I often have problems with seeing myself as a Buddhist of any sort let alone
telling people about it, because I know for a fact that my beliefs are
centered/based on the interpretations of today's modern day zen teachers such
as senseis Deshimaru and (Shunryu) Suzuki. It has been a long time since the
old man died and nobody really knew what he said except those who have actually
spent time with him before he died. Nevertheless, I made the decision to stick
with zen
Fellow 'buddhists', there is no shame in saying or acknowledging that all we
know today are highly likely to be corruptions of what the old prince may have
uttered, but do we really care?
Today, people see my Buddha pendant around my neck, my zen books, and bowings I
make to my meals and images before me. Seeing such, many ask me if I'm
Buddhist, and I just say yes out of convenience
Buddha be praised
Mel
