Shobogenzo Zuimonki 1.11

Dogen instructed:

Impermanence is swift; birth and death are vital matters. During this short life, if you wish to study or practice some activity, just practice the Buddha-Way and study the Buddha-dharma. Since literature and poetry are useless, you should give them up. Even when you study the Buddha-dharma and practice the Buddha-Way, do not study them extensively. Needless to say, refrain from learning the Exoteric and Esoteric scriptures of the teaching-schools. Do not be fond of learning on a large scale, even the sayings of the Buddhas and patriarchs. It is difficult for us untalented and inferior people to concentrate on and complete even one thing. It is no good at all to do many things at the same time and lose steadiness of mind.

This passage from Dogen gives me some difficulty since it seems to superficially state that all activities other than Buddhism are a waste of time and should be avoided. Which, in a way, he is but it should noted that these discourses are meant for monks and not lay-persons. So, while it needs to be understood in that context, we can play with the meaning some to provide insights for the lay-practitioner (like myself).

In some translations, I have seen the statement "just practice Buddhism" which would infer the study of scripture and the Pali canon but then Dogen goes on to say not to study those things (or at least not to dive to deeply into them). So where does Dogen's true meaning lie? I think in the translation I have above with the statement of "just practice the Buddha-Way...and Buddha Dharma" the meaning is in your daily life to practice (whatever it be...dishes, zazen, marketing reports) within the framework of the Buddhist Ideal - with compassion.

Some will disagree with this but most of them have a desire to study the almost inexhaustible Buddhist Canon. The simple fact is that as lay-practitioners, we do not have the time to do this. I can't study the Tripitaka or the Lotus Sutra or the Pali Canon while doing the duties of the Householder. So I take my Dharma where and when I can get it. Mostly that will include the practice of Mindfulness and Compassion in daily activities. That is what I draw from the closing line - "It is no good at all to do many things at the same time and lose steadiness of mind."

My last word on White Privilege

Damn, this thing just won't die, for me. Keeps coming back. Another posting here.

The resistance, then, to the idea of “white privilege” comes from a number of sources in white culture. It sounds like an accusation of racism, and perhaps then we should be clear that being privileged is not the same as hatred or contempt for the unprivileged. White people’s privileges tend to follow the Categorical Imperative; we take these privileges because we believe the world would be better if everyone had and used these privileges. That’s not the same thing as prejudice.

I liked the description but it lead me to the thought of another possible comparison that may clear it up for us White folk that tend to shiver at the term and its (somewhat imaginary) connotations. Imagine White Privilege in North America being the same as North American Privilege compared to the rest of the world. Even with the poverty and poor economy, by being in North America we are basically privileged when compared to the world at large. We take for granted things that we were basically born into (or given the opportunity of).

Granted this take is really just emerged from some statistics that I recall seeing some time back and...thus this idea of mine

White Privilege in USA = North American Privilege in the world view. Maybe? I don't know.

Does this make sense? I'm not trying to start anything here but I would appreciate the input from the more knowledgeable people out there. To me this seems like a reasonable analogy and it puts the concept of privilege into a context that allows for understanding of the concept without overtly bringing up race.

Perhaps by hitting that larger, more universal concept first we can gain an understanding of it on a more regional scale.

I hope I am on the right track here. I really don't feel like getting anymore of the anger my way.

Cheers,

Jack

Can you be Buddhist and Christian? Does anyone care?

Read full article here about a Episcopalian minister that also practiced Zen meditation (not a completely unsightly mix). But it seems that not everybody in his congregation was as excited and perhaps he wasn't either...

A number expressed concern about the Michigan priest's decade-long practice of Zen meditation, changes he made to baptism rites, and ideas he espoused about salvation, including the existence of multiple paths to God. Others objected to the election process in Northern Michigan because Thew Forrester was the only candidate on the ballot.Bishops are rarely rejected once they are elected by their diocese.

