Zen, anyone else else interested in it?

[Fierysonic]

Just wondering if any of my fellow Anand'ers like reading Zen stuff. Personally, I think it's pretty cool, but I'm definitely disgusted with what some people turn it into. Whatcha all think about it?

Ryan

 

[Scrapster]

I think about it, but I don't.

 

[Fierysonic]

lol

 

[adams]

I practice Vipassana meditation, which isn't Zen, but it comes from the teaching of the Buddha. I find it very helpful, and I like what I have turned into

 

[Scrapster]

I think there are many different 'branches' of zen. Like maharaji, vipassana, etc.. I'm thinking of starting my own branch. I'm going to call it, lazyasseswhoneffalldayaji.

 

[adams]

<< I'm going to call it, lazyasseswhoneffalldayaji >>



You'd probably find lots of willing recruits here

 

[cyclistca]

I'm interested in Buddhism. First became interested in it last year after going out with a girl that practices Zen. I've read a few books on it and plan to attend an all day retreat at the local college in a few weeks.

 

[Plantanthera]

No, I don't practice Zen, but have study it as part of my Asian history and anthropology study.

Zen is an art (similar to all religious principles) that was used to control people. It is a clever devised plan that the monks &amp; aristocrats used to keep the servants happy/inline. Its ideal is to be acceptant of one position in life and do not question the authority (similar to Confucianism). AKA. The wealthy &amp; there offspring should be contented &amp; stay rich, while the uneducated poor &amp; their children should be glad to be a live as obedience servant.

 

[DonaldDuck82]

thanks for the clarification

 

[thEnEuRoMancER]

I read the book &quot;Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance&quot;. I don't know about zen, but it sure hasn't a lot to do with motorcycle maintenance...

 

[Zenmervolt]

Well, in the intro, Persig states that Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance is not about motorcycle maintenance and even less about Zen. I keep getting interested in it, but my list of books to read is so long already thit it may be a year before I get a chance to really look into it. (It was an interest in Zen that landed me the first sylable of my nick.)

Zenmervolt

 

[thEnEuRoMancER]

Take your time for this one - it's Pirsig's philosophic manifesto.

 

[Zenmervolt]

thEnEuRoMancER; Actually, I'd consider Lila to be Persig's philosophic manifesto. Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance was more of an exploration of the background of this philosophy. Lila is a great book, but much deeper than ZMM.

Zenmervolt

EDIT: Clarification, the &quot;it&quot; that I was referring to in my initial post was Zen. I have read ZMM three times over and have been through Lila once.

 

[Scrapster]

I would recommend reading (for zen newbies):

Sacred Hoops
Zen mind, Beginners Mind

In that order. Sacred Hoops especially if you're a sports fan.