--- In [email protected], "Spider63" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> From: "Bill Smart" < I have found zazen to be a more successful
method of
> encouraging awakening than Dharma study. If you can engage in
Dharma study
> without creating an ego (a separation of the materials read from
the
> reader), and resist the temptation to intellectualize (try
to 'understand')
> the texts, then I'm sure it would be fine. >>
>
> I think that what you are writing is true for you and many others.
>
> For me, having a Zen book handy to refresh certain ideas or to
read some old
> tales of humility or enlightenment, etc. is good for me. I enjoy
the
> reminders, and I find it helps me to be more conscientious when I
regularly
> read the examples of others who have had to live in stressful
situations.
[Bill!]I also find reading 'Zen book[s]...to refesh certain ideas or
to read some old tales of humility or enlightenment...' is very
helpful to me for all the reasons you stated. I don't, however,
consider that Dharma study. These books are not historical canons
or sutras. They deal specifically with zen topics and not general
Buddhism. I include in this categoy koan colletions and zen
parables. In fact I associate the reading of these types of books
as enjoying the Sangha rather than studying the Dharma.
>...some text snipped..
> However, I believe that the anti-intellectualism than NM refers to
is not
> what you are referring to.
[Bill!] You're right. I'm not supporting anti-intellectualism any
more than I am supporting anti-chanting. Using our intellect is an
excellent way to express our Buddha-nature. It however is not the
only way, and certainly not superior to other ways like chanting or
doing zazen or taking-out-the-garbage. The intellect is however
very seductive and if great care is not taken it will give rise to
the ego to the point where it will subsume all other efforts. As
usual moderation is the key here, but moderation in using the
intellect is very, very difficult. Especially for Western people
like me who were raised to worship logic, rationality and the
intellect.
>These are the same folks that walk into the back of the church at
the end of the
> service so that they can feel like they attended church, but they
did not
> have to listen to the sermon (or pray).
[Bill!] To extend your analogy to what I am discussing about Dharma
study would be people who read, study and memorize Bible scripture
and then think they're good Christians. They may be. And studying
Bible scripture may have helped. But having an in-depth knowledge
of Bible scripture doesn't make you're a good Christian or help you
to love your neighbor.
Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi
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