Hi Tony, all >Thanks for your reply. I guess I still don't understand how we can >experience something we have no knowledge of. > For example; I know >4+4=8....but only as a result of haviong beed taught 1+1=2. How can >I see or experience the Emptiness of a phenomena (lets say a tree) >without trying to identify that thing I am calling 'tree'? Surely >only through analysis can I realize that the 'tree' exists only as a >conception, a mental construct. Then I see the tree as it really is >AND how it is not. Transpose this methodology onto meditating on the >Emptiness of the self and this is where we can attain nirvana. > >WOW I know that is gonna be really contentious, but I am genuinely >interested in the zen approach to this.
I really do not think it's a question of having *zero* intellectual understanding within Zen. As regards emptiness, consider the Heart Sutra, for example, which is known in pretty much every Zen center, as far as I can tell. Ian ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi 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/