It sounds as though Thew has got a few other more salient issues with Christianity that more pressing than Zen meditation practice. Bishops are not elected by their progressive policies or for their ability to think laterally. They are elected or chosen based upon the scope and breadth of their understanding of scripture and for their ability at bureaucracy...just as in Buddhism (we have dogma and hierarchy too). Seems that They has been taking some liberties with the liturgy.

Don't get me wrong. I respect a person that can see the many paths that exist towards the same goal and also accepts the fact that individuals chose the path that best fits them. I am alos a huge fan of people that skew the system a bit. However, those people, with those beliefs will probably not move that high up in the hierarchy. They would not go up in pay scale. They won't get a bigger hat.

But Thew is an ordained lay-practitioner in the Soto Zen sect. Would this be in conflict to his Christian duties? Would his role as bishop affect his duties as a Soto Zen practitioner? HOw could you remedy this?

The two beliefs are not necessarily at odds with each other but viewing how Thew has treated his Buddhist beliefs and practice in the public forum it seems that he does not place much stock in his role as a Zen Buddhist nor in the jukai that he took or the vows that come with it. Personally I think this shows a lack of character.

That being said, I am familiar with Christian clergy that also are ordained lay-practitioners or are otherwise fairly serious in their Buddhist practice. I also sit with individuals that can meld the two belief systems in varying levels with some success. Some just want to sit and meditate, others also chant and do prostrations and others delve deeper into Buddhist scripture and philosophy with no real affect upon their Christian beliefs. It all depends upon the depth that they wish to take it.

I would never expect most of these individuals to be ordained as priests or monks but they are finding what they need to make themselves a more spiritual whole.

I wonder if this is what Thew is doing. It seems unlikely. More likely that he is engaging in "stamp-collecting" rather than actually having the drive and need to become ordained. Jukai isn't nor should it be, taken lightly. It isn't a tick on a card or a notch on a belt. It is a statement of your commitment of practice. I can perform yoga stretches in the morning and I can read the Vedas and maybe even gain some spiritual guidance from them. It doesn't make me Hindu and I wouldn't say that it does. As Thew himself stated...

I hope this provides some clarity. I am not a Buddhist. I am a Christian who has benefited from being taught the spiritual practice of meditation.

So I guess even if he did get elected we wouldn't have had a Buddhist bishop anyway. So if he did receive jukai which involves taking the precepts, the Bodhisattva vows and the Refuges as well as receiving a dharma name and rakusu and still claims that he is not a Buddhist then the whole thing was a farce.

He could have easily stated that he was both or just took a meditation class. Maybe I will become a deacon because I like bland wafers and wine. That wouldn't insult anyone.

Cheers,

Shobogenzo Zuimonki 1.7

In an evening talk Dogen said:

Monks must not be scolded and castigated with harsh words; nor should they be held up to scorn by having their faults pointed out. Even if they are evil men, they must not be despised and abused. No matter how bad they may seem at first, when more than four persons gather together for practice they constitute a sangha, which enriches the country. They are deserving of the upmost respect. If your disciples are in error, whether they be temple priests or senior priests, Masters or teachers, you should instruct and guide them with kindness.

Strike those who have to be struck and scold those that have to be scolded but do not allow yourself to utter words of slander or detraction....If you see the weakness of others and consider these bad and if you wish to guide such people with compassion, you must do so without speaking directly of their errors so that you do not arouse their anger.

Dogen's words were meant to keep the peace of the monastery and the sangha. He freely admits the failings and shortcomings of human beings and presents here a respectful way of confronting them. Reproach is replaced with compassion and derision is replaced with kindness.

This remains true of our online and digital sangha. We are and should be enriching those around us, including other Buddhists or those that have various misconceptions about Buddhism. This does not mean that we completely roll over and show our bellies. Strike when you need to strike and scold when you need to scold but always remember we strike and scold in order to teach and guide with compassion. Sometimes strong words are needed but they should not be meant to divide us further or to push people away.

