Sometimes, though, the Buddha has to leave the palace. On Fri, May 13, 2011 at 4:21 AM, Maria Lopez <[email protected]>wrote:
> > > *Mel, Chris, Anthony* > ** > *TNH advices not to leave our own spiritual tradition behind as that is > part of us and our ancestors. And if we have problems with it then it's > time to make up with our own spiritual tradition. I've found his adcvice > being a wise one. * > ** > *Mayka > * > > --- 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, 1:06 > > > > 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]<http://uk.mc873.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[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 > > > > > > >
