Zazen is regarded as a ritual or gyôji being thus the formal observance of enlightenment. In fact, the practice of Japanese Zen, especially Soto, is nothing but gyôji which makes it a far cry from real Buddhism - the Buddhism found in the Nikayas/Agamas and the Mahayana canon. Such reliance on ritual is unique to Japanese Zen. In China ritual is secondary. Becoming a hermit, eventually living in the mountains, aiming to realize pure Mind by studying the Sutras is the highest endeavor.
@TheBjohnson10000 I'll try: Zazen is "non-thinking" which includes the activity of thinking and not- thinking within it! Sometimes thinking is coming up, sometimes it seems to vanish...not-thinking. We go, in a sense, beyond thinking without rejecting thinking. It is presence without making one's self rigid or self-focused. That's my best...try Uchiyama's books...or Katagiri. So many good ones.
@TheBjohnson10000 The essence of Zazen is to "not think", that is, to go beyond thinking. Thus, we should avoid having intentional thoughts and images in our head. During Zazen, various thoughts and images will arise in your mind from the unconscious, and this is perfectly natural. We should not become disturbed by these thoughts or caught up in them. We should not pursue them or try to escape from them.
... OR IT FEELS SHITTY
kyleditt 1 month ago
Zazen is regarded as a ritual or gyôji being thus the formal observance of enlightenment. In fact, the practice of Japanese Zen, especially Soto, is nothing but gyôji which makes it a far cry from real Buddhism - the Buddhism found in the Nikayas/Agamas and the Mahayana canon. Such reliance on ritual is unique to Japanese Zen. In China ritual is secondary. Becoming a hermit, eventually living in the mountains, aiming to realize pure Mind by studying the Sutras is the highest endeavor.
mujaku 3 months ago
Confused.There are 2 option while sitting, thinking or not thinking. Which one does this guy do while sitting?
TheBjohnson10000 6 months ago
@TheBjohnson10000 I'll try: Zazen is "non-thinking" which includes the activity of thinking and not- thinking within it! Sometimes thinking is coming up, sometimes it seems to vanish...not-thinking. We go, in a sense, beyond thinking without rejecting thinking. It is presence without making one's self rigid or self-focused. That's my best...try Uchiyama's books...or Katagiri. So many good ones.
Good luck!
jhgosnell 3 months ago
@TheBjohnson10000 The essence of Zazen is to "not think", that is, to go beyond thinking. Thus, we should avoid having intentional thoughts and images in our head. During Zazen, various thoughts and images will arise in your mind from the unconscious, and this is perfectly natural. We should not become disturbed by these thoughts or caught up in them. We should not pursue them or try to escape from them.
Ryokushindo 2 months ago
It's funny how I thought I understood this from day one of my sitting practice but I really only "got it" (or didnt get it?) the other day
...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
chemistryfu 6 months ago
you give alot of peace in your words. I like the buddha that is behind. All perfect like zen!
juanvodka23 1 year ago 5
Dude, that's a mullet
crankenfurter 1 year ago 9