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Zen Buddism

Melissa Johnson

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I've been interested in the concept of Zen for the past few years, as a philosophy if not a religion. Are there any folks here with Zen experience who would care to comment? Books I should read? Stuff I should avoid? And no, I'm not shaving my head for anybody...:D And if anyone suggests I'm interested in Buddhism solely because of the art & textiles angle, well, you're just being mean....
 
I practiced a bit when I was younger.

The only book that I really, really liked was "Zen mind, begineer's mind". It's more from a practical everyday point of view than philosophy. The other books got me too wrapped up in koans, the philosophy, etc, which seemed to just take me farther from zen rather than closer.

ZMBM basically covers trying to be mindful about each moment in the day, rather than seeking enlightment or whatever.
 
What is "mindful each moment" if not "enlightenment"? :)


Book: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
 
You probably should believe in reincarnation. Be prepared to come back as a gerbil. (mmmm....food pellets)
 
I am a practicing Zen Buddhist, although I don't currently belong to one particular sect or ashram. The teachings I follow are from the Kwan Um school of Zen, first encountered when I lived in Korea. Is there anything in particular you'd like to discuss? Bear in mind that, like any world religion, the answers you receive will depend on the particular school (you'd call them sects).
 
Melissa Johnson said:
I've been interested in the concept of Zen for the past few years, as a philosophy if not a religion. Are there any folks here with Zen experience who would care to comment? Books I should read? Stuff I should avoid? And no, I'm not shaving my head for anybody...:D And if anyone suggests I'm interested in Buddhism solely because of the art & textiles angle, well, you're just being mean....
Click to expand...

Hi Melissa,

I enjoy some of Alan Watts writings on the subject.

-Who
 
Cinorjer said:
I am a practicing Zen Buddhist, although I don't currently belong to one particular sect or ashram. The teachings I follow are from the Kwan Um school of Zen, first encountered when I lived in Korea. Is there anything in particular you'd like to discuss? Bear in mind that, like any world religion, the answers you receive will depend on the particular school (you'd call them sects).
Click to expand...

Well, I'm more interested in the philosophy angle (and thanks for all the replies and titles of books. Trip to Library long overdue). I don't believe in reincarnation (and if I did, I wanna come back as a cat, not a gerbil!) or the more "mystical" angle of Buddhism, but I do find the idea of detachment intriguing. On the other side of the coin, I don't have a high tolerance for b.s., either. As with Catholicism, I'm interested also in the symbolism and beauty of the art associated with Buddhism. I don't know as much about the history as I probably should, though I have read some but not retained the information.

Dancing David, it took me a minute to remember your reference to the Buddha as a sh!t stick :D One of the funnier "one hand clapping" non sequiturs, no?
 
Why not read some of the sutras? The Platform and Diamond sutras are easy enough to find. Go for the primary sources.

And before Shemp say it, the Kama Sutra has some nice practical applications, too.
 
I once read Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance, but there wasn't much in there about motorcycle maintenance, so maybe there wasn't much Zen in there either.
 
Well, I'm more interested in the philosophy angle (and thanks for all the replies and titles of books. Trip to Library long overdue). I don't believe in reincarnation (and if I did, I wanna come back as a cat, not a gerbil!) or the more "mystical" angle of Buddhism, but I do find the idea of detachment intriguing.

Most Westerners confuse the Hindu concept of reincarnation (reborn as a cow or whatever) with the Buddhist concept of rebirth, and it doesn't help that the widely publicized Tibetan Buddhism has a unique belief in a literal rebirth under special circumstances. The Buddhist belief contains a lot of confusing Sanscrit terms, but basically we don't believe there is a permanent, unchanging "soul" that exists outside of your physical body. In effect, you are constantly being reborn moment by moment, and death is but one more change, although a big one.
The nature of impermanence must be acknowledged to free you from the illusion of an eternal and separate self.

On the other side of the coin, I don't have a high tolerance for b.s., either. As with Catholicism, I'm interested also in the symbolism and beauty of the art associated with Buddhism. I don't know as much about the history as I probably should, though I have read some but not retained the information.

Buddhist sects around the world have their share of BS. Local beliefs and superstitions work their way into them, but the core is the Buddha's 4 Noble Truths, followed in Zen by the understanding that these truths can only change our lives through constant practice and meditation. There is much on the net to get someone started, probably better than most books which either offer a surface treatment or try to give the impression that one school of Buddhism is the "right one". If you email me, I'll send some links to various schools of Buddhism for you to check out.
 
Having lived two years at a Zen Buddhist monestary I have a small measure of insight to offer. Forget about the "philosophy angle" for the simple fact that true Zen has no philosophy. If you try to grasp some idea, the mind becomes so muddled that the practice becomes a wast of time. Keep it simple, simple, simple! Zen has nothing to teach because you already know everything that you need to know...you just don't know it. That is what the practice is all about...waking up to this truth. There are many, many books that explain the practice well enough. No need for me to recommend any. The main thing is to do the practice with no expectation. Just do the practice. See for yourself that no book can replace your own experience. As to the symbolism and art of Buddhism, there is certainly a rich history. But, the student must be careful not to mistake the menu for the meal. Guard against becoming a form actor and forming a romantic attachment to clappers and gongs and incence and robe wearing. Just do the practice...simply, quetly, with great faith and with great doubt. "If you meet ther Buddha in the road, kill him!"
 
You might try something by Thich Nhat Hahn, or one of Thomas Merton's books on the subject.
 
While I am generally reading-oriented, I think Buddhism may be something that is better learned about through experience than through books.

Having long been curious about Buddhism, I recently attended a 10-day course of Vipassana. The program was primarily meditation, combined with additional meditation, plus some meditation, and also meditation.

No books or other reading materials were used during the course (or allowed). There was each evening a videotaped discourse that explained some aspects behind what we were doing, and these discourses were informative in some ways, but I think they largely served as a form of entertainment (which some people may have needed).

Although silence was practiced throughout most of the course, it was permitted to ask questions of the instructor about one's meditative practice at certain specified times. I am by nature an inquisitive person, but at no point did I avail myself of that opportunity -- there seemed little point.

For instance: on the 6th day, I made what I considered a break-through in my practice during the morning. Unfortunately that created a new problem, and I found myself almost totally blocked for all 3 afternoon sessions. I thought about this over the tea break, came up with what seemed to be a workable solution, and was able to make progress again in the evening session. This raised several thoughts in my mind concerning future practice, and I considered staying after the end of the final meditation session that evening to ask a question of the instructor. However, during the evening discourse there was a comment on the tape that made my question completely irrelevant, so I did not bother to ask it, and within a couple of days I had figured out an answer on my own.

Depending on what it is you want to learn, books may or may not be of help to you.
 
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