Search found 532 matches

by KeithA
Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:22 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Are forums still a thing?
Replies: 19
Views: 1237

Re: Are forums still a thing?

I suspect there will always be people who communicate better in writing, than in a room with a bunch of people yakking away. I love learning about other traditions here, and as someone mentioned, there is a semi-permanent record of the conversations, so it’s easy to go back to the beginning.

🙏
Keith
by KeithA
Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:19 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Searching for a Tradition
Replies: 29
Views: 3013

Re: Searching for a Tradition

Because of this I would like to hear how was for you guys to find your way on Dharma, if u can say a word or two about it. And, when you found your tradition, how can you be sure the teacher has reached a level of achievement? This is important, right? I hope that you are totally freed from sufferi...
by KeithA
Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:01 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Searching for a Tradition
Replies: 29
Views: 3013

Re: Searching for a Tradition

Genjo Conan wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:49 pm I feel pretty strongly that, when we're starting down the path, we shouldn't choose a sect, we should choose a teacher.
I would extend this to choosing a Sangha. Hang around a community long enough, and it will become apparent very quickly whether teacher is worth working with. 🙏
by KeithA
Fri May 28, 2021 3:01 am
Forum: Zen
Topic: NYC Temple Relationships
Replies: 3
Views: 1246

Re: NYC Temple Relationships

Hi all, I was thinking of checking out some Zen centers in NYC (eventually, when open again), and came across the First Zen Institute of America and the Zen Studies Society, both old (in the context of Zen in the US) Rinzai centers. FZI is lay led, but other than that, can someone shed some light o...
by KeithA
Sun May 23, 2021 9:36 pm
Forum: Nichiren
Topic: The Eternal Buddha exists in the here and now.
Replies: 27
Views: 1490

Re: The Eternal Buddha exists in the here and now.

Most critical point of the Lotus Sutra as it is the ultimate basis of equanimity. The lotus is the buddhism of life. The Lotus Sutra is the king of sutras, true and correct in both word and principle. Its words are the ultimate reality, and this reality is the Mystic Law (myōhō). It is called the M...
by KeithA
Wed May 19, 2021 1:58 am
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: IS enlightenment SUDDEN OR GRADUAL ?
Replies: 54
Views: 3426

Re: IS enlightenment SUDDEN OR GRADUAL ?

This would be a good justification for this topic being in Tibetan Buddhism. It is completely different from the later development of Zen practice leading to insight/kensho, which is an intense occurrence, and informs subsequent practice. This may not be the equivalent of "final knowledge"...
by KeithA
Sat May 15, 2021 3:39 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: So are Sutras really from the Buddha, or just fiction
Replies: 203
Views: 11489

Re: So are Sutras really from the Buddha, or just fiction

So your suggesting that the vedas didn't exist as books before Siddartha? Bottom line, did Siddartha know what writing or books were? And if he did,why no books from him,or suggestions for a written record from his fellows? This is giving Zen folks a bad look! :tongue: It’s pretty common knowledge ...
by KeithA
Sat May 15, 2021 12:22 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: So are Sutras really from the Buddha, or just fiction
Replies: 203
Views: 11489

Re: So are Sutras really from the Buddha, or just fiction

So no books in India before Siddartha? No Vedas? The Vedas are oral texts. So your suggesting that the vedas didn't exist as books before Siddartha? Bottom line, did Siddartha know what writing or books were? And if he did,why no books from him,or suggestions for a written record from his fellows? ...
by KeithA
Tue May 11, 2021 6:36 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Zen beliefs.
Replies: 63
Views: 7544

Re: Zen beliefs.

Hello. I love Zen practice. The clear and simple focus on meditation/focus as the essential practice of any spiritual path. And the fact that meditation is the natural essence of a person. Everyday Zen! All life experience is an opportunity to zen. My gripe is this. All the "beliefs" that...
by KeithA
Tue May 11, 2021 6:01 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Zen beliefs.
Replies: 63
Views: 7544

Re: Zen beliefs.

Hello. I love Zen practice. The clear and simple focus on meditation/focus as the essential practice of any spiritual path. And the fact that meditation is the natural essence of a person. Everyday Zen! All life experience is an opportunity to zen. My gripe is this. All the "beliefs" that...
by KeithA
Thu May 06, 2021 2:17 am
Forum: Chan
Topic: How difference between Chan and Zen.
Replies: 71
Views: 32778

Re: How difference between Chan and Zen.

