Chris/Mel, God, Buddha or Kuanyin are above gender, as they are bodhisatvas or higher. For instance, the Indian equivalent of Kuanyin Avalokiteshvara is described as male. When he emigrated to Tibet, he keeps the gender, even now. After he is absorbed into the Chinese culture, a female form has appeared, because the people there think women are more compassionate (when they are in a good mood). It is up to you to think about the deity as a male or female or above both, depending on how you will use them in your mind. Anthony
--- On Fri, 13/5/11, Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> wrote: From: Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] God..mother or father? To: [email protected] Date: Friday, 13 May, 2011, 8:06 AM What I tell my kids is that some times people need to relate to God as "he" and sometimes as "she" and sometimes as neither, and that this need for gender comes from us, but God is more than willing to meet us where ever we are. Gender as an innate and universal category for classifying the world has been breaking down for some time in the west. My daughter has a Kuan Yin statue and a Gautama statue, but we say the Lord's prayer at bedtime, just as my mother did with me. --Chris On Thu, May 12, 2011 at 5:30 AM, Mel <[email protected]> wrote: Wow...my old and former Anglican priest just sent me an email indicating his understanding that God as such is both father, and mother. That's quite a revelation from the conservative establishment. Is it possible that there are renegade priests out there who are influenced by the Buddha and Tao? In the church's men's dinner he had invited me in some weeks ago, he had also asked me if there was any chance that I may give the Quakers another chance, and I said no. I never gave this particular moment much thought...until now In Zen, we know for a fact that Siddhartha was male, but 'buddha' as such that we recognize today has no form of whatever sort...be it solid, liquid, or gas. Yet there are some who recognize the male and female of the BigMind/Big I..refered to by some Zen practitioners as Buddha I have 2 Buddha statues in my room...the proper Buddha, and the laughing Chinese variety. There's no doubt that both look very much male. Yet, we as followers of Zen are not pagans. Pagans have idols of gods and goddesses and of other beings that have actual, individual forms and personalities. The statues in my room however, are a contradiction in terms..zen-wise. How can there be Buddha when there is no Buddha to see, or acknowledge through one's senses? And yet, I have them, ie, the statues. I feel like looking at them and absorbing the complete silence forever each time after zazen Some also speak of god within, and male or female orientation of such god(s) are often clues to their spiritual policies. Jehovah being male or female or both...I don't know. The Great Buddha being male or female?....hmmm...interesting concept..*grin*.. Buddha be praised Mel
