Buddhism in a Box
statement: I don't like organized spirituality.
descrimination: One who sees him/herself as a spiritual teacher will inevitably teach a truth less pure than the absolute.
intuition: Religion fosters clinging, even the ones that speak of detachment.
So I went to the atlanta soto zen center today- partly out of personal inquiry and enjoyment, and partly out of field research for an upcoming paper. I found it to be both well and ill recieving.
The traditionaries were lovely; I've always been a fan of ancient lineages. There's a certain earthen quality, a rooted structure that makes me smile in the thoughts of how an old forest smells. We bow before entering the meditation room, not out of worship but as a gift of love of and to ourselves, as well as an act of acceptance to our buddha-nature (the possibility for enlightenment). Tea is served and blessed by giver and recipient. The abbot comes into the room and places himself indian-style atop a three foot high table with cushion. He begins by encouraging introductions around the room: say your name, state why you're here, tell us about your experience in meditation. My heart pounds and my palms sweat- naturally, I am anxiety-ridden over speaking in front of a group larger than five.
It is my turn- "Hello all, my name is Jamie, and I'm a religious studies major at georgia state, doing a field research of sorts..."
-interruption- "Oh yes, you know... many comparitive religion students come here for the same thing Jamie. For some reason they all tend to come on the wrong day. Every second Tuesday of the month we have a meeting for introductory to zen, and you can discuss philosophical things there as well as ask your questions about what we do and why we do it. In fact, if you have any friends from your class who you'd like to bring with you, please invite them to join. Next person..."
hmm.
Now I'm always cautious about using the terms like and dislike, because such language tends to limit a person. However, I don't think I really liked that, at all.
Some interesting things to note= The abbot did not correctly explain the cosmology concept, nor the cycle of dependent origination. In fact, many of the things he said were not complete, rather they were one sided. I had to wonder about his level of mindfullness seriously. And the only reason I do so is because I think it to be highly irresponsible to take such a position as he has and to teach people incorrectly. Furthermore, he made judgmental statements about other forms of buddhism, namely the Theravada religion. He presented his opinion (as also being that of zen itself) that Zen is the right way because it focuses on the body and direct experience, whereas Theravada is much too scholarly and intellectualized. He says Theravada practicioners are missing the true meditation because they percieve things as subject to object relationship... rather than through the lense of absolute continuity and oneness. Something smells a lot like protestantism vs. catholicism, and it's smelling a little rancid.
Anyway, on the flip side of things it doesn't really matter to me. The truth comes from no teacher but from within. He knows that. We all know that. Some often forget it, or haven't realized it yet. But that, is something I can rely on. Not some buddhism in a box.
descrimination: One who sees him/herself as a spiritual teacher will inevitably teach a truth less pure than the absolute.
intuition: Religion fosters clinging, even the ones that speak of detachment.
So I went to the atlanta soto zen center today- partly out of personal inquiry and enjoyment, and partly out of field research for an upcoming paper. I found it to be both well and ill recieving.
The traditionaries were lovely; I've always been a fan of ancient lineages. There's a certain earthen quality, a rooted structure that makes me smile in the thoughts of how an old forest smells. We bow before entering the meditation room, not out of worship but as a gift of love of and to ourselves, as well as an act of acceptance to our buddha-nature (the possibility for enlightenment). Tea is served and blessed by giver and recipient. The abbot comes into the room and places himself indian-style atop a three foot high table with cushion. He begins by encouraging introductions around the room: say your name, state why you're here, tell us about your experience in meditation. My heart pounds and my palms sweat- naturally, I am anxiety-ridden over speaking in front of a group larger than five.
It is my turn- "Hello all, my name is Jamie, and I'm a religious studies major at georgia state, doing a field research of sorts..."
-interruption- "Oh yes, you know... many comparitive religion students come here for the same thing Jamie. For some reason they all tend to come on the wrong day. Every second Tuesday of the month we have a meeting for introductory to zen, and you can discuss philosophical things there as well as ask your questions about what we do and why we do it. In fact, if you have any friends from your class who you'd like to bring with you, please invite them to join. Next person..."
hmm.
Now I'm always cautious about using the terms like and dislike, because such language tends to limit a person. However, I don't think I really liked that, at all.
Some interesting things to note= The abbot did not correctly explain the cosmology concept, nor the cycle of dependent origination. In fact, many of the things he said were not complete, rather they were one sided. I had to wonder about his level of mindfullness seriously. And the only reason I do so is because I think it to be highly irresponsible to take such a position as he has and to teach people incorrectly. Furthermore, he made judgmental statements about other forms of buddhism, namely the Theravada religion. He presented his opinion (as also being that of zen itself) that Zen is the right way because it focuses on the body and direct experience, whereas Theravada is much too scholarly and intellectualized. He says Theravada practicioners are missing the true meditation because they percieve things as subject to object relationship... rather than through the lense of absolute continuity and oneness. Something smells a lot like protestantism vs. catholicism, and it's smelling a little rancid.
Anyway, on the flip side of things it doesn't really matter to me. The truth comes from no teacher but from within. He knows that. We all know that. Some often forget it, or haven't realized it yet. But that, is something I can rely on. Not some buddhism in a box.