One point that I might add is that Zen in the West is different to Zen in East Asia. At a typical Western Zen centre, the main practice is meditation, with maybe a bit of chanting thrown in. In East Asia (my experience is from Korea mostly), meditation is only part of Zen. At a typical Korean Seon ...
by KeithA
Wed May 05, 2021 2:51 pm
Forum: Chan
Topic: How difference between Chan and Zen.
Replies: 71
Views: 32778

Re: How difference between Chan and Zen.

One point that I might add is that Zen in the West is different to Zen in East Asia. At a typical Western Zen centre, the main practice is meditation, with maybe a bit of chanting thrown in. In East Asia (my experience is from Korea mostly), meditation is only part of Zen. At a typical Korean Seon ...
by KeithA
Tue Apr 27, 2021 6:09 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Follow a school over a teacher?
Replies: 29
Views: 2326

Re: Follow a school over a teacher?

Thank you all for the replies, I am seeing that the most important thing is to follow a teacher we have a connection with. While I understand this, I honestly still have some doubts when exploring on the website. I have seen many texts and experts on here who can debate how some schools view is not...
by KeithA
Tue Apr 27, 2021 6:04 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: One Path Or Two?
Replies: 43
Views: 2773

Re: One Path Or Two?

I would imagine a lot of it has to do with upbringing. If one is born into a Buddhist household, I imagine the path is pretty much laid out for them. My son only knows my path. It will be interesting to see how it develops as he gets older. I would guess there is also karma. For whatever reason, my ...
by KeithA
Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:32 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Can all people in our world come to enlightenment?
Replies: 107
Views: 7336

Re: Can all people in our world come to enlightenment?

I think you're right about the Theravadins. When I was involved with martial arts, there was a saying that practicing for 1 or 2 hours a day made you a hobbyist. Whereas when you practice for 6-8 hours a day, this is what's involved for professional martial artists. (The martial artists in the room...
by KeithA
Thu Apr 15, 2021 12:34 pm
Forum: Chan
Topic: How difference between Chan and Zen.
Replies: 71
Views: 32778

Re: How difference between Chan and Zen.

What if one doesn’t have doubt? It has to be generated. Great Doubt: Practicing Zen in the World by Boshan Yuanlai Talks by Jeff Shore on Boshan's text: Part 1 (PDF) , Part 2-3 (PDF) The Chan Whip Anthology by Yunqi Zhuhong I want to push it a little bit. Why don’t you have doubt?😉 Doubt is the amp...
by KeithA
Sun Apr 11, 2021 1:05 am
Forum: Zen
Topic: I'm looking for documentaries about hermits
Replies: 37
Views: 3692

Re: I'm looking for documentaries about hermits

These folks just hide they know no difficulty of life a common folk like us have to deal with. :lol: Just kidding... While I loved “Amongst White Clouds”, I got exactly this feeling. Not kidding at all. _/|\_ Keith I love how people tend to think that somehow first world problemas are harder than n...
by KeithA
Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:05 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Announcement: genkaku Adam Fisher
Replies: 3
Views: 1097

Re: Announcement: genkaku Adam Fisher

Hi, Those of us who were on E-sangha might remember genkaku, a Zen practitioner and writer. genkaku recently passed away. You can find more details here: https://genkaku-again.blogspot.com/2021/02/remembering-my-father.html His family also created a GoFundMe to support funeral costs. This notice ha...
by KeithA
Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:46 am
Forum: Zen
Topic: I'm looking for documentaries about hermits
Replies: 37
Views: 3692

Re: I'm looking for documentaries about hermits

LastLegend wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 4:06 pm These folks just hide they know no difficulty of life a common folk like us have to deal with. :lol: Just kidding...

While I loved “Amongst White Clouds”, I got exactly this feeling. Not kidding at all.

_/|\_
Keith
by KeithA
Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:30 am
Forum: Nichiren
Topic: lockdowns on Nichiren site .
Replies: 26
Views: 2319

Re: lockdowns on Nichiren site .

It happens a lot in the Zen forum, as well. Moderation is hard, and very time consuming. Vajrayana is the default here. It is what it is. Thread locking is the easiest, so it's the most prevalent. I agree completely that is would be better to remove posts and/or ban specific individuals, but that t...

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