The appeal of Zen in the West over other forms of Buddhism

[Foursquare]

Re: The appeal of Zen in the West over other forms of Buddhism

I think Pure Land chanting Buddhism is the largest Buddhist group but Zen appeals to me in the fact it cuts through the chafe and grows straight for the wheat ...

That's why it appeals to me. It goes straight to the heart of the matter.

[will]

Re: The appeal of Zen in the West over other forms of Buddhism

Zen is cool. It talks about one hand clapping and instant enlightenment, and poetry, and so on, but in fact Zen is quite boring to thinking mind. Everyone has different reason for coming to Zen. But generally we let the Zen do the Zen.

Gassho

W

[disastermouse]

Re: The appeal of Zen in the West over other forms of Buddhism

This is an interesting conversation. I think there are a lot of misconceptions about Zen - probably East AND West. It would be nice for some of us to think that Zen was a stripped-down, un-superstitious version of the Buddhas' (remember, even in Zen, there's more than one) teachings...but this is a convenient self-deception. I suspect that some of us have a hard time reconciling this romantic iconoclastic vision of Zen with actual Zen. But I've found that allowing this greater reality of what Zen is, it brings in things that we might find uncomfortable. Being involved with this sangha has forced me to confront self-deceptions regarding morality and community in ways I would not have imagined.

So, maybe it's not the ride YOU'D build, or the ride you thought it was - but it might be worthwhile to see where it goes.

I guess that maybe Zen is 'popular' partly due to misconceptions that appeal to a particular consumerist, individualist mindset - otherwise, why would those 'sit like a Zen Master' CDs sell? Obviously this isn't the only appeal of Zen, but if it WASN'T there, how could it be exploited by these companies?

Chet