Fellow Zen Forum Members,
Several members have posted reservations about the quantity of seemingly
non-zen, non-Buddhist related topics lately; and both Edgar and I have received
some private email stating the same thing.
Neither Edgar or I wish to start actively moderating and approving each post.
We both want to encourage enthusiastic participation and even the broadest of
topics. But...at the end of the day this is a forum dedicated to discussions
about zen and/or Buddhism. There are plenty of other forums that have
different agendas.
Please don't anyone think anything that has been posted recently is 'beyond the
pale'. We have had those in the past and have dealt with them, but thankfully
those that participate now are all serious seekers of the way. Off-topic posts
are fine from time to time. Jokes are good. Sarcasm, irreverence, sports
trivia and even political comments are also okay - in moderation. We just
don't want to start being inundated with them.
I am posting here the introduction to the Zen Forum on our Home Page. Please
read it and continue to participate here with postings and discussions that
contribute to this spirit as a guideline - not as a set of restrictions or
rules.
Thanks...Bill Smart, Co-Moderator
Historically Zen (Chan in Chinese) is considered to be a sect of Buddhism which
dates back to the first Patriarch Bodhidharma (pictured), a Buddhist monk
originally from southern India who established Zen in China in the early 5th
century AD. In contrast with most other Buddhist sects which add considerable
religious overlays onto Buddhism, Zen is concerned with the simple essence of
Buddha's teachings which it takes as enlightenment or the direct experience of
reality or 'the true nature of things', and of how to live one's life in
accordance with this realization.
Though most Zen discussion groups are associated with particular sects or
schools of Zen, this one is different. We believe that true Zen is a
realization and way of life which may be found and practiced anywhere and is
not confined within the gates of any particular temple or sutra. While many of
our members have studied Zen formally we are not constrained by any particular
teaching and seek to cut directly through to reality wherever we may find
ourselves.
Thus you will find this group a fun and freewheeling group that brings many
interesting and diverse perspectives to a serious and sometimes passionate
discussion of Zen. We welcome all new members at whatever level with an
interest in Zen and enlightenment to participate. On this group we are all
students, and all teachers!
Zen Book Discussion is recommended such as Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind; The
Unfettered Mind, How To Raise An Ox, The Three Pillars of Zen, Zen Recovery,
The Mumonkan, Hekiganroku, Hazy Moon of Enlightenment, and books by Maezumi,
Shibayama, Sekida, Suzuki, Cook, Watts, Kapleau, Dogen, Bankei, Deshimaru,
Takuan and any other illuminating author.
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Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are
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