October 19th-20th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai

[Beakon]

Shingen, people who are in my life like to ask "what are you doing later?", which prompts the reply "I will be doing zazenkai". Since that's happened, I have had difficulty explaining zazenkai to people, whom are not familiar with aspects of Japanese culture, or Zen Buddhism. A typical problem I have is explaining detailed subjects in a comprehensible way. For Manitobans it would be easier to tell them I'm going to church for Zen Buddhists. It's a weekly occurence where I have to explain what it is.

Jundo, in Winnipeg there are advertisements for classes and 4-month mindfulness courses for prices that range from $40 - $1200. They are depressing to look at. Calling it 'mindfulness' is like a safe word, like how yoga is a fad. People in a Judeo-Christian society, feel comfortable with out the words Buddhism, Zen, or Taoism. There are no Soto Zen schools in Manitoba, just a lot of commercial classes for mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. Do the folks in the Rinzai or Tendai schools have a Zazenkai?

[Mp]

Shingen, people who are in my life like to ask "what are you doing later?", which prompts the reply "I will be doing zazenkai". Since that's happened, I have had difficulty explaining zazenkai to people, whom are not familiar with aspects of Japanese culture, or Zen Buddhism. A typical problem I have is explaining detailed subjects in a comprehensible way. For Manitobans it would be easier to tell them I'm going to church for Zen Buddhists. It's a weekly occurence where I have to explain what it is.

That sounds like a great idea ... I usually tell my brother that I am off to contemplate my naval. =)

Sometimes the easiest approach is the best approach in helping folks understand.

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Shokai]

Why not say, I'm going to hang out with my Buddha buds.

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jundo]

Hi Beakon,

Yes, the Rinzai folks have "Zazenkai," and while the Tendai folks have some Zen meditation in their buffet of many practices, I am not sure what they would call it. Two English Tendai groups I find online call it "Buddhist Meditation Service" or "Meditation Practice." Their meditation techniques are a little different from Zazen in either the Rinzai or Soto ways.

Yes, even in Japan, Buddhism has too much connection in people's minds with temple funerals, and "Zazen" with physical pain and "boot camp" atmosphere. If I called our weekly Zazenkai as "mindfulness," and got rid of all the Buddhist stuff, I would have many many more people coming to our sitting even here in Japan. No kidding.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Washin]

Thank you Sangha,
thank you Jundo for the encouraging talk

Gassho
Washin
just sat

[Seishin]

Thank you all for your practice.

[Meitou]

Thank you Jundo and everyone, not forgetting all the technology that brings us together. Lovely talk!

Hey Beakon, if I'm sitting and someone calls for me or we have visitors, my husband says I'm praying - that's the nearest he gets to understanding sitting and that's fine with me.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/lah

[Beakon]

I like your explanations! This conversation has helped, we have laughed and enjoyed these answers at home. Meitou, what is Sardinia known for?

[ushi]

Jundo et al, thank you. This was my very first home zazenkai with you all, and its ability to be asynchronous was extremely helpful. Much metta and appreciation!

sat-today,

-ushi

[Kotei]

Thank you everyone!
Gassho,
Kotei just sat.

[Eishuu]

Thank you everyone.

Gassho
Eishuu
ST/LAH

[Kokuu]

Thank you all.

Gassho
Kokuu

[Meitou]

I like your explanations! This conversation has helped, we have laughed and enjoyed these answers at home. Meitou, what is Sardinia known for?

I'm not sure that outside of Europe Sardinia is known at all! It's a very beautiful island with a rich cultural history - wiki tells it better than me https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardinia

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltodaylah