How to gift-wrap zen

[Tokan]

Hey all

Therefore I ponder: how could zen be stripped down and/or “adapted” for the everyday-person in order to attract a bigger audience? What could this “gift-wrapping” look like? How far could it be adapted without loosing the essence of zen?

I guess my view is that Buddhist practices have already been stripped down for mainstream society as such, with multiple adaptations of meditation and mindfulness practices as well as Buddhist affirmations everywhere you look, not to mention secular Buddhism. I echo other sentiments here that these things are all great if they help you live a healthy and connected life, you don't need a 'label' to be a kind and helpful human. For those that seek a more philosophical understanding, or want to look under the veneer of 'reality', there is Zen.

I don't think we need to be out there converting the masses since the point of Zen seems to be that you arrive at its doors independently (as such). However, I do find it sad that Buddhist practices like mindfulness have become part of 'self-management' techniques that can be turned towards harmful outcomes and does not necessarily mean the lessening of greed, anger and ignorance as motivating factors. For me, this is the fundamental value of Zen, that we are encouraged to live by the Bodhisatta Vows and precepts whether we take them in Jukai or not.

I think Seiko made a good point that various leanings of Buddhism have made their mission known in different ways which has appealed to some and not others, many flavours of soup to taste! Reading Zen history, it seems that regardless of the institution, it is the teacher who adds the seasoning to the soup!!!

Gassho, Tokan (satlah)

[Jundo]

I don't think we need to be out there converting the masses since the point of Zen seems to be that you arrive at its doors independently (as such).

Yes, this is true. We generally do not proselytize in Zen Buddhism, seeking aggressively to convert sometime to Buddhism.

But that does not mean that we do not also work to rescue all (ALL) sentient beings, though numberless. The Bodhisattva Vow does not that we Vow only to save fellow Buddhists. We work to rescue everyone from suffering, and may often include people who are not Buddhists, or who are not demanding to be saved. If we see someone drowning, we do not wait to ask if they want us to toss them a rope ... we just toss a rope. Of course, we do not usually force anyone to grab the rope, and that is up to them. But we try to rescue who we can.

And, as a footnote, I will tell you something else, historically, there would be no Zen Buddhism in China, Korea or Japan, and maybe no Buddhism itself, if there had not been a little proselytizing, trying to make Zen attractive to influential people in society such as aristocrats, kings and sponsors. Zen and all Buddhism in Japan only spread as far and wide as it did because of a government order in the 17th century that all Japanese people MUST register and support their local Buddhist temple (meant as a means to keep our Christianity, with the priests serving as government eyes to make sure that there were no closet Christians among their parishioners). It is true. In China, Zen succeeded because the Roshis knew how to "work the room" (here is a book on the topic, only recommended for real Zen history wonks, however):

Monks, Rulers, and Literati: The Political Ascendancy of Chan Buddhism

https://www.amazon.com/Monks-Rulers-Literati-Political-Ascendancy/dp/0195175212

The Buddha also knew that the monk's bread was buttered by kings and other wealthy folks too, and he tailored his message to them.

It is in the west, these days, that we do not aggressively seek to chase people in the door, and we should not.

Even here at Treeleaf, I like to say that we put some notices of our existing in Tricycle magazine and around the internet so that people who might need would know of the resources we offer, and to partake if helpful to them ... but we do not engage in shiny advertising campaigns to try to herd people in the door.

My joke is that, here at Treeleaf, I often get criticized for our Sangha being too traditional, or too modern, or too "Japanese" or too "Western," or too "casual" or to "formal" ... often on the same day. Now, recently, I am getting criticized for being too traditional, too modern and too "futurist" too!

Ya can't please everybody, nor is it our job to try. We can only offer some dishes at our table which we believe sincerely are healthy and nutritious.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Tokan]

And, as a footnote, I will tell you something else, historically, there would be no Zen Buddhism in China, Korea or Japan, and maybe no Buddhism itself, if there had not been a little proselytizing, trying to make Zen attractive to influential people in society such as aristocrats, kings and sponsors.

Oh yes, and the reading of The Circle of the Way clearly illustrates the many currents in history that have guided our ship to its present location! If someone approached me today and offered to convert an old building into a zendo to get a sangha up and running, I'd probably court their favour too! Not just to have a zendo, but because that could be a launching pad for other community initiatives. The relative and the absolute like a glove and hand to alleviate suffering.

I don't know really know what should be done anymore. I am grateful to those running soup kitchens for their work to alleviate hunger, but hunger is a growing problem. We still need the soup kitchens but we also need much more. Children in 'ordinary' families are increasingly skipping meals because of the price of food here in NZ, with adults skipping even more. I feel somewhat impotent in the face of this. As well as improved food production methods in the pipeline, I believe many of the solutions are available now - and much of poverty, illness, and suffering could be alleviated by a change in heart of the world's governments, corporations, and those that have more wealth than they could ever need.

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Will001]

To my non philosophical/religiously minded friends, I have described Zen as a kind of mental health modality. Not dissimilar from something like cognitive behavioral therapy.

That said, it's not REALLY accurate. I'm not sure that we should try to gift wrap it. I spent a lot of years sifting through mindfulness experts,"light-workers" and spiritual teachers and it almost always turned into something very odd, or hit a pay wall, etc.

