WHAT IS ZEN? - Chap 3 - Form and Ritual

[KellyRok]

I think Treeleaf offers a healthy balance when it comes to form and ritual. I think we respect Zen traditions while being flexible and open to new ideas.
When I first started with Treeleaf, I felt awkward when bowing. I didn't really understand it. It wasn't until I sat through my first 2 day retreat that it's purpose and meaning truly sunk in. Norman Fisher described it perfectly at the end of the chapter 3 when he questions his own teacher on bowing. He notes that, "...you are not bowing to an external power....your bowing is conditioning you to respect what is deepest and truest within you - and in everything and everyone else."

For me, I bow to show respect to all those who've come before and in gratitude for teachings, for all of you and for life in general.

Gassho,
Kelly/Jinmei
Sattoday/lah

[Seishin]

Two things.

1. As I've been lapsed on music related responses of late, deep bows for Jundo's Vapors link. A veritable blast from the past.

2. When sitting Zazenkai one way, would it be disrespectful to sit in vest and shorts given the heatwave in Europe at the moment, black of course.
3 Same for the FSR?

I'm sure we've covered this before, as odd references to au naturale spring to mind.

I normally sit in jogging bottoms and a T but delaying my morning sit, in order to walk my dog in the cool, means I am now sweltering in our east facing study.

Maybe slightly off piste but possibly in line with this section of the book.

Sent from my NEM-L51 using Tapatalk

[Jundo]

Two things.

1. As I've been lapsed on music related responses of late, deep bows for Jundo's Vapors link. A veritable blast from the past.

2. When sitting Zazenkai one way, would it be disrespectful to sit in vest and shorts given the heatwave in Europe at the moment, black of course.
3 Same for the FSR?

I'm sure we've covered this before, as odd references to au naturale spring to mind.

I normally sit in jogging bottoms and a T but delaying my morning sit, in order to walk my dog in the cool, means I am now sweltering in our east facing study.

Maybe slightly off piste but possibly in line with this section of the book.

Sent from my NEM-L51 using Tapatalk

It is okay to sit in shorts, especially in this heat. Nishijima Roshi even let us do so in our summer retreat, although he was always in full robes and Kesa.

You refer to my invite to the nudist Zazen group. Bring your own towel.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shinshi]

I've talked before about my transformation from being pretty anti-ritual to embracing it. One thing that I now see differently is that I see ritual as connecting me to others. As we perform the rituals together it brings us together and bonds in a way. And it does that across time as well. I am bowing right along with those that have bowed before. I am connected to them, and with them as we do the rituals together. I think it also demonstrates respect to past teachers and practitioners.

This weekend I have come to think about ritual in a new way as well. I have been doing a clinic with a clinician that I really respect. Seeing him this weekend reminded me of the first clinic I did with him when, at the end of the session, he warned everyone about homeostasis. He said that people get all excited about what they learn in a clinic - but once they get home old habits get triggered by the environment and situations. That it is really common to slip into old habits if you don't take steps to guard your new learning.

I thought about this chapter. I think one more benefit of ritual is that it is kind of armor against slipping away from practice. It kind of grounds the practice. It helps establish habits that keeps you headed down the path even when you might be faltering a bit. At least that is what I think today.

Like many things I think the danger of ritual is that it becomes the focus. If it becomes the goal rather than a manifestation then it can be a trap that thwarts, rather than supports, practice.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Kyousui]

Coming from a very ritualistic spiritual tradition and being bored with it, I wrestled with it when I got into Buddhism. I think I've finally found my right measure of ritual (and it does have it's place as a way to focus one's mind). I stuggle with Oryoki, and find it stressful when I go to a dirt-space sesshin. However, I can see how it is useful as a practice in paying attention to now.

I like the Bodhisattva vows we do at Treeleaf, but I feel the need to start with "I vow" at the beginning of the chant.

SAT/LAH

[AlanLa]

Zen ritual is important to me. It helps me focus before zazen (sat today) while adding religious significance to the practice. Then again, zazen with ritual is just sitting, and zazen without ritual is still just sitting. Ritual isn't necessary for me when doing momentary zazen while waiting in the grocery cashier line, for example.

