Study

[Mujin]

I am currently reading the book, "Living by Vow" by Okumura. He mentions quite often about the practice and study of Buddhism and Dharma. What is there to study regarding these? Sutra? Books? I'd like to deepen my practice of Zen, just curious what the author may mean by stating to study as well as practice Shikantaza.

Gassho,

Mujin

SatTodayLAH

[Kokuu]

Hi Mujin

In my experience there are a few ways to study the dharma. These include the lives of the Buddhist ancestors, including the Buddha himself; the teachings from early suttas, Mahayana sutras and works of Zen masters and contemporary teachers; the history and practice of Soto Zen, and 'how to' guides to practice.

We have an extensive recommended reading list that can support your practice, but in reality you don't need to read too much in order to sit well. That said, it can be nice to have some knowledge of Zen and other Buddhist traditions.

Shohaku Okumura's books are a fantastic read and he is a very reliable teacher, as his is teacher Uchiyama Roshi, who wrote Opening the Hand of Thought.

Some folk have also recommended The Zen Masters Dance by Jundo Cohen but who knows what that is like?

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Shoshin]

Hi!
I just started reading this book too . I'm at the very begging but I guess Okomura means reading the Sutras and also books and texts by historical zen masters, like Dogen, and also contemporary masters. Also listening to Dharma talks is a way to study the Dharma.

I'm reading, also "The Zen Master's Dance" written by Jundo. It's a guide to understand Dogen and it's really nicely written. I really recommend it.
Someone here recommended the "Heart Of Buddha's Teaching" by soto zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. It explains some of the basic Buddhist teachings. I'm ready it too and I find it very helpful.

I've practiced zen very intermittently since many years ago but until Iess than one year ago I wasn't consistent. So I consider myself a beginner. So... take what I'm going to say as the words of someone that has no idea what they talk about :

As I see it there are four pillars to our practice:

Shikantaza
Studying the Dharma
The Sangha
Living trying to apply to our daily life what we learn from the other three pillars

The study of the Dharma helps me to understand what's going on when I sit in zazen, gives me some extra "faith" in the practice for the days when I have some doubts and helps me as an inspiration to be more authentic, more compassionate and more accepting in my day to day life.

Gassho,
Satlah

[Houzan]

As I see it there are four pillars to our practice:

Shikantaza
Studying the Dharma
The Sangha
Living trying to apply to our daily life what we learn from the other three pillars

Don’t forget about the precepts!

Gassho, Hōzan
satlah

[Shoshin]

Don’t forget about the precepts!

Gassho, Hōzan
satlah

I thought the precepts are included in the Dharma teachings. Aren't they?

Gassho,
Satlah

[Houzan]

I thought the precepts are included in the Dharma teachings. Aren't they?

Gassho,
Satlah

You’re probably right Guess we could slice and dice «practice» in a number of ways.

Gassho, Hōzan
satlah

[Bion]

I thought the precepts are included in the Dharma teachings. Aren't they?

Gassho,
Satlah

I'd say you already included them in the part about LIVING THE TEACHINGS, or applying what we learn. The Precepts have the same span as our life, especially once one formally receives them. So, to truly study the precepts means to study our own lives, moment by moment.

Gassho
sat lah

[Junsho]

So, to truly study the precepts means to study our own lives, moment by moment.

Bion, I totally agree with you.

I hope that nobody understand me wrong, I am just a student so I rarely say something here with more details but today I will open an exception.

As I can see, the words in books or talking are the way to transmit an idea, to give to you a kickstart, a way to go or to correct your path but no book will teach you the real Dharma.

The teachings of Buddha are about to live in an authentic way, here and now. Don't think that the reflex of the moon in a pond is the moon.

However, even no book is needed, If even you really would like a suggestion of a book a great way to start is with this one

https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Homeless-Kosho-Uchiyama-Roshi-ebook/dp/B00JYDSF88

Gassho!
SatLah

[Jundo]

by soto zen master Thich Nhat Hanh

Just a note that TNH, while a wonderful guide, was not a Teacher of Soto Zen. His flavor of Vietnamese Thien is more influenced by mindfulness and Southeast Asian traditions.

And, yet, never forget the Precepts!

Gassho, Jundo
stlah