With palms together,
Lately I have been considering Zen in America. I have concluded it should have little to nothing to do with Zen in Japan. It will be its own creation driven from, and derived from, practice. True Buddhism, as Master Dogen pointed out, is practice. And I see by the time, that my morning bell will ring in a few minutes. More later.
Be well.
4 comments:
Hi Roshi!!! Have you seen the book One Bird, One Stone? It provides an account of the -diverse- introduction of zen to America...
In Gasho...
With bow, Roshi...
My question would be, is it necessary to distinguish Zen in America with Zen in Japan? Do we really need to create more and more division, more and more differentiation, more complexity? Can it not be as simply as Zen only? In fact can it not be as simple as it is?
Can Zen simply returns to its root; simply as it is without any further labelling?
Thank you for addressing this subject Roshi. I brought up this very same topic as our predominantly Asian Sangha was trying to figure out ways of reaching out to a wider community.
I mentioned to a very wise Vietnamese gentleman that I noticed Buddhism in China look different from that in Japan, or in Thailand, etc. Not so much in the basic teachings, but more specifically in rituals, dress, and practice. He replied that it was his opinion that each culture makes Buddhist teaching in the image of itself. This is true in every religion/spiritual practice.
A Southern Baptist would find Eastern Orthodox extremely exotic, although the corner stones of belief remain the same.
So what would "American Buddhism" look like? I think eliminating helpful but strange practices like bowing and chanting would be a mistake. The American new comer to Buddhism may be put off by the "religious" suggestion at first. Instead, wouldn't it be more helpful to spend time explaining the reason for bowing, the intention of the robe, the nice vibe chanting produces? I also notice that many sanghas chant only in the language of that sect's origin. All chanting should be in English. Or perhaps even translated into song like a hymn.
There is so much to work with here and I have already been too verbose. I am anxious to see what everyone thinks about this.
With Metta
Scott
Dear Koan, I have and it is.
Dear Rizal, Of course. Still, Seals from accrediting bodies seem important to students. My belief is that zen is itself, not American Japanese, or European. We must manifest our own buddha-nature.
Dear Scott, Nicely stated. Thank you. I confess, I am pretty much a stickler for the gassho and bowing practices. I have reduced the ammount of Japanese in our liturgy, but we must still respect our roots. I think if we want to know what american zen looks like we Americans should simply sit in front of a mirror and see.
Be well.
Post a Comment