--- In [email protected], "amazing63" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> From: Francisco Garcia Scherer I am just trying to make the
> begginers feel more comfortable and welcome in the Zen Center, so
they will become permanent members.>
>
> A) Why don't you just ASK them?? Try talking TO people, not at
them. Giving a questionaire to people you are looking in the face has
to be weird.
Most begginers start by attending an introductory lecture on Zen
Buddhism, which is usually presented on Saturdays. The idea is to ask
them to answer the questionaire right before the lecture or right
after zazen (After the lecture, they are taught how to practice
zazen).
>
> B) Your Zen Center is what it is. If you are going to change the
wallpaper and make things different depending on who is joining, then
it might as well be a Fitness Club or Disco. I thought that the Zen
Master was supposed to change the students, though I guess the
students do change the Teacher during the process of teaching and
growing.
I see your point. However, as I said, it is important to give
the begginers an opportunity to express themselves and feel that we
are willing to get to know them. I also believe that it is important
to get to know better the new practioners. What are their
expectations? What kind of relationship do they want to have with the
teacher? etc. This way, it is possible to organize activities and
direct the teaching in a manner that is compatible with each
begginer. Based on the questionaire, for instance, I am planning to
develop an especific list of recommended readings for each begginer
(In this aspect, I will have to rely on the help of other fellow
members of the Zen Center, since their theoretical knowledge is far
greater than mine).
I am not trying to market the Zen Center at any cost. I am just
trying to make it easier for begginers to participate in the
activities of the Zen Center.
> C) I guess you have good intentions, but is this what your Teacher
wants? Why not ask the assembled students to discuss it with him at
his next Talk? What can be done to improve the experience? I am sure
it would be a lively discussion, and direct discussion is better than
collecting written statements and then "interpretting" the opinions
of the others. Can to the people directly if you want to know what
they want.
There is going to be a meeting of the board of Directors, this
saturday, and I will participate. My goal is to present this project
and try to get their approval. As for our Roshi, he has travelled to
Japan for three months.
>
> D) Good luck to your efforts, and let us know what you decide to
do, and who is your Zen Master?
Moriyama Roshi. I am not formally his disciple, but he is our
resident teacher.
Our website is: www.viazen.org.br
Regards,
Francisco.
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers.
At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/hjtSRD/3MnJAA/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/
