Confusion

[Shielo]

Hi all- this is my first post here despite “registering” a while ago. I come from an Irish catholic background but have been moving towards zen in more recent years. However, I still feel a connection to prayers such as the rosary, Celtic mass rocks and monasticism and particular readings. Is it possible to enjoy/embrace all of these aspects or does attachment to one interfere with the benefit of another?

[Jundo]

Hi all- this is my first post here despite “registering” a while ago. I come from an Irish catholic background but have been moving towards zen in more recent years. However, I still feel a connection to prayers such as the rosary, Celtic mass rocks and monasticism and particular readings. Is it possible to enjoy/embrace all of these aspects or does attachment to one interfere with the benefit of another?

Hi Shielo,

When sitting Zazen, during the time of sitting, there is nothing more to do, nothing more in needing of doing, nothing lacking, no other time, all complete.

That said, when getting up from sitting, we do many things ... from working in the garden to watching baseball on TV. Some folks in our Sangha may pray to God or Buddha or undertake anything you mention because it resonates with them.

So, please do so if such resonates with you.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

PS - Would you do me some favors that keep this place a little more human, and focused on sitting? Would you kindly put a human face photo with your posts, and sign a human first name? Thank you.

Also, as you have been around for awhile, would you kindly note "Sat Today" and "LAH" to your posts? Thank you too.

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?22001-NEW-REQUEST-SatToday-Lend-A-Hand-Please-LAH-and-SAT-before-CHAT%21

[Onkai]

Two other books written by Catholics who also practice Buddhism are "Living Zen, Loving God," by Ruben L.F. Habito, and "Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian," by Paul F. Knitter. If I remember correctly, neither of them practice in the Soto Zen tradition, but what they write about applies to our practice.

Gassho, Onkai
Sat lah

[Kaitan]

In chapter 7 "zazen as religion" from the book "Opening the hand of thought", written by Kosho Uchiyama he compares various passages of the Bible that express the attitude of zazen.

Gasshō

Stlah, Kaitan

[Houzan]

Or you might try the book “My Christian Journey with Zen” by Gustav Ericsson (Jundo’s dharma brother).
On the Treeleaf recommended reading list.

Gassho, Hōzan
Satlah

[Shielo]

Thank you for all your replies. It’s very much appreciated.

[Shinshi]

And just to round out the thread. Thich Naht Hanh has two relevant books

Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers
and
Living Buddha, Living Christ

Gassho,

Shinshi
SaT-LaH

[Muad'Dib]

After a long time away from this forum, I come back to find this thread, which just so happens to be the reason I returned!

I left Buddhism for Eastern Orthodox Christianity. One could say that I returned to a form of Christianity that focuses much more on both the mystical and lived experience than other forms in the west. As I've studied and practiced, I stumbled upon Fr. Seraphim Rose, Hieromonk Damascene ("Christ and the Eternal Tao") and the ideas of Logos Spermatikos, as well as the concept of hesychasm, of cultivating stillness / hesychia, etc.

I look back on my Zen practice with great fondness and I wonder how I can approach the apparent contradictions. There's some incredible overlap, but the differences are obvious, as well. The reading recommendations here might prove helpful and I intend to check them out.

[Jundo]

...
I look back on my Zen practice with great fondness and I wonder how I can approach the apparent contradictions. There's some incredible overlap, but the differences are obvious, as well. ...

Best to leave you to figure those out for you. ... and for the you-less too ...

Gassho, J

stlah