Mel, Using modern-day (or ancient) teachings from zen masters is okay to get you started on your way. Once, however, you've experienced Buddha Nature for yourself you will not be dependent upon these or any other teachings. This experience of Buddha Nature is EXACTLY THE SAME as Siddartha's, Mahakashyapa's, Bodhidarma's, Mumon's, Joshu's, Deshimaru and Shunryu Suzuki's experience. There is no aspect of that where corruption can take hold.
The only possible corruption that can happen is a corruption in you, in your self corrupting your own experience by filtering, augmenting, interpreting, judging - UNDERSTANDING Buddha Nature. When someone asks me if I'm Buddhist I usually answer, 'No, I'm called Bill!', or 'No, I'm not Buddhist. I practice zen.' ...Bill! --- In [email protected], Mel <gunnar19632000@...> 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 > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
