Is it Zazen?

[michaeljc]

My current view on the OP is yes, every-day activities can be 'zazen', but usually only when we/I have been routinely practicing Zazen on a cushion. Even then, they are temporary. I don't know of any historical record reporting on a Master who stopped practicing Zazen on the cushion at any stage in her/his life.

m

Sat 2-day

[Jinyo]

Interesting discussion for sure I do enjoy reading dharma books, and have ever since I started practicing Buddhism 3 years ago. But I also enjoy other books as well, and it's amazing to me how Zen is really in everything....novels, non-fiction etc. etc. And don't forget poetry, lots of beautiful poetry to read and discover the dharma in.

I had a discussion with a great master in Japan... and we were talking about the various people who are working to translate the Zen books into English, and he said, "That's a waste of time. If you really understand Zen... you can use any book. You could use the Bible. You could use Alice in Wonderland. You could use the dictionary, because... the sound of the rain needs no translation."


Alan Watts


Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

Thanks Joyo,

my feeling too

I think books specifically on the dharma are just one form of expression - many people living in the midst of/expressing Zen in their daily lives who haven't read books on it at all.

Love the Alan Watts' quote,

Gassho

Willow

sat today

[Jundo]

Hi Guys,

I came across a lovely short talk by Zen Teacher Steve Hagen that I would like to drop in here and another thread. It is right to the point, bare bones, and the title says it all ... well worth a listen on what the "non-purpose" and "nothing to get" of Zazen is all about ...

Useless Zazen and Other Imponderables

http://dharmafield.org/talks/1706-useless-zazen-and-other-imponderables/

Gassho, Jundo

[Jundo]

I think books specifically on the dharma are just one form of expression - many people living in the midst of/expressing Zen in their daily lives who haven't read books on it at all.

Yes, I know many people (my father was one) whom I would call "naturally Zen", although folks like dad would not know Buddha from Schmuda.

Generally, though, in our "way beyond words and letters", a little reading and study gives direction and flavor to our Zazen and Practice. Otherwise, we can go in circles. It is a little like baseball:

Reading about baseball is not playing baseball. In fact, it is not strictly necessary to read anything about baseball to play. However, reading some explanation of the rules, about players of the past and tips on good fielding is probably helpful at some point.

Most of the monks of old who "burned all their books" had done so only after having read most of them.

So, we are not "armchair Buddhists" and do not get tangled in the books ... but usually a little reading helps. All in moderation, the middle way, and we read without getting tangled up in the ideas and philosophy. The books on our recommended list are, well, recommended ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?5711-SUGGESTED-BOOK-LIST-for-TREELEAF-SANGHA

And once one knows how to play this game, then you can find Buddha shining through " the Bible ... Alice in Wonderland ... the dictionary," or the side of toothpaste tubes and billboards. However, until one's "useless" practice reaches a certain point (which some reading of Buddhist books will probably help you reach), they will probably remain just toothpaste and billboards.

Gassho, Jundo

[Mp]

Hi Guys,

I came across a lovely short talk by Zen Teacher Steve Hagen that I would like to drop in here and another thread. It is right to the point, bare bones, and the title says it all ... well worth a listen on what the "non-purpose" and "nothing to get" of Zazen is all about ...

Useless Zazen and Other Imponderables

http://dharmafield.org/talks/1706-useless-zazen-and-other-imponderables/

Gassho, Jundo

Thank you for this talk Jundo, I will have a listen this morning. =)

Gassho
Shingen

SatToday

[Rich]

Enjoyed the talk. Thanks.

Sat today

[Troy]

If you really understand Zen... you can use any book. You could use the Bible. You could use Alice in Wonderland. You could use the dictionary, because... the sound of the rain needs no translation."[/B]
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Love that quote thank you. I go through phases of intense reading and studying. Eventually, it wears me out and I just sit.



..sat2day•

[Jundo]

I would like to recommend yet ANOTHER recent Steve Hagen talk on Just Sitting and Just This ... unadorned, unpretentious, straight and clear as it gets in explaining the crazy-sane whys of Shikantaza.

(If you haven't guessed, I am catching up on some Steve Hagen talks recently. Although he is semi-retired, I am going to approach him as a possible Guest Teacher for a Zazenkai her).

Recommended talk for all, I am going to post it a couple of places around the forum today ...

Practice-Enlightenment

http://dharmafield.org/talks/1724-practice-enlightenment/

He even talks about the Zazen of driving in this one!

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[Mp]

Thank you Jundo,

I really enjoyed his talk about his experience with cancer and his approach to acceptance of it all. I look forward to hearing this new talk you have shared. =)

"To learn to live out of the experience in this moment"

Gassho
Shingen

SatToday