Ritual needs to have personal meaning for me in order to continue doing it. Otherwise it is just pantomime and/or bland recitation. Thus it is important to understand the origins of our rituals and what they mean so that I can find a way to relate to it. I don't just recite the vows, precepts, Heart Sutra, etc. with zazen, besides the focus and religious significance they give me, I also use them as a lens to examine or reflect on my daily life. To me, that is their purpose.

Religious rituals and VERY important to people. A former student of mine is a pastor, and he told me that the most frequent conversation he has with his parishioners is complaints and comments on the service. Heaven forbid (pun intended) he ever change the service in any way, no matter how small, because that results in an explosion of complaint and commentary, but even regular services get regularly critiqued in regards to the sermon, Bible verses, hymns, etc. For him, the pastor, he wants to keep it fresh, but for his members consistency seems to be more important than the meaning of what it is they are doing. To paraphrase one of our sayings, it's all still church!

[Jundo]

Zen ritual is important to me. It helps me focus before zazen (sat today) while adding religious significance to the practice. Then again, zazen with ritual is just sitting, and zazen without ritual is still just sitting. Ritual isn't necessary for me when doing momentary zazen while waiting in the grocery cashier line, for example.

Ritual needs to have personal meaning for me in order to continue doing it. Otherwise it is just pantomime and/or bland recitation. Thus it is important to understand the origins of our rituals and what they mean so that I can find a way to relate to it. I don't just recite the vows, precepts, Heart Sutra, etc. with zazen, besides the focus and religious significance they give me, I also use them as a lens to examine or reflect on my daily life. To me, that is their purpose.

Religious rituals and VERY important to people. A former student of mine is a pastor, and he told me that the most frequent conversation he has with his parishioners is complaints and comments on the service. Heaven forbid (pun intended) he ever change the service in any way, no matter how small, because that results in an explosion of complaint and commentary, but even regular services get regularly critiqued in regards to the sermon, Bible verses, hymns, etc. For him, the pastor, he wants to keep it fresh, but for his members consistency seems to be more important than the meaning of what it is they are doing. To paraphrase one of our sayings, it's all still church!

Part of our ritual here, Al, is to put "sattoday" on our posts, so I ask that you do. We shall have sat Zazen before posting and chat.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[AlanLa]

It's in the first line, and I sat today, too.

[Troy]

I think ritual is ultimately unnecessary to live a spiritual life. However, I believe ritual can help bring together a group of like minded people because it gives some structure within which to practice. I find the simplest rituals like a bow, lighting incense, reciting a short chant, or the ringing of a bell to be the most beautiful.


Sat2day

[Jishin]

IMG_1040.JPG

[emoji3]

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Jundo]

[ATTACH]5234[/ATTACH]

[emoji3]

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

(I don't know how you find all these great cartoons that I somehow missed over the years.

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[Jundo]

By the way, I while we are pretty "minimalist" on ritual at Treeleaf Sangha, we still have them and they seem pretty popular (with most folks). There are a few Buddhist communities that have even less ceremony then we do, but they still have some (their own kind) if you look closely.

As a matter of fact, I recent heard that even groups of atheists and non-religious humanists have found that their organizations need some ceremonies to mark something, build community and bestow lessons. Think about even civil society: school graduations, the Queen's speech or Presidential inaugural, blowing out the candles at the birthday party, cutting the ribbon on the new bridge or ship, group conventions and award ceremonies ... there are lots.

Here is a short video from the humanists ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzTXicmkrQ4

All Humanist-Buddhists (and Christian Buddhists, Jewish Buddhists, Atheist and Agnostic Buddhists) welcome around Treeleaf! Even Buddhist-Buddhists or not sure what they are Buddhists (or not). So long as they are people doing their best to be gentle people who sit Zazen (our Ritual of Non-Ritual Rituals)

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[Shokai]

How is it possible for some one to not have a religious belief?

gassho, Shokai

stlah

[Jishin]

How is it possible for some one to not have a religious belief?

gassho, Shokai

stlah

I don’t believe! I just believe in not believing. [emoji2]

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Shokai]

Aha!! We found one....

I just believe in not believing.

A religious belief, Ta..Da..

gassho,Shokai

stlah