Zen in Popular Culture (what motivated you to practice?)

[Juki]

Jundo, that was awesome. Thank you. I don't know if you remember the pilot episode of Kung Fu, which was a 90 minute episode. At the beginning, it showed the young orphan Caine standing outside the monastery for several days, in the rain and in the dark, waiting to be admitted. Kind of like Tangaryo. There is also a similar scene in Fight Club, where potential members have to stand on the porch for three days "without food, shelter or encouragement." When I first found Treeleaf, and sent you my e- mail request to join, I did not hear back or get access for several days. I figured that must have been my virtual Tangaryo.

Gassho,
William

[Jundo]

I figured that must have been my virtual Tangaryo.

Gassho,
William

Yes, and we are thinking of soon adding this ritual for all our Treeleaf members.

[Daijo]

OK Jundo but let me master the thing Caine is doing with his fingers in the other picture first.

[Daijo]

I'm still upset that the network stole Kung Fu from Bruce Lee. I suppose I should probably "let that go."

[jus]

pretty much like a lot of americans; alan watts, kerouac, and the beat zen lead me to check out the suzukis, other more serious western zen authors/practitioners. i was also reading a lot of krishnamurti, ram dass, yogananda, and guys like kornfield and levine (father and son), so the concept of eastern religion and meditation wasnt new to me when i decided i went to get deeper into zen. i had a zen friend who would drag me to a tibetan tradition thing once in a while, and this old dude who used to hang in the village with kerouac and those guys initially put me onto alan watts. these are people i knew from doing the 12 step recovery thing, so some form of spirituality was pretty much mandated and a lot of what we all talked about with each other. also, i know hes a theravade dude- but noah levine actually really inspired me at first. i think a lot of people may think of him as controversial, with the whole punk rock fight the system addiction recovery buddhism, but i dont have an opinion on it. eckhart tolle is contreversial in buddhist circles as well, but i dont hate on guys like that because theyve all been helpful to me and have led me to more deeper practices. gassho, justin

[Heion]

While my arrival to Buddhist doesn't deal with as much to popular culture and will probably be a lot less interesting, I learned about it from my therapist. He mentioned meditation to me and while I didn't think much about it at the time, I had a clarinet lesson with a new teacher the next day. I told my teacher about my anxiety problems and he said he had similar problems when he was my age, citing meditation as a great way to relieve myself of suffering. So later that day, I listened to a guided meditation and began immersing myself in the Buddhist culture, as I was quite tired of Catholicism.

Gassho,
Alex

[MyoHo]

Good question! Thanks for all the great stories guys!

For me I guess practicing several martial arts led me to Zen. A fascination with the samurai Way in my early years. The novel by Eiji Yoshikwa "Myamoto Musashi" and the character based on Takuan Soho sparked an interest in Budo, Zen and Japanese history and culture. It stayed with me ever since. Practicing Kendo and Iaido and reading more Takuan first and going on to others from there, led me to sitting. Eventually I abandoned my sword and all other arms and focused on sitting, bonsai, gardening, painting etc. Still love the old 'chambara' movies though! Takuans teachings still are among my favorites and one quote I would like to share with you It has been with me during my being a soldier, later when studying the way of the sword and now the way of living as a man, a husband and a dad:

The sword, the spiritual exercise and the unfettered mind ... [with] effort and
patience ... should become one. We are to practice, practice with whatever we
may have at hand, until the enemies of our own anger, hesitation and greed are
cut down with the celerity and decisiveness of the stroke of the sword.
Takuan Soho


Gassho

Enkyo

[KellyM]

Nothing really stands out in my mind as "the thing that was my introduction". My dad had an interest in bonsai when I was a kid, and that probably led to things that introduced ideas into my mind more than any pop culture thing did. I know it was what led to my interest in Taoism, as well as me hearing stories about the Monkey King and eventually getting a copy of "Journey to the West".

