On 6/13/2012 11:07 AM, ED wrote:
K, the problem with zen is that, without reliance on scriptures, zen in
the West appears to have become a madhouse of opinions of zen teachers
and their students - not that I recommend any change.
--ED
This windmill is not a dragon Don Quixote!
This is not a problem with Zen, or the West. This is your attachment to
idealized notions OF Eastern Zen! So, there might yet be one change to
consider...
Much the same was said (and written) of Zen in Japan, of Ch'an in China.
Before Bodhidharma this was said in India, and before Buddha was said of
Vedanta...
It is precisely this "reliance on scriptures" that builds this
"madhouse", as such is the nature of mind. Each sees in their own light
- not realizing this. See this, and laugh!
Any religion is a madhouse of sorts, with the inmates running the
asylum. In this case that house is called 'Zen' - built for and by Zen
practitioners. Is this Zen? Is this not?
Perhaps when you read the scriptures you realize their expression (and I
am not discounting the amazing expressions they contain), but they are
not the source of this realization. Thus, promoting reliance on them to
others is as likely to distract them as not. I suspect this is why such
study has traditionally been balanced with sitting, work, etc. Also why
various sects are formed - looking for different balance to suit
differences in thinking - so these can be seen more clearly - until they
are realized empty.
Without committing ourselves to some form of "the madhouse", there's
nothing to be 'liberated' from! *L*
K
