I am not sure, except that that possibility is there; hence the expressed interest to learn more. At this point, my questions on Tricycle reflect reflect that. Obviously, there are great divergent paths, and one apparent big difference was expressed to me that Zen may or may not be Buddhist, that itself is a critical distinction worthy of further thought. In my years of service as a minister, along with my studies leading to degrees in theology, philosophy, and sociology, I have figured out a few truths, as I know them, that I think are important. I have continue to grown and learn and have come to be suspect of absolute truth claims, theological arrogance, and acculturated artifacts that manifest as part of a true spiritual path and awareness. Also, and critical, is that faith ought to lead a person to being more of a humanist, to be more compassionate, to be more kind, and to live in harmony, as possible with others, to include others who think differently. Faith systems can easily become acculturated, institutionalized, and formalized, and in doing so, I think lose an essential spiritual focus. Zen might be a vehicle that allows and encourages that (an real spiritual focus), much of religion does not. Hence, the question of deism. A system that proclaims there is no God makes the same mistake of one that says there is, and this is how God is. Much more logical is a system that either says, "we are not sure" or "we don't take a formal stance, and you are free believe there is or is not." I know there are Christians who say they follow Buddhism, and at this time, I do not know how they logically do it, unless they are essentially deist or if they just pick and choose what to believe. All these are fine for those who choose to do so. I have come to find deism a logical option as opposed to agnosticism (which I think is the strongest logical position); however, I do not know of any sort of communal fellowship of deists or agnostics, aside from the internet. I suspect if there were a deist fellowship, I would be drawn there. I might even enjoy a stoic fellowship, but I do not know of any. However, I have had some connection with Zen (friends here and there), both in my 10 years in martial arts, and my natural affinity with what I read in the Taoist works (if one accepts what someone on Tricycle told me, that Zen Buddhism is Buddhism infused with Taoism). Regards.
________________________________ From: ED <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, July 8, 2011 9:15:24 AM Subject: [Zen] Re: Zen and Deism? Hi dragoon6779, Would you care to tell us in what ways you believe Zen might enhance your life? --ED --- In [email protected], Mike L <dragoon6779@...> wrote: Thank you for your response. Actually, yes. Zen might enhance my life. Hi, Why are you interested in Zen? Do you think that Zen might enhance your life in some way? --ED --- In [email protected], "dragoon6779" <dragoon6779@...> wrote: > > Hi, > > I am interested in Zen. >I have read that Buddhism is non-theistic, and I have been told that actually it is not that Buddhism is non-theistic, rather Buddhism (originally in a pragmatic approach) does not take a theistic or non-theistic stance. I know there are many who consider themselves both Christian and Zen, but given the 4 Noble Truths, and the 4 Seals, I am not sure how it is reconciled, furthermore, Deism is not the same as theism of course, so I wonder if the apparent problems are reduced if not gone by holding to deism. I have searched high and low online and cannot find much. thank you
