Is Zen Buddhism?

[Tiwala]

The sanbokyodan group here doesn't consider Zen to be Buddhism. And neither does Fr Kennedy roshi. The sanbokyodan group was started by a Catholic nun and some of the teachers are part of the Catholic religious. I guess this is the only way they can still consider themselves 100% Catholic despite practicing Zen. Good old Filipino mestizaje

Gassho, Ben

[Jundo]

Hi Ben,

Well, one can Practice Zen combined with Christianity, and that is no problem (as I often say, one can practice Zen combined with many things **)

And Fr, Kennedy and others face pressures from the Catholic Church to de-emphasize the Buddhist aspect (being Catholic nuns and priests subject to excommunication and such). One can find a lot of common ground, and room for Buddha and God (what are names, after all)?

But I am sure that if one looks closely at Fr. Kennedy's Teachings (I have), one finds that the typical Zen and Buddhist Perspectives are there, even if in another guise or expressed a certain way to find the common ground or de-emphasize the "Buddha".

Gassho, J

** I often say that one can Practice Zen Buddhism while also a Republican, Democrat or apolitical, Catholic, Jewish or Muslim, Atheist or Agnostic. I would say that, so long as it is a belief system that avoids hate, violence, excess greed and such (e.g., a "Zen Buddhist Nazi" will go a dark way ), all can mix. I sometimes write ...

If there is a "God" ... whether in the Judeo-Christian way or some other, whether named "Allah" "Jehovah" "Thor" "Brahma" or "Stanley" ... I will fetch water and chop wood, seeking to live in a gentle way, avoiding harm to self and others (not two, by the way).

If there is no "God" "Allah" or "Stanley", or any source or creator or point to the universe at all, I will fetch water and chop wood, seeking to live in a gentle way, avoiding harm to self and others (not two, by the way).

Whatever the case ... today, now ... live in a gentle way, avoiding harm to self and others (not two, by the way) ...

[Tiwala]

Indeed. What are names after all?



Gassho, Ben