Curious Children.

[Kairu]

So just today my oldest daughter (12) stumbled across me preparing to do zazen. She sat next to me and asked, "Why are you putting the folded blankets on the floor?" to which I replied, "Because I am too poor to afford a Zabuton and Zafu."

She then asked, "What is that?"
"They are cushions for sitting on while 'meditating.'"

I proceeded to open the Heart Sutra on my phone (not yet memorized) and produced a glass cup and a spoon. I began by doing my prostrations when she asked, "what are you doing?" She sighed a small laugh.
"I am taking refuge and paying respect to all beings"

I began to tap the spoon to the glass and started reciting the sutra. I was cut short again, "what are you saying and why are you saying it that way?"
"I am chanting, and it's to set my mind on the right path", I replied.
"The path for what?" she inquired.
"The path that will lead me to the most dangerous alleys in the city of my mind."

I recited the sutra, and as I prepared myself for zazen I also gave her step by step instructions on how to sit zazen.
Her and I sat zazen for a good time before she said, "this definitely teaches you patience!"

"No, it does nothing for you."
"That makes no sense, Kyle."
"What makes sense then?"
"I don't know."
"Perhaps you're making too much sense of things when you should just see everything for the way it is."
"That's stupid, Kyle."

Then she left the room.
Anyone else have similar stories?

[Kokuu]

Hi Kyle

I might agree with your daughter here. Zazen is indeed good for nothing. It also teaches you patience.


Gassho
Kokuu
#sattoday

[Kyonin]

Hi Kyle,

I have been teaching kids how to sit lately and they are amazing in how easy they can follow their breath. They find it fascinating. But I think they like it more when they can relate easier to things.

Some parents who sit say to me that when they started sitting, their kids were very curious about it all. They asked about everything, they laughed... but after a couple of weeks they understood that zazen had came to stay and then they began sitting for short periods.

So if your practice is new for your daughter, the jokes, the questions and laughs will continue for a few days more. Then it will all be part of a regular day and she will adapt... and it could be that she starts sitting too.

It could happen

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Jundo]

Kairu,

First, you are a wonderful writer! Lovely!

If I may, I am just going to put my usual advice on kids and Zazen, although every family is different

=====================

I too believe that I am introducing my children to Buddhist values, perspectives and practices in our household, but they are free to walk their own path when older. They are "Buddhist" in the way that their upbringing has been imbued with such teachings, such as the general peace and goodness of the Precepts.

Every home is different, but in our house Leon (when smaller) or Sada sits with me for about 10 minutes now and then ... before either dashing off or falling asleep. Leon used to sit with me more when smaller, not so interested now at 11. My daughter joins me from time to time, the cat much more.

I do not think that we need to insist that our young children sit Zazen. Perfectly fine though if they ask to do so, or come over on their own. Otherwise, it is best just to create a loving home in which lessons of Wisdom and Compassion, the Precepts and other teachings of the Buddha are naturally passed down to our children. Let them learn about Zazen from seeing the place and effect that Zazen has in our lives Then, years from now, when they are grown ... maybe they will turn to it too (your child saying years from now, "That Practice had a positive effect on mom and dad, and they were good parents ... maybe I should try that too").

Now, when my daughter plops down in my lap, she is always welcome. If my son is making noise, I ask him kindly to stop while I am sitting. However, ultimately, the noise is "just what is" and we sit with it, all the Buddha's chanting.

In the meantime, one issue for me is those times I have to give a "time out" to Leon or Sada, and have them sit in the corner. It looks too much like Zazen. In fact, when Leon was younger, he asked my wife if papa was "bad all the time, because he is always sitting in the corner"! I think he now understands the difference!

Our house naturally blends a variety of religions and customs. Most Japanese practice both Shinto and Buddhist Traditions, a time for each. My wife's family are Nichiren Buddhists, and I am the "Zenny" of course, and we respect both ... a time and place for each. I also throw in some Jewish Traditions to respect my background and family, and "Santa Claus" and "Christmas" is all around the stores and kids' TV even here in Japan ... no problem.

One thing I would like to do is find some new ways to introduce our children to Buddhist and Zen Traditions. I came up with this a couple of years ago, "Buddhist Family Holidays", to recognize our own holiday traditions in the Spring and at the end of the year (there are other holidays which might be added too for other times of the year, like Bodhidharma's Birthday. Right now the two holidays we have begun with our Buddha's Birthday in the Spring and Buddha's Enlightenment Day, Rohatsu, in December). I thought it a great way to get the kids involved. However, nothing ever came of the program and it is rather neglected, just sitting there. The next holiday, Vesak, is in May in Japanese Tradition.

https://www.BuddhistFamilyHolidays.Com

I am looking for someone who can volunteer to really take the lead on it and make it take wing. Write me privately if you think you can.