Cheers,

White Privilege and Buddhism

This a has been a fun roll. From Angry Asain Buddhist and Progressive Buddhism to Dharma Folk and DJBuddha; the comments and commentaries have been thick and gooey. The back and forth has been constant and (usually) respectful and the learning washes over us like big waves of razor wire and lemon juice. It stings.

This conversation really shouldn't be easy. It should be rough and painful and eye-opening (even if just alittle). It needs to shed some blood so that it gets us all together on the same level of understanding so we can figure out exactly why we react and feel about certian things that usually have the tendency to remain underground and hidden.

[from Resist Racism] The next obvious step is to find ways to open our doors to those who can come to us. I hear that some San Francisco churches have created a kind of covenant of “open congregation.” This means that in their literature and at their services, classes, and events they make it known that they welcome people of color, gays and lesbians, and so on. Being pro-active rather than passive on questions of diversity and inclusion.

This is necessary because in America, passivity means white supremacy. It’s subtle and pervasive, conditioned by and conditioning our magazines, movies, tv, our clothing, all the things we buy. It is a virus infecting my mind as a person with so-called privilieges, and the mind of someone who might not have such privileges. ...

So needless to say, this has been an experience. I can't say that I agree with everything brought up in various postings but I can say that majority of commentaries provide readers (white or not) with information that is both valuable and relevant to this issue. I agree with "resistance" when he/she states that there is a need for individuals (regardless of color) to be proactive about these issues. We all need to seek out opportunity to be receptive as well. And try not to knee jerk. I love knee jerking. My knees I think habitually knee-jerk. One closing remark though...

[from Resist Racism]"People of color are not responsible for the education of white people."

Not solely responsible -no. However, nothing is learned when people remain silent. Speak up. Call me an asshole (nicely), if you need to. Explain my faults or poor reasoning. My responsibility is to listen and understand. That is the capstone of education.

So to end this post I would wrap up with a quote (of which I have no idea of the meaning) to illustrate the need to, when all else fails, keep it simple stupid.:

In the works of Pynchon, a predominant concept is the distinction between ground and figure. The subject is interpolated into a expressionism that includes sexuality as a totality. In a sense, the premise of the subdialectic paradigm of discourse suggests that reality has intrinsic meaning, but only if Lyotardist narrative is valid; if that is not the case, we can assume that the raison d’etre of the artist is social comment.

When all else fails: Keep it simple stupid.

Buddhist Politician Eats Baby...Your Baby is Next!

Sorry about the silly title and picture but I am expecting that something like this is eventually going to run if religion takes the forefront of the Virginia's 20th District race (which it may have already). And the photo still cracks me up...

Inspired by the posting over at Progressive Buddhism and with the current events over in Virginia with Erik Curren I thought I would like to speak alittle on the topic.

And for the last decade or more, like millions of Americans, I have practiced meditation. Sometimes I walk and sometimes I sit. But always, taking a break from daily activity helps me think about my life and connect with a deeper truth. With increasing scientific evidence for the benefits of meditation to calm the stress of today’s busy world, it’s no wonder that this simple practice has spread to corporate boardrooms, hospitals, schools, and even churches across the United States.

See, I barely call this Buddhism and would not really consider Erik a Buddhist. The bottom line is that he practices meditation and has enough vision to pull from a broad array of spiritual teachers rather than just from the one he was born into or is the most familiar to him. And good for him. It seems that it would have been much easier for him to say that he is a practicing Christian (which he is) and that he meditates for the therapeutic benefits (which he does). If he feels strongly enough about his beliefs to consider himself Buddhist then he is one. This is not an exclusive term.

I practice weekly with mostly Christian Buddhists (or Zen Christians but whats in a label) who consider themselves equal parts both. They take the teachings of Buddha and use them in conjunction with Christian beliefs. I don't see them as any less Buddhist than the lay-practitioners that run our group or any less Christian than everybody else out here in SD.