A lot of these folks are adopting aspects from zen and other schools of buddhism, watering it down (read "gift wrap ") for western audiences and doing some really nasty and/or stupid stuff.

Zen evolves everywhere it goes and adopts the flavors of the culture, maybe that's enough?

I don't know.

Sat
W

[Houzan]

People want to fit in with the crowd, to be accepted. The society is not very tolerant of ‘foreign’ cultural practices. So it takes courage to try a totally different approach to religion that is not practiced by the mainstream. My advice to zen newbies is to focus on zazen and adopt other practices as you feel comfortable. At some point you will be true to your experience and not what others say is true.

Gassho
Sat/lah


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[emoji120][emoji120]

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

[Houzan]

My perspective on this has changed over time. When I first began practicing Zen I wanted to learn and do everything. Now that I'm training to do all those things, what is really most important to me is zazen. If my robes and bowls burned away, what would be left but where I stand?

I agree that our traditional forms at Treelaf are already very stripped down, and if I was to start a physical zendo somewhere, there is probably little that I would change. Each practice has its place and reason, even if some is only to uphold tradition.

In my daily life though, I am more trying to embody this practice in the most practical ways. This is not dropping the spiritual aspect, but trying to bring it all together as I feel it is meant to direct my life as a practice. I do not have room for an altar or practice space where I live. I put my zafu down where there is some privacy, gassho, and sit. Sometimes facing a wall, sometimes not. I do not often chant the gathas, but I put my hands palm to palm to bring my attention to the practice of WHY gathas are chanted, such as for eating or bathing.

But to answer OPs question, to package it up properly for someone, I would simply stick to describing the practice of shikantaza. I have had to do this to satisfy the curiosity of very religious family I would rather not have a strain with.

In truth, I strip my daily practice down quite a bit, but this is only because I have great respect for, and continue to practice the traditional forms when it is appropriate. I did not strip them down due to distaste or aversion to ritual.


stlah

Thank you, Geika [emoji120] After they get familiar with zazen and zazen mind in daily life, what would be the next few stones you would stack on stop?

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

[Houzan]

To my non philosophical/religiously minded friends, I have described Zen as a kind of mental health modality. Not dissimilar from something like cognitive behavioral therapy.

That said, it's not REALLY accurate. I'm not sure that we should try to gift wrap it. I spent a lot of years sifting through mindfulness experts,"light-workers" and spiritual teachers and it almost always turned into something very odd, or hit a pay wall, etc.

A lot of these folks are adopting aspects from zen and other schools of buddhism, watering it down (read "gift wrap ") for western audiences and doing some really nasty and/or stupid stuff.

Zen evolves everywhere it goes and adopts the flavors of the culture, maybe that's enough?

I don't know.

Sat
W

Thank you, Will [emoji120] I also use CBT as a way of explaining zen practice. A “self service CBT”, although it doesn’t nearly capture it all.

Also, thank you Seiko, Nengei and Tokan for sharing your views[emoji120]

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

[Ryumon]

People want to fit in with the crowd, to be accepted. The society is not very tolerant of ‘foreign’ cultural practices. So it takes courage to try a totally different approach to religion that is not practiced by the mainstream. My advice to zen newbies is to focus on zazen and adopt other practices as you feel comfortable. At some point you will be true to your experience and not what others say is true.

I’m not sure I agree with that. Part of the success of Tibetan Buddhism in the west is the sheer theatricality of its practices. Some people want to be involved in the most ostentatious traditions.

Gassho,
Ryūmon (Kirk)
Sat

[Amelia]

Thank you, Geika [emoji120] After they get familiar with zazen and zazen mind in daily life, what would be the next few stones you would stack on stop?

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

If they showed true interest, they would probably go looking themselves for their own stones to stack!


stlah

[Houzan]

If they showed true interest, they would probably go looking themselves for their own stones to stack!


stlah

[emoji120][emoji120]

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

[Houzan]

How to gift-wrap zen

I’m not sure I agree with that. Part of the success of Tibetan Buddhism in the west is the sheer theatricality of its practices. Some people want to be involved in the most ostentatious traditions.

Gassho,
Ryūmon (Kirk)
Sat

I think Rich means «most people». I think that is true. At least that is my experience with the people in my life. We are so lucky to have been given an open mind that allowed us to explore our practice. Most people don’t have such a mind. They are not allowed by their mind to explore what could be such a great force of good in their life. Their mind don’t want to accept a gift if it has the “wrong” wrapping.

I don’t really see many “offers” (none really) for these people. Blue ocean? CBT and MBSR are good but they completely misses important points that to me seems critical; e.g. non-grasping mind, that we are already enlightened, and the boddhisattva ideal.

Gassho, Michael
Sat

[Rich]

My perspective is US society. Many christians are even opposed to non denominational yoga practice. Buddha had the same issues with hindus who eventually erradicated buddhism from India

Sat/lah


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[Amelia]

Each person is ultimately unique. A lot of people who are into Zen are at first drawn to the ceremony and robes. Some people right away only wish to sit. I think the most important point is that the teachings are not separated from the practices and called something else.

This is not to say that I have any issue with non-denominational meditation centers. I think sitting practice is most important, so whatever form that takes is great to me.

I just think it is important not to separate the word Zen from its roots.


stlah