Hi Keith,
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Originally Posted by Keith
Jundo, will there be a "standard" translation of these for Treeleaf Zendo?
Well, I suppose I will get around to collecting something in a binder sometime. Some chanting is good practice, and we will get around to it putting that in place.
But Keishin's advise is very sound and beautiful. In fact, that is what I will do too for Treeleaf: look around and see all that already exists out there, maybe adjust a few things, mix and match.
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I think (at least I hope) you know that I never have thought of you or your approach to Zen as elitist. I used that word to make a point. In retrospect, perhaps, it was too strong a word. I've always been a "book learning" kind of guy, and sometimes that has gotten in my way of both my Zen practice and my classroom teaching (being really inspired by something I've read, only to be disappointed by what I experience in my everyday life). However, as I find a nice balance between practice and study, I see that they are, in fact, the same. I think. :wink:
and Will wrote ...
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I think it's important to remember that we have probably all been off "the mental ball" occasionally. I don't think this necessarily makes a person less capable of practicing such a simple practice. What it really comes down to, I think, is the will and sincerity of the student and teacher. Of course a simpleton might be able to comprehend more about their practice than someone who has read a thousand books. Or, maybe i just don't understand your meaning of "mental ball".
I think zazen actually make a person more intelligent. Lack of intelligence is mostly made up of our misunderstandings and ways that we don't notice what's really going on.
I could have said what I said much better. Yes, what it really comes down to, is the will and sincerity of the student and teacher. A simple person will be able to comprehend more about many things than someone who has read a thousand books. Book learning can get in the way. All this is true.
I just meant that our Practice will never have mass appeal, I think, and will always be most attractive to folks of a certain philosophical and cerebral bent. Other forms of Buddhism, and Religion, have much more mass attraction to folks. It is just true.
I mean, in our practice, we are a bunch of overly thoughtful people trying to learn from various teachers on how to learn from the rocks, trees, kitty cats and birds. I just don't think that rocks, tree, kitty cats and birds would want, or need, to make the effort! :)
Gassho, Jundo
PS- Kenneth wrote
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Reading your descriptions of (1), (2) and (3) I couldn't help thinking of the first 3 of Nishijima Roshi's '4 philosophies'... Was that intentional / just a coincidence / or has my brain just short-circuited and I'm reading to much into it?
There's some overlap, but I did not intend a one to one match. The subject is a little different.
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Also, re: '...simultaneously and without conflict', I think that's one of the things which, in general, makes the Buddhadharma so unique, but at the same time is difficult for some people who always want a 'yes/no', 'black/white' answer to get their head around. Just an observation.
"acceptance without acceptance" "making choices of what you like/dropping simultaneously likes and dislikes" "moving forward/going no place" ... the ability to grasp life on two-levels-not-even-one is a key to our Practice, I think.