Bill, 'Chi' has a widespread meaning. When it is referred to as 'cosmic chi' it is spiritual. But when it comes down to bodily chi flows along the 'jingluo' system, which is widely studied in Chinese medicine, and borne out by electric resistance devices, it is physical and real. It can be felt and it heals diseases. Your statement about spirit is in conformity with zen literature I read. However, literature, including your idea, never explains what spirit is. Does it exist? Furthermore, what is consciousness? Does it exist? Is there anything more than 30 cane beatings from you, and Joshu, perhaps? Gotama also avoided reply to the question of 'is the world finite, infinite, either or both?' But he showed ways of overcoming suffering. What is zen for? Anthony
--- On Thu, 7/4/11, Bill! <[email protected]> wrote: From: Bill! <[email protected]> Subject: [Zen] Re: Does Zen contain spirituality? To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, 7 April, 2011, 10:00 AM JMJM, It's about 8A here. I've been up since 6A and have had my moring cup of tea - my personal favorite caffeine delivery device. I'll embedd my comments in your original post below: > > > JMJM: > > > I have heard many people say, "I am spiritual but not religious." > > > > > > What does "am spiritual" mean? To answer this question we need to know what 'spiritual' and 'religious' means, and especially what the differences are. We also have to assume that the people you quoted are using the words correctly and all the same. That's probably not true, but without interrogating each of them we'll just have to assume they are. *** All definitions are from Merriam-Webster Online *** SPIRITUAL The root of 'spiritual' is 'spirit' , which is defined as: "1: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms 2: a supernatural being or essence" So now we have to find out what 'supernatural' means: Again, according to Merriam-Webster it means: "1: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe; especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil 2:a : departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature b : attributed to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit)" RELIGIOUS The root of 'religious' is 'religion', which is defined as: "b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural" Since 'supernatural' is used in both we should find out what 'natural' means: "a : the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence" So...from all of the above I'd say both 'spiritual' and 'religious' have to do with things that are 'supernatural' - above or beyond the essence of things. And the difference is 'spiritual' only implies belief in the supernatural, where 'religious' implies service or worship or the supernatural. > > > > > > In your opinion, does Zen contain spirituality? > > > Zen Buddhism I think does include 'spitituality' from the layers of Buddhism in which it is encased. In my opinion zen (lower case 'z' which for me implies zen practice devoid of Buddhism or any other religion) is only about 'essence' (in fact the term 'Buddha NATURE' is often used - which just means 'pure essence' or 'raw awareness') and does not recognize anything above or beyond that, such as anything 'supernatural'. The zen I pracitce does not depend or refer to anything 'supernatural'. Therefore in my opinion zen is not spiritual. > > > If yes, then what is spirituality? What is a spirit? Is there such a thing? > > > I've given the definitionof spirituality and spirit above. In my opinion these are illusory. To put it into the perpective of Chan (from what you've taught me about Chan) I think 1) the concept of 'chi' would be an excellent example of 'spirit' ; 2) the belief in 'chi' would be an excercise in spiritualty; and 3) the service or worship of 'chi' would be a religious act. From what you've said about Chan I think it incorporates 1 and 2, but not 3 above. > > > If not, then what is Zen for? Live a better life? If so, does it mean a > > > happier life? If so, then is happiness a spiritual state? Is our mental > > > state a spiritual state? Is there a difference? > > > The answer to 'what is Zen [Buddhism] for?' is up to each individual. I'm sure for some it's practiced for peace-of-mind or health or ??? Maybe some Zen Buddhists on this site will add their opinions on what they think 'Zen is for'. The zen I practice is not 'for' anything, anymore than a tree is 'for' something - or a river or the moon. It isn't 'for' anything (although I'm sure 'men of science' could come up with lots of roles that trees and rivers and the moon play in our enviornment, and therefore could extrapolate of what they're 'for'. The zen I practice just 'is', in fact it is my essence - or more correctly stated 'just essence' , Just THIS! What is JMJM for? Labels, valuations such as 'happier' or 'happiness' are illusory, and as such are transitory. You can't have happy without having sad, and you can't have either until you create 'self' so there is 1) something that can be or feel happy/sad, and 2) other NOW's (Just THIS!) that you could compare to this NOW in order to make the judgement as to whether this NOW is happier/sadder, better/worse, etc... than the other NOW. Why bother? > > > When we reach samadhi, kensho, satori, etc. is it a spiritual state? > > > Mental state? Or just a state without label? > > > It is not a spiritual state, nothing supernatural. It is the quintessencial natural act. It is 'essence'. It is called Buddha Nature. It exists before labels are created. > > > You could say, Zen can not be described, then I have not asked this > > > question.:-) > > > I'm certainly glad to have not asked this question, and to thank you I have not responded. ...Bill!
