--- In [email protected], "Edward" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > What do you think about practicing zazen without being or becoming a > Buddhist? Are they inextricably intertwined or can they be separate? > Can one achieve the full benefits of zazen without being buddhist? >
Of course it is fine to practice zazen without being identified as a Buddhist. As far as the "full benefits," though, I will speak a little more. I think there comes a certain point in meditation practice where you find that the 30 minutes or one hour a day isn't enough in itself. This is not to say that you have to practice sitting for more hours, but that you have to make zazen a part of your complete experience, 24 hours a day. This involves being mindful in all your activity. You still don't have to "be a buddhist" at this point. But having some structure in your practice is helpful, and I think becoming associated with a sangha (community of practitioners) is very helpful in this regard. There is also the case where sila, or morality comes into play, because if you are "acting unskillfully" in your every day life it will create problems for you in your zazen. Most of the thoughts that we are dealing with in zazen are a result of our actions. So practicing Right Speech, Action, and Livelihood in a consciencious way is another extention of zazen. Can you do all this and still not be a Buddhist? I don't see why not. I don't even know whether I'm a Buddhist or not. I haven't officially taken the precepts. But I try to incorporate the entire eightfold path into my life. -DaveK ------------------------ 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/
