> Message: 11
> Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2006 20:58:08 -0000
> From: "dkotschessa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: Zen & Buddhism
>
> --- 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.
>
Now here is the meat of the matter...Or rather, the bone...Zen is what you do
when you
sit Zazen...What you believe is something else. The two are not mutually
exclusive.
There is, for example another Yahoo group I belong to called Zenchristians.
I too have not taken the precepts or even attended a formal Zendo for many
years. I
practice on my own, as part of my Martial Arts training. However, I have given
up on
church life too, there is too much hypocracy in churches for me.
Now having said that, many people find joining a sangha and practicing the
other stuff
like sutra chanting and rituals and meal gathas and such helpful in their
practice.
But, even some of the great Zenji or Masters of the past (what's the word?
Ancestors or
predecessors) have said that all that is window dressing and it is the sitting
that
leads to enlightenmet. Ever hear someone say "if you meet the Buddha on the
path to
enlightenment (or alternatively, the road), kill him?" What this means is
sometimes
even the Buddha himself can be an impediment to enlightenment if he becomes an
attachment. Me, I just let go and sit. But then, that's just me. :)
As a beginner, finding someone to aid you in your practice is good. We can do
what we
can here, but I don't think we have any abbots or roshi on this list.(?) I know
Kwanum
School of Zen (which has a group, not too active since Seung Sahn's
paranirvana) has
put people in touch with their leaders who have internet access. They can also
find a
zendo close to you. But still it comes down to who sits and who counts the
breaths.
What I believe in personally, would take a book to explain.
Gassho,
John
Ki is extending,
John Davis
"Let us have a Universal Mind
that loves and protects all creation
and helps all things grow and develop.
To unify mind and body and become One with the Universe
is the ultimate purpose of our study."
-- Koichi Tohei Sensei
"Masakatsu - Righteous victory, proper attitude
Agatsu - Victory over self
Katsuhayahi - Victory over speed of light, doing things so perfectly that time
is no longer a factor"
-- Akira Tohei Sensei, no relation to the
above. This from an interview in www.aikidoonline.com/ .
"Beware the Medical-Industrial Complex!"
-- John Davis
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