Re: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Knocking Down Monastery Walls
Hi Jundo,
Thanks for setting things straight on Keizan.
Lack of the need to regularly perform or rely upon these practices in the west is no doubt attributed to the fact that Zen is not as much of a part of the culture yet. In the future, should Zen be as widely practiced here as in Japan, I'm sure there will be more need/demand for such services. Making it an unavoidable change for our Zen groups as well.
Quote:
Jundo wrote:
When I was back in the city (Ishinomaki) yesterday that suffered 10,000 dead (!!) in the recent Tsunami, I visited a Soto Zen temple there and met briefly the head priest. He had performed so many funeral for his parishioners who had died in the flooding.
I can't even begin to imagine how mentally and physically exhausting this must be! :(
Gassho,
John
Re: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Knocking Down Monastery Walls
Jundo wrote;
Quote:
Funerals are for the living perhaps more than for the departed
This is exactly true. Ask yourself, 'What does a funeral do for the departed?' The reason we have myths about afterlife is to comfort the living. To think that after we spend all this time worrying, figuring the problems of life, overcoming the agony of defeat, etc, etc, just to end in nothingness is too hard to imagine. Better to hold a ceremony, say good bye and achieve some "closure" than not. And, if pomp and color are what turns your crank, go for it. Call it delusion but it sure soothes the ego and helps us to get on with our lives.
( the foregoing is just the view of someone who has attended a significant number of funerals; professionally and otherwise :) )
Actually, my favourite was when the grieving family staged an impromtu playing of "Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz"; :shock: the look on the pastor's face was priceless !
Re: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Knocking Down Monastery Walls
The SF Zen Center has a recent podcast that I think ties in nicely with Jundo's talk:
http://www.sfzc.org/zc/display.asp?cati ... ageid=3123
In it, the teacher forwards the "controversial" view that although the monastery/zendo is a "really good" environment for strong practice, it is *not* the only one, and perhaps lacking in many ways. Other topics touched on include the use of technology to further home practice, such as an iPod app that lets you know how many people all over the world are currently sitting with you at that very moment, SFZC's own ango blog that people at home can use to follow along with dharma talks/schedules, among others.
A very interesting listen, and one that highlights just how much Treeleaf is on the bleeding edge of such space-time-less practice. It's clear that traditional brick-and-mortar practice centers are more and more incorporating "outreach" technology, as it's clear that especially in the West, integrated practice with a lay life is highly sought after.
Thanks again to Jundo, Taigu, and the rest of the sangha here for being a model for this still nascent "ground of practice."
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Re: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Knocking Down Monastery Walls
Thanks for that Kaishin - half-way through listening. There are some really good downloads on the net.
Jundo and Taigu, I am amazed at how much information there is on Treeleaf - so much work has gone into this site
and the effort is much appreciated.
Gassho
Willow
Re: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Knocking Down Monastery Walls
Treeleaf is an expanding evolving example of breaking down monastery walls in a traditional sense but I heard about this approach on the radio which integrates a sense of practice among members not unlike Treeleaf ( a commitment to daily practice ) but through Christian monastic tradition and a desire to incorporate lay membership.
http://www.moot.uk.net/