The thing that finally made me decide to stop "playing with" Buddhism (like a kid "playing with" their food, rather than just eating the meal) and commit myself to daily practice was definitely a pop culture thing, though. An early episode of the show "Community". In it, the character Troy is obsessing over what he should do with his high school letterman jacket... whether he should take it off because people tell him it's not cool to keep wearing it in college, or continue wearing it to show those people that he isn't going to give in and do what they think he should. The character Jeff tells him that it doesn't really matter because, either way, he'd be making the choice based on other people. He tells Troy to simply wear or not wear the jacket based on whether or not he wants to. It really made me look at how many things I've been choosing to do or not do because of other people's expectations, rather than what I think would truly be the best choices for me at this point in my life.

Gassho,
Kelly

[Jundo]

While my arrival to Buddhist doesn't deal with as much to popular culture and will probably be a lot less interesting, I learned about it from my therapist. He mentioned meditation to me and while I didn't think much about it at the time, I had a clarinet lesson with a new teacher the next day. I told my teacher about my anxiety problems and he said he had similar problems when he was my age, citing meditation as a great way to relieve myself of suffering. So later that day, I listened to a guided meditation and began immersing myself in the Buddhist culture, as I was quite tired of Catholicism.

Gassho,
Alex

Hi Alex,

Don't write off Catholicism too quickly, and keep your eyes open to all ways. Zazen and Catholicism are not an "either/or" matter always, and many people practice both. In one's youth, it is good to keep one's eyes and heart open, even to the tradition one's family comes from.

Gassho, Jundo

[Heion]

Hi Alex,

Don't write off Catholicism too quickly, and keep your eyes open to all ways. Zazen and Catholicism are not an "either/or" matter always, and many people practice both. In one's youth, it is good to keep one's eyes and heart open, even to the tradition one's family comes from.

Gassho, Jundo

I shall try to keep an open mind! Thank you for the advice. I do know a lot of very nice people who have helped me at the church and did not intend for my little snippet to sound so aggresive.

With metta,
Alex

[Risho]

That's a good point. I call myself a Zen Christian.lol. Christianity is just a part of me and interstingly practice has strengthened my faith and opened my mind to others beliefs.

I had been sort of exposed to zen when I was younger but just some of the philosophy. I had no idea it was a practice. A friend recommended Tolle to me (sort of pop i guess). Tolle referenced zen here and there so I picked up a real zen book, most of which I couldnt comprehend but felt right somehow. After I first sat zazen I havent looked back; it just fit. Fortunately I found Treeleaf which also "fit". I Dont know why but it felt so "sane". It's funny how things do work themselves out.

Gassho

Risho

[Kokuu]

Don't write off Catholicism too quickly, and keep your eyes open to all ways. Zazen and Catholicism are not an "either/or" matter always, and many people practice both. In one's youth, it is good to keep one's eyes and heart open, even to the tradition one's family comes from.

Wise words, Jundo.

Alex, if you want to read some Catholic teachings that are also very alive to Zen, I can heartily recommend 'New Seeds of Compassion' by Father Thomas Merton. It is probably my favourite non-Buddhist 'dharma' book. Father Merton engaged in discussions with both DT Suzuki and Thich Nhat Hanh in his later life and recognised the similarities of Zen with his own contemplative practice (although it must be pointed out that neither Suzuki nor Thay practice the same kind of Zen as we do here).


Gassho
Andy

[Nengyo]

Master Kan: Quickly as you can, snatch the pebble from my hand.

[Young Caine tries to do so and fails]

Master Kan: When you can take the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave.

Gassho, J

Now I'm confused. Should I stop meditating and only practice pebble snatching or should I just add some pebble snatching practice before and after sitting?

[Kokuu]

Now I'm confused. Should I stop meditating and only practice pebble snatching or should I just add some pebble snatching practice before and after sitting?

I don't know, Catfish. What is the sound of one hand snatching?

[Jiken]

I don't know, Catfish. What is the sound of one hand snatching?

lol. I know the answer. Its purple.

Gassho,

Daido