Francisco Garcia Eymael wrote: > > Folks, > > Dogen, by his turn, said once that no one should worry about >becoming a buda. Just be. Just pratice. I can see a paralell here. > > Comments? > > > Dear Francisco,
I have heard this quote in the context of Dogen's Fukanzazengi, which is instruction for the practice of zazen. Again with the caveat that all translations are poor (and thus one should not base one's practice only on the understanding one gains from reading) the Way it is quoted is more like " Have no designs on becoming a Buddha.". This is a little different then do not worry about becoming a Buddha. This is make no plans to become a Buddha. There is nothing less cool than someone who thinks they are cool (zeta jones et al) ...or at least that was the definition in my day. One is either cool, or they are not..one is either a Buddha or they are not. Most often one who thinks they are cool is not cool, and one who does not think they are cool are indeed in possession of "cool". They cannot see it themselves nor can one plan to become cool. Setting out on a course to become cool is a waste of time. Setting out to become a Buddha is likewise a waste of time. One either is seen as cool by others or they are not. One is either seen as a Buddha by others, or they are not. In the zen traditions it is the opinion of those who are cool that counts most as to whether you are cool or not...you do not get to elect yourself cool. Now it helps much if those who are not cool see you as cool, but more important is whether those who are cool think you are cool. No one care whether you think you are cool or not...thinking you are, is in fact not cool. It is almost a requirement for cool as you have noted, that you not think of yourself as cool, you do not plan to become cool, nor do you set out on a lifetime of obscure absurd practices in order to become cool. You have a chance of becoming cool by gathering a vast array of interesting insights and history so people think you are unusual enough to be cool, but one must avoid becoming trendy, because trendy is not really cool either. The best way to be cool is to be yourself, to be cool in your bones, without effort because you have soaked to the marrow of your bones in cool, and have become unconscious of just how cool you really are. Dogen's practice (the whole thing not just the zazen or meditation part) is a long cool dip in being a Buddha, all you need do is soak in it, and after a long enough time you become unaware of the bath, and the Buddha, and just keep going.....cool. Be Well Fudo ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give hope to a child. Helping a needy child is easier than you think. Click here to meet someone who needs your help. http://us.click.yahoo.com/hq3f6C/iJlJAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