Gassho, Jundo Dad

SatToday

[Joyo]

My kids show no interest in any kind of spiritual practice. In fact, my oldest has told me he is an atheist for several years now. I've always stressed to both of them the most important thing is showing kindness and respect to themselves and others. My husband and I have never pushed religious/spiritual beliefs on them. Our families have both been torn apart due to religion, I won't let that happen with my own.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Jishin]

Curious Children.

Hi,

While driving the other day my 5 year old goes "daddy, did God make the mountains?"

"It depends who you ask" I reply.

My nine-year-old then joins the conversation and says "the Christians would say yes. The Buddhists would say I don't know."

Both of then go to church twice per week and my family is Christian.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Juki]

Gassho!

Juki
sat today

[Juki]

My kids show no interest in any kind of spiritual practice. In fact, my oldest has told me he is an atheist for several years now. I've always stressed to both of them the most important thing is showing kindness and respect to themselves and others. My husband and I have never pushed religious/spiritual beliefs on them. Our families have both been torn apart due to religion, I won't let that happen with my own.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Rick]

I have 11-year-old twins. Neither one has sat before, but my son is interested. He has been asking more about it recently and says he wants to try sitting. Maybe it's time.

Gassho,
Rick
sat today

[Kairu]

Thank you all for your kind comments!

I usually sit when no one is around because my day is nonstop otherwise. Between sewing, working a third shift, and taking care of the kids alone after they come home from school most of the time, I'm not left with even 5 seconds to sit. I usually make sure I take care of myself in the morning after work, go to bed, and then wake up when the kids get home.

I have not pressured any of my kids into any Zen practice, but they do ask basic questions about it and at rare times try and emulate what I'm doing or saying. My favorite thing to do is tell them parables but make them sound silly. This helps them understand Buddhism more, but also entertains them. I even make up my own.

"A wise Buddhist was sitting in the forest. A tiger came into the forest and asked 'who can know the feeling of satisfaction?' to which the wise Buddhist replied, 'only the fox knows.'"

Then I'll ask my kid, "so what is the moral of the story?" she'll shrug and ask what the moral is and I'll say something silly like, "the moral is that the fox is an American!" (I'm a yank BTW). It's just a little something to familiarize them with even something as small as the word "buddhist".

I would be interested in celebrating Buddhist holidays with the kids! I can't believe that idea fell apart here. It's something I might consider when I'm more "seated" in my practice (pun intended). My foundation is a bit rocky at the moment and am still trying to organize my life all over again. Ill definitely PM you (Jundo) when I finally get my family in order. Oh and what a glorious day that will be (the wife and munchkins are in disarray! Release the kraken! Grab the laso!).

Otherwise, even after cracking jokes with the kiddos and having light talk with them I try and let them know I take my Zen seriously, but not rigidly. That way they know to be quiet and respectful while "daddy is staring at a wall again!". I'm also trying to teach my Christian wife what it means to be a Buddhist. She is very open minded, which I can always be thankful for.

Also thank you for the link and all of you for sharing your experiences and suggestions thus far.

Kyle,
Sat Today.


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[CK732]

Children are amazing aren't they? I had so much fun raising my two and now my fave 10yo keeps me laughing and on my toes.

She started sitting with me in the beginning and also asked many questions. One day she did say that I was sitting wrong and that I should be sitting like Raven - a cartoon character from Teen Titians. So, just so we all know... we're sitting with our hands in the wrong position [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

One afternoon while she was visiting relatives she decided to meditate and proceeded to sit like the cartoon character for ten minutes and was asleep in five. Priceless!

Kids are so inquisitive and always watching us even when we don't think they are. Now sometimes she sits with me but only for two minutes at a time then she's off on to her next adventure.

Gassho

Clarisse Sat2Day



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[SoR]

I've tried to incorporate Buddhist elements into life's routine so my son is exposed to it. We celebrate Buddha's enlightenment day and his birthday.

At mealtime, we try and always say a Buddhist "mealtime prayer" based on the prayer we say at the temple I've always practiced at. I think it's a good practice. We only say the English parts: https://youtu.be/SuxjGaiKwz4

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[CK732]

Look at what I walked in on this morning...



I wasn't sure what I was looking at until I saw this...



She's my fave 10yo and she sat for three minutes after I saw her but she wasn't sure how long she was sitting before I walked in.

I think I need to buy another Zafu and Zabuton [emoji6]

Metta

Gassho

Clarisse Sat2Day




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[Jishin]

That's awesome!

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Jishin]

I live with some serious Zen masters. I asked my 9 year old the other day if he could talk without his foot. We laughed very hard over this made up Koan as we investigated the Koan together. My 5 year old just wrote it off as "that's Buddha talk." I presented the "can you talk without your foot?" Koan to my wife and she did not answer me. I asked "well, what's your answer?" She said she had not been listening and just kept going about her business.



Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_