At 01:58 PM 12/17/2005 +0000, you wrote: >--- In [email protected], "Bill Smart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > >On Friday, December 16, 2005 11:15 AM Murtaza_iit84 posted: > > > > > >Question: > > >I am more of an agnostic than an atheist. From whatever I have >read > > >about Zen, I could find no reference to God. So, is Zen agnostic ? > > > > More words! > > > > Since we have to use words on this forum I first want to make sure >we're > > using the words the same. The relevant terms here and my working > > definitions are: > > - THEIST: One who believes in the existence of God or gods. > > - ATHEIST: One who does not believe in the existence of God or >gods. > > - GNOSTIC: One who one who believes it is possible to know about >the > > existence of God and the essential nature of things. > > - AGNOSTIC: One who believes it is impossible to know anything >about the > > existence of God or the essential nature of anything. > > > > Using those definitions and the usual definition of 'God or gods', >I'd say > > zen is ATHEISTIC. > >You forgot one. :) > >I prefer non-theistic. Zen is a practice, not really a philosophy. >It is really much like a trade like plumbing. The plumber is >concerned with the plumbing, getting the crap out of the toilet. >When she is talking about pipes and crap, the subject of god does not >play into her plumbing. What she does when she leaves is up to her. > >Buddhism is the four noble truths and the eightfold path. Anybody >can practice it.
haha! I LOVE this analogy! :-) Yep, cleanin' out the plumbing. And YES there ARE blockages to release (clinging mind!), the Zen party line about "you are already Buddha" notwithstanding. And let me just agree with you wholeheartedly here: Zen IS Buddhism. There is no Zen outside of Buddhism. It would be like saying there is such a thing as cheddar apart from cheese. 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/
