Bill, The term zen I refer to is not just when you sit shikantaza with clear mind, or shikantaza day dreaming, it also refers to the time when you leave your mat, and go about daily activities. In other words things in general. Is there such a thing called 'compassion'? How is it reflected in your activities? Anthony
________________________________ From: Bill! <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, 14 June 2012, 10:41 Subject: [Zen] Re: The Self Illusion Anthony, I can't answer you because I'm not sure what you mean by 'zen'. I have a concept I associate with 'zen' but I'm not sure it's the same concept you have. If you'll notice I did not use the word 'zen' in my post below. Categorizing things as 'in zen' or not is just not appropriate, although I admit I have been guilty of using similar terminology myself. If you define the term 'zen', or at least thing of is as having the same meaning, as it is used in 'zazen' - to sit 'zen'; and if you as I do define 'zazen' as 'shikantaza' which means 'just sit' or 'clear mind sitting' - and then if I could rephrase your question as: In 'clear mind' are there qualities called 'compassion', 'hunger', etc...; then I would answer 'no' - or better yet would just answer 'Just THIS!'. ...Bill! --- In mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com, Anthony Wu <wuasg@...> wrote: > > Bill, > Â > Is there such a thing in zen called 'compassion', as is there a quality > called 'hungry', or as from other categories you name it? > Â > Anthony > > > ________________________________ > From: Bill! <BillSmart@...> > To: mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, 13 June 2012, 10:13 > Subject: [Zen] Re: The Self Illusion > > > Â > ED, > > 'Compassion' is a label a 3rd party places on someone else's actions. > 'Compassion' as has been discussed in this thread is not something you 'do', > its who/what you are. If you're dividing things up into dualistic sets such > as compassionate/not compassionate then you've already missed the mark. > > 'Compassion' is not something you need to think about, much less strive to > cultivate - any more than you have to strive to be hungry. > > ...Bill! > > --- In mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com, "ED" <seacrofter001@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hi Bill and All - > > > > Three definitions of compassion from the Internet are: > > > > "Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of > > others." > > > > "A deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering. > > > > "The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting > > to do something about it" > > > > What would a typical Buddhist or zen definition of compassion be? > > > > --ED > > > > > > --- In mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com > > <mailto:mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com> , > > Anthony Wu <wuasg@> wrote: > > > > > > Sheng Yen was a great monk. His word about compassion brings the > > question of the results of zen practice. Does it bring about inhuman > > characteristics of no compassion? He also said, 'sit down and shut up'. > > But that does not rule out the ensuing compassion. > > > > > > Anthony > > >
