Heigan's Questions: What is Zen?

[Heigan]

Hello Treeleaf Sangha,

Recently, I've been pondering some of the "BIG" questions. It occurred to me the other day that rather than just keeping things inside my own head that it might be good to include the rest of the sangha in my musings. To that end, I plan on posting questions from time to time and I would be very grateful if any of you who feel move to would reply with your answer. Of course, there are no "right" answers or "wrong" answers and I'm sure that most of these have been asked over and over again on this forum and through out the Zen-webs. That said, every time a quest is answered, it is a different answer. Anyway, here we go:

Question:


What is Zen?



Feel free to answer this in whatever way you like.

Also, if you don't feel comfortable posting in the forum, but would still like to answer the question, please feel free to message me.

Gassho,

Heigan

[Jishin]

Hi,

Chop wood to stay warm. Fetch water to quench thirst. For the benefit of others.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Rich]

The practice of just sitting.

Sat today

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Jakuden]

Depends on who is asking... Even the Buddha tailored his teachings to his audience.
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jishin]

The practice of just sitting.

Sat today

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Not true.

It is the practice of just sitting. [emoji1]

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Mp]

Hello Heigan,

Zen nothing and yet Zen is everything. Zen is life, Zen is death, Zen is this moment just as it is. =)

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[Jundo]

All lovely and Wise answers from the folks.

Often one hears that "Zen is beyond words", and this is true ... for there is an aspect to reality whereby, the minute one tries to name, define or put one's finger on "it", one creates limitation and separation between.

Zen is also a tradition of Teachings and Practices to help oneself realize (in the bones) and realize (make real in one's living this life) this 'whatever beyond limitation and separation' beyond me and you and the other guy, this and that, war and peace, beauty and ugliness and in betweens, up and down, joy and sadness, work and babies, win and lose, love and loss, head colds and cancer, birth and death etc etc ... and also to realize that this very 'beyond limitation and separation' and this daily grimy world we live in of me and you and the other guy, this and that, war and peace, beauty and ugliness and in betweens, up and down, joy and sadness, work and babies, win and lose, love and loss, head colds and cancer, birth and death etc etc are "not two" and never have been, always one beyond one in a dance of Grace, Wonder and Wholeness ... a Peace so Peaceful embodying all the round and sharp broken pieces of the world, beyond and right through even our ordinary view of life and death and me and you etc etc. This fact is often hidden from our eyes by clouds of separating thoughts and emotions.

Not rocket science really.

Our core Practice is, in Soto Zen, 'Just Sitting' Shikantaza Zazen. (The Rinzai Zen folks tend to sit 'Koan Centered Zazen' in which they sit absorbing their self in a Koan to realize this 'beyond limitation and separation' that is simultaneously all things).

Gassho, J

SatToday

[lorax]

Can't shoot from the hip on this question...Think it would be good to face this question and try and give you an answer from my perspective. Jundo recently left me with a question that I am still chewing on, perhaps answering your question will help me move ahead in responding to Jundo.... Will be back with you on this..

SAT TODAY

[Kotei]

What is Zen?
Accepting a question as an answer.

Gassho,
Kotei sattoday.

[Ongen]

Hi Heigan,

You're hitting the nail on the head.

What is zen!

Gassho
Ongen

Sat today

[Kokuu]

My two penny's worth:

Zen is engaging with life, just as it is, seeing that things are all part of one interconnected whole as well as its constituent parts. Within that context, we chop wood, carry water, walk the dog and write forum comments.

More theoretically, Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism which sees the Buddha way of becoming freed from suffering as being achieved through realisation of our already enlightened state through just sitting and totally engaged activity.

Gassho
Kokuu
#sittedtoday

[Myosha]

Hello,

Zen is all.

'Nuff said. (Thank you Stan Lee.)


Gassho
Myosha
sat today

[Kyonin]

Hi Heigan,

Zen is life around you being life. This can be understood if you just sit still for a moment.

It's also Japanese Cocktail Bliss



Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Mp]

It's also Japanese Cocktail Bliss

And I thought it was popcorn! =)

buddha-chips.jpg

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[Kyonin]

HAHAHAHAH!

Yes, because the Buddha loves his avocado oil popcorn

Gassho,

Kyonin
#NowIWantSome