Indeed, Mel,
Every word written or spoken is for the "convenience" of that moment.
My Teacher often remind us, that his words are for our convenience.
Every word from him or Buddha is "dharma in form" and not the real
dharma, which is formless.
Thank you for your post.
JM
Learn the Basics of Chan Meditation...
http://www.chan-meditation.org
Chan in everyday life...
http://www.chanliving.org
To be enlightened in this life...
http://www.heartchan.org
To save our world...
http://www.universal-oneness.org
On 6/22/2011 1:58 AM, Mel wrote:
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
