Siska,
I was in Hawai'i, visiting Aitken Roshi privately once, when there was a pooja,
on the same Wesakh occasion. It was quite a "to do". It was held not at a Zen
Center, but at a Buddhist temple on the Big Island near Aitken Roshi's home.
It was a little "wild and crazy", not "reserved" as in the case of even
celebratory events in the Zen style. ;-)
Yes, rituals are good to attend! They are ways of making visible the
invisible. It's just as in the world of forms, everything exemplifies and
displays Buddha Nature, and speaks in its own eloquent way about the Whole.
There are some who claim not to appreciate ritual, or who do not appreciate
religion. I understand this: it's due to the shift due to a secularizing trend
in societies. But there *may* be another factor as well: Imagination. I think
it can properly be said that: "Religion requires Imagination!" And as much as
that, it requires an appreciation of, and enjoying of, the company of the
others we are with (well, CALL them "others"!) ;-)
I hope it was a fun pooja!
--Joe
> siska_cen@... wrote:
>
> Hello Joe,
>
> I think wood things at Zen temples are beautiful. It must feel good to be
> able to make such things.
>
> > I am impressed and intrigued by the way you so intimately and technically
> > know the states attained and passed through in Vipassana practice.
>
> That sounds more like Mike to me :-)
>
> Thanks for your kind message,
>
> Buddhists in Indonesia are celebrating Wesakh day today. I just attended a
> pooja (ritual for Wesakh). It still feels good to attend rituals every once
> in a while ;-)
>
> As you said, strong practice,
>
> Siska
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