Life in a zen monastery 1/3 Sogenji Okayama

[pumaona]

Its such a shame that there is no english translation :(

[wawei67]

Zen is for rich cunts who like to control things and are afraid of tao and dirt.

[catandpiddle]

comments here show an appalling lack of understanding on this matter. read the buddhist teacher, fluent japanese speaker, daizen victoria's 'zen at war' and or 'zen war stories' for the larger, truer perspective on zen, it's deep connection to political power and militarism in japan

[destructicon500]

@catandpiddle Just one aspect of a whole stream of Buddhist practice. While the book does reveal how Zen Buddhism has been misused in the past, one can't point to that and say the whole philosophy is wrong.

[catandpiddle]

@destructicon500 no, you're quite right it cannot. all the same, keep your eyes very wide open and when the emperor is wearing no clothes, as is so often the case in zen, then say it ...

[kiriakos2012]

i prefer a japanese monastery

[ZZaiBoT2011]

I am Zenbuddhism like the Samurais

[ZZaiBoT2011]

Samurais used Zen to be fearless

[ZZaiBoT2011]

Zen is a religion. Zen is 1 of 8 schools of buddhism. The Samurai warriors used Zenbuddhism in war

[menesesalgi]

Zen is not a religion, it's a practice, a way of life

[AlanMolstad]

anyone know of any videos where guys into ZEN are doing something funny?.....

[catandpiddle]

I guarantee these guys have moved on. most 'wake up' realize there's a real life in the world and go and get on with it. this is, or rather was, a scandal infested place. lots of hanky-panky going on at all levels from the top down for years.

[woodwhips]

@catandpiddle

What is more real than a life of meditation and awareness?

Are you saying living within the image of our society is more important than to live within your emotions? I'm confused about what you refer to as "the real life", and how this is not part of it..?

and will you describe the "hanky-panky" you speak of that went on here?

[catandpiddle]

@woodwhips what is more real than a life of mediation and awareness you ask? taking care of family, working in an office, things like that. this looks wonderful, ideal but it's not. as for 'hanky-panky' wherever men and women are together there's plenty of it ... nudge-wink.

[woodwhips]

@catandpiddle

well, it seems your just just attaching your own ideology to these people, claiming that everyone is promiscuous by nature, which obviously isn't always true.

And your totally right, I agree family should be top on your priority list, but if you are depressed and agitated all the time, your family may be a complete mess of abuse and hatred (too many family's are)...

And really puddle? Pushing papers around in an office is what we were born to do? that's the real life?

[Genrokaren]

scandal infested? Please explain,

[MountAnalogue]

is this zen mountain monastery?

[DrSanchez666]

LoL , Losers.

[DavidInSugarLand]

My stay was also brief, only 10 months or so. I did make it through O-sesshin and it was an amazing experience. I am so happy to see Chi-san in this video, she is a wonderful person!

[Chillerbill]

Subs plz, or change the title to another language

[dragateli]

subs?

[doubleestark]

欧米人達の方が、キリスト教で育っているのに仏教の修行に対して­、一般の日本人達よりも、平均的に熱心で、仏教の知識も僧侶にな­れる程偉いと思います。頑張ってください。

[DaoJournik]

@doubleestark very well said.

[tremben]

Although our Soto Zen Priory was very western in fashion, it was monastic in rule. 30yrs on, and I miss it at a heart level.

BTW the images of the fellow rolling up his mat reminded me of Gampo Abbey, sleeping in a group in the shrine room, at those moments when our population rocketed from 40 or so to well over 100. Great times for good manners!

[KobutsuMalone]

My brief three months at Sogen-Ji with my son was the most profound experience of my life.

Ven. Shodo Harada, Roshi is indeed the leading Rinzai Master alive on the planet.

[1ndr4n4th]

I was in Sogenji for 9 months. I can say that it wasn't my cup of tea. It was quite difficult and hard and it was worth what it was worth.

My opinion is as good as any other, but concerning the people there, I find the environment a bit weird. A lot of ego and human "stuff" going on. Too human, in my view.

The Roshi is awsome though. I don't doubt for a moment about the depth of his realization. Being in sanzen with him was liking facing God or a Zen Patriarch. He is indeed very powerful.

[starfishyinthesky]

Just came back from there after being there a month and I definitely have to say that I agree with that

[WhAtIsMoUsE]

@1ndr4n4th how much does it cost to stay at sogenji?

[tmwilson06]

Going there in about two weeks to practice for a month between semesters! So excited!

[chorbster]

the value of my opnion is humble, but i disagree with what you say here.

I think only humans can 'allie' themselves with other humans, though these humans may be religious, the religion itself is not the allie.

In general, religions are subject to interpretation, for example some may chose to label it an insidious tissue of lies

[Medracin]

@znamrennug Human fault should not be blamed on a religion. Buddhism is a religion of peace and happiness. What people did in the past is due to their own mistakes. It is not the fault of Buddhism.

[dylescredo]

How will drops of water find themselves to be a river. - Zen Saying

[empyblessing]

There is nothing you can see that is not a flower. There is nothing you can think that is not the moon. -Basho