To Buddha, China was West.
This apparent generalized/stereotypical difference in approach reflects
the current expression of the same expansion process that created such a
variety of expression in the East. Whether it helps or hinders, I cannot
say. Each must see for themselves.
How many 'Eastern' texts, how many 'Eastern' forms of Buddhism?
How many 'Western' expressions?
Of Buddha's two foremost disciples, which sat to his East, and which to
his West?
Which sutra concerns itself with only these two of the ten directions?
Dharma flowers in the wild. Plantings, and subsequent transplantation,
may allow this flowering to appear in the manicured gardens that line
the many paths. As people busy themselves weeding and tending them, it
is easy to forget this wild nature - and defend each patch of the garden
as if it were the only source of such flowering.
KG
On 8/1/2012 2:57 PM, William Rintala wrote:
Actually his statement was more general than than. He said
Westerners not Americans.
Bill
Find what makes your heart sing…and do it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* William Rintala <[email protected]>
*To:* [email protected]
*Sent:* Wed, August 1, 2012 1:56:45 PM
*Subject:* Re: [Zen] Re: Chan and zen
One teacher that I had said that Americans have a
Smörgåsbord mentality that you must get beyond. We all think "I'll
try a little of this, maybe a little of that or maybe some of this
other thing". He said that you must choose. It is fun to wander
around in the palace gardens but you can get lost. This teacher was a
Yogi and taught yogic meditation, Kundalini and such.
Bill (not Bill!)
Find what makes your heart sing…and do it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* mike brown <[email protected]>
*To:* "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
*Sent:* Wed, August 1, 2012 11:17:28 AM
*Subject:* Re: [Zen] Re: Chan and zen
ED,
It is what it is and doesn't matter what name we give it. We all walk
our own path to the place we were always at (It's the old adage that
sometimes you need to go on a journey before realising that a journey
is not necessary). I think the Buddha's story illustrates that. He
tried many teachers, and used their teachings,before finally reaching
awakening by his own efforts. My journey is evolving but I'm coming to
the realisation that the state of mind conducive to meditation and
ultimate liberation needs to be guarded every moment. I can quite
easily see myself at some point becoming a monastic, but right now I'm
enjoying samsara too much (The mundane bright and shiny things).
Mike
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* ED <[email protected]>
*To:* [email protected]
*Sent:* Wednesday, 1 August 2012, 15:57
*Subject:* [Zen] Re: Chan and zen
Mike,
But there is not only one way. Different strokes for different folks.
--ED
--- In [email protected] <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>,
mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote:
>
> Joe,
>
> Must admit that I haven't done much formal Zen practice for a long
time. The last time in Australia was with Ian Sweetman Sensei (Ross B
was in Hawaii) and somewhat occasionally in Sanshoji temple in Nara and
even more infrequently in various temples around Kyoto. I began
participating in the S.N Goenka Vipassana retreats in Kyoto (10-day
retreats) about 3-4 years ago. I am very aware of Sharon Salzberg's and
Jack Kornfeld's work but have never met them personally. The teacher who
really stands out for me tho, is the late Ayya Khema, a female Therevada
nun, whose talks/writings I would highly recommend. So you can see I'm
kind of eclectic in my practice (Very much like Alan Watts as I also
enjoy the teachings, but to a lesser extent, of Advaita Vedanta, Taoism
and Dzogchen). As far as Zen is concerned, I agree with Joko Beck when
she says that she would'nt cross the street to attend a talk by a famous
Zen master (Meant respectfully, of course). But I
> feel like a sponge when it comes to listening to the wisdom of Budhha
and the masters of Vipassana. I think it was Sharon Salzberg who said
that Buddha sorted his problems out 2,500 years ago, now you sort out
yours. He certainly gave us the tools.
>
>
> Mike
