching this program about the research on some supposed tomb beloging to Jesus himself. The research site/excavation/dig was managed by a devout Jewish scholar, but which was eventually closed down by the Israeli government. Why? Interesting Just imagine...for the world to find out that the same One God that all the mentioned BIG 3 believe in actually does not exist..wellllll...or at the very least, whose doubtful existence comes to light even if such is unproven even by the latest scientific instruments and other sources beyond reasonable doubt. I mean, where is this guy? In the middle of a stormy night, I stuck(or, raised) my fist(or, was it my finger?) at him and yet none of the lightning thereabouts came anywere near me for what must have been a couple of hundred miles...well..they were very far, anyway... Which brings the matter to Zen. I can't speak for Zen Buddhism..in fact, I won't even go near the subject. Zen however, has no god of any sort. We have no heavens, hellish places, devils, angels, arks(whether big ones filled with ostriches and elephants, or the one carried to crush the walls down of the unbelievers), or one man who will save all by his death alone. The angle of worship is towards the individual, not away from him/her. No one looks for some bright light(I think they call that Buddha) out there, and we don't pray. I don't(in fact, NEVER) chant at the temple, but read the passages instead, and no one complains. The way we lead our lives emanates from zazen itself. We sit and breath without thinking about anything...let alone have some special thoughts about a being from somewhere up there, from very far In my attempts to find the medium between a biblical and Zen life so I could have both(or so I thought), I joined the Quakers....and I didn't last even a full month. It does say in the bible not to add anything to Yahweh's laws, or one would commit sin. So, where does zazen fit in? A temple has idols and you bow to them after zazen and kinhin, and also other times. What is a Christian/Muslim/Jew to do under such circumstances? Does one read parts of the bible and abide by them, and then ignore the rest so one can lead a Zen way of life? I only got up to the end of the Book of Judges(or Ruth?) about 6 months ago(or something like that), and I noticed that rules for daily living had changed and kept changing as life went on for the ancient Hebrews..with authorization from Yahweh!! Incredible. I flicked through the later pages of the OldTestament and find out that Saul, David, Solomon and others had sinned incredibly, and yet are held in honour today by THE BIG 3. Why? How? How does all this fit in with Zen? It is said in our so-called scripture that it is the Bodhisattva's role to save others, and people suddenly equate that with Jesus...and even Mohammed, according to some odd creatures. Suddenly, Budda, Jesus, and the BIG 3 are all one and the same. How? Hard enough equating Tao with Buddha, but this? Buddha be praised Mel --- On Sat, 26/3/11, SteveW <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Chris. I happen to have a formal background in early Christian origins and history. If you would like to read an eye-opening book on the startling origin of Christianity, aimed at a layman, I recommend The Jesus Mysteries by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy. Steve
