Hard and Soft traditions

[dharmasponge]

I was thinking last night (sorry can’t help it J ) one of the things that draws me to Zen is that it seems more maverick than other traditions, masculine almost (no offence meant of course) – does that make sense, is it a fair point?I was thinking last night (sorry can’t help it J ) one of the things that draws me to Zen is that it seems more maverick than other traditions, masculine almost (no offence meant of course)!!

The Theravadin tradition on the other hand seems rounder and softer (Though I know some of Ajahn Chah’s students might disagree!)

What do you think?

Tony...

Sat Today

[Jishin]

What do you think?

It's hard to say.

Gassho, Jishin, #SatToday

[Kokuu]

I think that the variation within traditions is probably greater than the variation between them. Even teachers in the same traditions, and even same lineage, differ massively (Jundo and Taigu, for instance).

Regardless of the tradition (and I have been in a few!), in the end it pretty much all comes down to sitting on a cushion and being kind.

There should probably also be tea involved.

And fancy hats.

Gassho
Kokuu
#sattoday

[Myosha]

Hello,

Distinction is good fun. Enjoy.

THEN sit.


Gassho,
Myosha sat today

[Byokan]

Regardless of the tradition (and I have been in a few!), in the end it pretty much all comes down to sitting on a cushion and being kind.

There should probably also be tea involved.

And fancy hats.

Gassho
Kokuu
#sattoday

Gassho
Lisa
sat today

[Mp]

Regardless of the tradition in the end it pretty much all comes down to sitting on a cushion and being kind.

Yes! =)

Gassho
Shingen

SatToday

[dharmasponge]

...and cake?

[Nindo]

I've seen some pretty macho Theravadins. And some very gentle feminine Zen priests.
Drop all distinctions and comparisons. What is THIS right in front of you?

Gassho
Nindo
sattoday

[Stacy]

What do you think?

Hey Tony,

I don't know.

But that's OK, I don't really care. It is what it is. What people perceive may vary, and people involved vary just as much, but it is what it is.

Tea and cake sounds pretty good though.


Gassho,
Stacy

#SatToday

[Rich]

In general traditions have been male dominated. Nice to see women taking leadership roles and bringing more balance to traditions. Western Zen is trending this IMHO.

Sat today

[dharmasponge]

OBC is a good example

[Kyonin]

Hi.

Nice questions. Now go sit.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[dharmasponge]

Nice reply....and you?

[Nameless]

Sometimes it seems that there are as many different "schools" of Zen as there are Zen practitioners. In my case, practice has helped me grow softer. Smooths out my sharp edges. Still a trouble maker and can be quite passionate, but there's room in Zen for that too. Oh, and to touch on a bit of psychology, gender is a cultural construction. Sex refers to ones anatomy. Gender is usually defined by characteristics like hard/soft, analytic/emotional etc. For me Zen, it being the Middle Way, shoots an arrow right down the middle of those pairs.

Gassho, John
Sat & Shoveled Today

Gassho, John
Sat Today

[Stacy]

Hi.

Nice questions. Now go sit.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

Gassho,
Stacy

#SatToday