Bill, You ignore the obvious. When you were instructed in Zazen you listened to your teacher explain how to sit, what to do etc. etc. and you understood that and that's the only reason you were able to do it.
That my friend was a RATIONAL exchange of ideas of teacher to student that was necessary step on the path to your realization..... Edgar On Apr 17, 2013, at 8:54 AM, Bill! wrote: > Edgar, > > Okay, I'll play along. I'll re-read your post below and post my responses > line-by-line: > > --- In [email protected], Edgar Owen <edgarowen@...> wrote: > > > You mistake intent. > Maybe, maybe not. > > > I agree, and have all along, the rational mind is not necessary to > > REALIZE Buddha Nature.... > Okay. No problems so far...except I notice you're using the word 'realize' > and I'm using the word 'experience'. > > > But it is necessary to get to the point where one CAN realize > > Buddha Nature... > Nope. One only needs to be sentient to be able to (as in 'can') experience > Buddha Nature. I looked up the word 'realize' and it seems to have at least > three different meanings that might be the cause of our disconnect here: > > 1. know and understand something: to know, understand, and accept something > 2. be or become aware of something: to be aware or conscious of something, or > to become aware of something > 3. achieve something: to fulfill a specific vision, plan, or potential > > 1. I reject the assertion that you can 'realize' Buddha Nature as in > definition 1. > 2. I agree that you can 'realize' Buddha Nature as in definition 2. > 3. I might also agree that you can 'realize' Buddha Nature as in definition > 3, but would have to think about that some more to be sure. > > > Why? Because one either uses the rational mind either to > > 'practice' Zen which you guys insist is the way,... > When I use the term 'practice zen' what I am referring to is the ongoing > exercise of integrating Buddha Nature more and more seamlessly into my daily > life. The focal point of my zen practice is zazen (shikantaza), but also > includes any other activity I do - including using my 'rational mind'. I will > say thought that the stronger my practice becomes the less I use my rational > mind. > > > ...or to study the true nature of the world of forms which I > > espouse. > I don't understand what this means: "...study the true nature of the world of > forms..." I don't think I do that because I to me the world of forms is > illusory so doesn't have a 'true nature'. We just create them. But as I said > I'm not certain what you mean by that. If you'll give me an example I'll > reconsider my answer. > > > Reread my post below. That is what I'm saying and have > > always said..... > Been there! Done that! > > ...Bill! > >
