tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954276725851312678.post2455551906650707308..comments2023-04-05T02:00:21.607-07:00Comments on From The Plain: Guest Post from Kris MaloySteven Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07677314285938844360noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954276725851312678.post-3680514297954698602010-07-13T18:20:53.899-07:002010-07-13T18:20:53.899-07:00I think those are good distinctions, but isn't...I think those are good distinctions, but isn't Zen usually considered a form of Buddhism? A tradition like Mahayana or Theraveda, etc.. <br /><br />OK, just wiki'ed it and Zen is technically a form of Mahayana Buddhism - but yes, it focuses more on direct insight than other Buddhist traditions.<br /><br />I think American Buddhism draws from all these traditions. Joseph Goldstein brings this up in his book "One Dharma". It's kind of a new synchronization. Relatively "new" anyway. For instance, I think reincarnation is an aspect of Buddhism with a wide variety of interpretations in America. Many see it as literally real. Others see it as rebirth rather than reincarnation, meaning that all the matter in your body will be reborn into a different form when you die. Others may see the doctrine as more metaphorical for this one life.<br /><br />I think your take on it Zen is right on. The here and now. Have you read "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle? I find his authorial voice to be a bit annoying, but he does take a few aspects of Eastern thought and really put it in ways that Western audiences can understand. I"m a little hesitant to recommend his book to anyone, cause of the cheeseball nature of it, but I can't deny that it was a very, very important book for me to read.<br /><br />I love that Zen quote. I actually just read that myself a few months ago in Jack Kornfield's book "First the Ecstacy, then the Laundry".<br /><br />Thanks again for a great essay.Steven Starkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677314285938844360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954276725851312678.post-31773858738205158132010-07-13T18:10:14.556-07:002010-07-13T18:10:14.556-07:00From Kris:
To answer the question of the primary...From Kris:<br /><br /><br />To answer the question of the primary difference between Buddhism and Zen quickly, I think the primary differences are probably 2: <br /><br />1) Buddhists believe in a very particular set of practices that are designed to help them remove themselves from the material world, whereas Zen meditations are designed to absorb the here and now completely. <br /><br />2) Buddhists are committed to the concept of reincarnation, while Zen is so committed to full awareness of the moment that thoughts of other lives or after-lives are not present. Reincarnation and afterlife are neither affirmed nor denied, but considered immaterial when one is entirely in THIS moment. (One of my favorite Zen stories illustrates this point: A young man asks the master about the afterlife, and the master replies "I don't know." The boy asks "But aren't you a Zen master?!" "Yes," he says, "but not a dead one.")<br /><br />One of the great Zen quotes pertains to the second question of "practice": "There is no need to translate the ancient Chinese texts, not if one is really serious about Zen. The sound of the rain needs no translation." <br /><br />I've borrowed this passage from Zenspace.org:<br /><br />"Zen is a practice of direct, unmediated awareness. It is not an intellectual exercise to develop a philosophy or theology. It is not belief in the contents of written works. It is not following a code of conduct. It is not an emotional catharsis. It is not performing good works. Fundamentally Zen is being present here and now with what is here and now just as it is. It involves taking the energy of body and mind that we habitually use to create and maintain the "self" and focusing it on the present just as it is without interacting with what is going on. Our principal approach to achieving this focus is through Zen meditation. While reading about meditation and Zen may be helpful, reading and other activities are secondary to practice. In our practice we develop direct awareness, and we attempt with great calm and patience to bring this awareness to every moment of our life."<br /><br />While some form of meditation and reflection are, I think, necessary in the pursuit of a Zen attitude, the essential "practice" is whatever serves the pursuit of a mindset that is at one with all things and with the present, focusing not on the past or future as we are prone as humans to do, but always on the present and the reality that is.<br /><br />Best,<br />KrisSteven Starkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677314285938844360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954276725851312678.post-83337394189470047322010-07-13T12:40:17.251-07:002010-07-13T12:40:17.251-07:00Kris,
I would be really interested in learning mo...Kris,<br /><br />I would be really interested in learning more about your concept of Zen:<br /><br />Is there a practice involved?<br /><br />How is it different than Buddhism?Steven Starkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677314285938844360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954276725851312678.post-29266034989881973582010-07-13T12:38:49.522-07:002010-07-13T12:38:49.522-07:00Thanks a million Kris! I love your essay here. Wou...Thanks a million Kris! I love your essay here. Would you be OK if I published it on my blog sometime in the next week or two? I have had several guest posts over the last couple of years about people's interpretation of what the word "God" means to them. The idea is that "God" as a sound is an empty crucible - how do you fill it up? I like your way.<br /><br />I am pretty much in agreement with you in every way. I have always liked the "ground of all being". Of course if the ground of being produces persons, and since we are persons, it may be quite right and fine to conceive of the ground of all being in terms of personhood - even if this is metaphorical ultimately. I consider metaphor to be powerful - it's a sign that something is too great to be described in everyday, vernacular speech. <br /><br />All is definitely connected. I identify sin with our level of awareness - which is a very Buddhist idea. Unwholesome acts are natural desires interpreted and enacted in ways which bring about too many negative results. This occurs when our awareness is lacking.<br /><br />I think we are quite similar in our approaches. <br /><br />Are you familiar with process theology? It makes us partners with God, and makes us all a part of God. Panentheism.<br /><br />Are you sympathetic to the "new atheists"? I know that Sam Harris while disliking religion is more sympathetic to "spiritual practice" than other new atheists.<br /><br />Can't wait to discuss it more,<br /><br />StevenSteven Starkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677314285938844360noreply@blogger.com