Re: Great Awakening - Dropping Body-Mind
Because realized or not, we're all human.
I agree with this, but in our practice we should realize that we are all connected and that the way I treat you is the way I treat myself.
For the short time I've been on this planet, 34 years, I've realized that life will make sure you're not comfortable even though you try to behave otherwise, and I do fall into that trap a lot.
But I honestly do not care what the internet has to say about this Sangha. We are offered a lot of advice and teachings by people who we do not accept as our teachers. It is our responsibility for the path we take.
Should we send him a trophy or plaque? This is sarcasm.. I just couldn't help it. :mrgreen:
I don't know Chet. But here's the deal, zen or not. We're all adults here. We should all be able to treat each other with a modicum of respect. To put a concrete example, I wouldn't walk into Shunryu Suzuki's house and call him out in front of the entire Sangha because he didn't have Kensho or wouldn't validate my Kensho. That's not respectful, and if I'm a namby pamby because I believe in treating others with respect, well then that's how it will be.
I don't need a watchdog to save me from false teachings. As I said earlier, I'm a grown up and I'm responsible for the beliefs I have and teachings I follow. Just because someone offers a teaching, doesn't exempt me from responsibility from testing the validity of said teaching in my life. Didn't the Buddha say that?
Everyone is a hypocrite, every single one of us. We are human, we are flawed. Just because we know better, should never prevent us from teaching others the correct way from our mistakes, or trying better, although we often times fail. We just do, it's a human thing.
When I take Jundo or Taigu to be my teachers, I do so, not with the assumption that Jundo never does stuff he regrets, or never swears when he stubs his toe. I do so because I realize personally, (this is a personal decision that I've made based on my life experience), that the teachings they offer have something to offer me personally. I learn something from it. And I fail. I mean damn, I don't always uphold these teachings, but I strive to. That's why it's called practice after all.
If I waited to find a perfect human being, then I would never find a teacher.
And the same goes the other way. Jundo and Taigu realize that their students won't always practice zazen consistently and make mistakes like I do, but they don't come out and lambast us, and swear at us. They acknowledge the lifestyles of their students and flow with it.
Those are the responsibilities of the teacher and the student. It can't be all give, give, give by the teacher and take, take, take by the student. It must be give and take. If Jundo offers teachings, and I blast back at him, then why should he want to be my teacher? Obviously, I'm telling him (if only by my attitude) that I don't want him as my teacher.
It's not just realization. It's also actualization of what one has realized in the world... in the marketplace... otherwise this practice is a waste of time.
Originally posted by Stephanie
Originally posted by Stephanie
Originally posted by Stephanie
But I honestly do not care what the internet has to say about this Sangha. We are offered a lot of advice and teachings by people who we do not accept as our teachers. It is our responsibility for the path we take.
Originally posted by Stephanie
Originally posted by Stephanie
I don't need a watchdog to save me from false teachings. As I said earlier, I'm a grown up and I'm responsible for the beliefs I have and teachings I follow. Just because someone offers a teaching, doesn't exempt me from responsibility from testing the validity of said teaching in my life. Didn't the Buddha say that?
Originally posted by Stephanie
When I take Jundo or Taigu to be my teachers, I do so, not with the assumption that Jundo never does stuff he regrets, or never swears when he stubs his toe. I do so because I realize personally, (this is a personal decision that I've made based on my life experience), that the teachings they offer have something to offer me personally. I learn something from it. And I fail. I mean damn, I don't always uphold these teachings, but I strive to. That's why it's called practice after all.
If I waited to find a perfect human being, then I would never find a teacher.
And the same goes the other way. Jundo and Taigu realize that their students won't always practice zazen consistently and make mistakes like I do, but they don't come out and lambast us, and swear at us. They acknowledge the lifestyles of their students and flow with it.
Those are the responsibilities of the teacher and the student. It can't be all give, give, give by the teacher and take, take, take by the student. It must be give and take. If Jundo offers teachings, and I blast back at him, then why should he want to be my teacher? Obviously, I'm telling him (if only by my attitude) that I don't want him as my teacher.
Originally posted by Stephanie
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