[from NewsVirginian]When Erik chose to ignore my advice about sharing his faith, and instead only posting that he attends a Methodist church, I thought that a little too disingenuous for me to be able to recommend him to my supporters.

There are some in the Christian community who can’t understand or get past my being a Democrat. There are some Democrats who have issues with me wearing my faith on my sleeve. To each of you I will tell you that in my life I hope to be a Christian first and then be the rest. As far as being a Democrat, it ranks sixth, just after being a Redskins fan.

It seems to me that the comment Tracy Pyles is making is that his vote goes first to religion and then to policy. While I am the first to say that you should vote with your heart. When your heart says that you will not vote for someone because their spiritual life (not their moralistic views, mind you) is slightly different than yours; you may need to reflect on yourself. This seems just as bad as superficially voting for someone because they like the same movies as you or read the same book.

The fact that faith - any faith - plays such a huge role in politics still irks me. The fact that any political candidate has to woo the Christian Right with weekly church visits and ridiculous shows of piety to reaffirm everyone that "Hey, I'm just like you" makes me somewhat ill. It would be just as bad if a Buddhist paraded themselves around as a Buddhist just to hit a specific demographic (I never heard of that happening but I suppose it could). Curren puts it best when he states...

It is understandable that people are curious about and may even fear things that they do not understand. So it is a service to civil discourse for people of different faiths to share their beliefs and practices in a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance. Recognizing that all major religions teach the same basic ideas –to seek truth, promote love, and care for God’s creation — faith can be a way to bring us all together on a higher plane.

But all too often religion is used by misguided leaders to pull our communities apart and to sow the seeds of discord. This is a misuse of religious faith in my opinion, and I feel compelled to speak out against religious prejudice and bigotry.

Its true. I converse with individuals with faiths that span the gamut from Christian sects to Buddhists to wiccans and pagans to atheists and agnostics. We can all agree on the same basic moralistic foundation once we promise to avoid anything coming from a holy text. Our basic human-nature drives us towards the same concepts. Its when the superficial aspect of the religion get utilized do we really get our divisions.

[From Progressive Buddhism] Buddhism really is just another ‘scary foreign’ religion for a lot of people, especially in the rural Bible belt. I do have to say though, these prejudices aren’t the norm, and from my experience, many of the people that I interact with that are non-Buddhist in rural areas, even many Fundamentalist Christians, are understanding and compassionate folks. It is those that should know better, that use the differences in people as a wedge, for political or economic reasons that I find detestable. I live here in Virginia, and know Augusta County fairly well, and if you think the hostility that Curren is getting from fellow Democrats is bad, just wait until the conservative Republicans get a hold of him.

Again true! I used to teach and tutor out here in the Midwest and the basic understanding is that if you are white then you are Christian. When it comes out otherwise you get sideways glances or forced friendliness ("Oh, a Buddhist...thats...interesting. So do you believe in Jesus?"). One positive is that after reciting "The Five Remembrances" to a gaggle of Jehovah's Witnesses that were particularly saccharine; I haven't seen them since.

But to be honest, once you get past the initial shock and stuttering, most are legitimately curious about your practice. It is a great opportunity to share what you believe and provide a resource about something that most may not be familiar with. Word got around at work pretty quickly that I was a Buddhist and I got some stupid shit from people trying to "save" me and some that lumped me into that "New Age" jargon or thought that I was serene all the time and watched "The Secret" *shiver*.

And I never pushed my religion onto anyone that I worked with especially the children. Any Fundies that worked there would throw Jesus into all of their lessons and it was simple horrible. I never did that. If someone asked what I was then I told them but I never pushed it or said that it was the "right" way only that it was right for me.

I did get a kick out of the fact one of the constant troublemakers in my class came up to me on my last day of working there and asked me how one becomes a Buddhist. I was already on my out to greener pastures so I answered her that if she was asking then she probably already was.

