Bill!, Read your post just after sending my last one. I sit someone where in the middle. (Zen) Buddhism is a philosophy with a systematic, practical application regarding how to live in the world. One without the other leaves us swimming in world of delusion and suffering. You're right tho, many people (not all) cling to the outward form (sutras, chanting, even zazen) giving Zen the outward appearance of a religion.
Mike ________________________________ From: Bill! <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, 28 March, 2011 18:25:23 Subject: [Zen] Re: Is Zen a religion? Steve, >From what I've seen it's mainly in Western intellectual circles that Buddhism and/or Zen is regarded primarily as a philosophy. As far as I can tell that allows Western intellectuals to embrace parts of Buddhism and Zen without the danger of being labled as religious, at which most intellectuals look down their noses. Buddhism can be regarded as a card game or a game show anything else. The fact of the matter (in my opinion) is the majority of people in the US and the World regard it as I have indicated below. ...Bill! --- In [email protected], "SteveW" <eugnostos2000@...> wrote: > > > > --- In [email protected], "Bill!" <BillSmart@> wrote: > > > > JMJM, > > > > In my opinion: > > > > US PERCEPTIONS > > - Buddhism is considered a religion - albeit a quirky one. > > - Zen Buddhism is considered a sect of Buddhism. > > > > WORLD PERCEPTION > > - Buddhism is considered a religion. > > - Zen Buddhism is considered a sect of Buddhism - albeit a quiky one. > > > > ...Bill! > > > > Hi Bill! Oh, Buddhism itself can be properly regarded as a philosophy > > rather >than a religion. There is an interesting book by Stephen Batchelor entitled >Buddhism Without Beliefs. Mr. Batchelor received Dharma transmission, if I am >not mistaken, in the Korean form of Zen. > Steve >