This only stay "foreign" for as long as we make them such. And this is not a comment on "Traditional" Buddhism or "Asian" Buddhism or "Western Buddhism". The concepts are foreign. Changing the language or discarding the incense and robes won't change that. The only way that it changes is by doing what Curren is doing - being open and honest about our religion/non-religion/philosophy and being receptive to the fact that some people will think it is weird and strange. Then take that opportunity to explain and teach - not to convert or judge.

Cheers,

I apologize if this post is rambling...I was rushing to finish before my break was over.

Kapleau's 5 Forms

The 5 Forms of Zen Meditation: as described by Kapleau Roshi in "3 Pillars of Zen"

Bompu Zen (Ordinary Zen) - Free of any philosophic or religious content, bompu zen is for everyone and everybody. Practiced solely in the belief that Zen is beneficial for physical and mental well-being. Through this practice you learn to focus concentration and control your mind's activity.

Gedo Zen (Outside Way Zen) - Zen related to religious practice and spirituality but yet not actual Buddhist Zen. Hindu yoga, Christian prayer or reflection and some "New Age" practices may be included in this category. A primary feature of this sort of Zen is that the ultimate goal is some cultivation of supranormal powers or skills or to master certain arts.

Shojo Zen (Small Vehicle) - This is the form of zen most standard practitioners fall into line with. Its primary goal is to bring you from the state of delusion to the state of enlightenment. This sort of Zen practice is in line with standard Buddhist practice but not really in accord with Zen teachings. The main reason for this is that Shojo only ferries one person (you) to the shores of enlightenment. It is an expedient form of Zen that does not take into account the inner meanings of the Buddha's enlightenment (existence as an inseparable whole)

Daijo Zen (Great Vehicle) - Mahayana Buddhist Zen with the central purpose of of kensho, the seeing of your own implicit Buddha-nature and the realization of the Way in your daily life. The practice of zazen is seen as a means to an end and that end is satori awakening. In this practice of zazen your aim at the beginning in to awaken your True Nature, but upon enlightenment you learn that zazen was both a means and an ends. It is a path to satori awakening as well as the expression of it.

Saijojo Zen - Highest form of Zen practiced by the Buddhas. Also called Shikan-taza (silent sitting).

I have mixed feelings about these classifications. The first two (Bompu and Gedo) work well for me. These are beneficial meditative practices but not Buddhist. Yoga practice would fall into the spirit of both of these categories. Yoga as an exercise would fall into the spirit of Bompu Zen while yoga as a spiritual tool (Yogacara Schools) would fall into Gedo Zen.

Just to clarify, Yoga is not Zen (and I am not trying to say that it is) but like Zen it is a spiritual path that has entered popular cultures in many differing manifestations; some true to its original intent and some not. I utilize yoga in my practice but it is not integral to it - it does however help supplement it. To a real yoga practitioner - my yoga would be extremely rudimentary - but yoga nonetheless. The same is true of Zen.

The next form described by Kapleau Roshi is really just a holdback from the Mahayana view of the Theravada tradition as being a "lesser vehicle". Shojo Zen is really just Theravada Buddhism. I think the difference that Kapleau is trying to enunciate is that of the Arhat Path versus the Bodhisattva Path. In Theravada Buddhism the Arhat path is a path that one person takes to free themselves while the Bodhisattva path takes into account the desire of the Mahayana Buddhist to free all other beings from their suffering as well.

The last two divisions (Daijo and Saijojo) are really, to me, belonging in the same category of Zen practice. Both focus on seated meditation and while the Rinzai tradition sees Daijo as the highest form, the Soto tradition sees Saijojo as the highest form. So from a Western Zen viewpoint, these are practically the same since most of the tradition that is being developed here is coming from a melding of both the Rinzai and Soto traditions.

Cheers,