I've been thinking about attending some Zen Buddhist meditations and classes.
I'm not unhappy with Christianity, or being a Lutheran, and I haven't stopped believing in Jesus.
I'm just looking for something more.
I've always believed in a prankster God, a joking God that laughs and winks, and has a hearty chuckle with us. Zen seems in tune with that, so much more so than other religions. Modern fundamentalist Christians are turning Jesus and Christianity in general into such a dour, unforgiving lot.
So maybe it's not Christ I'm unhappy with. It's his followers.
Comments (2)
... So maybe it's not Christ I'm unhappy with. It's his followers ...
Familiar sentiment. Over the years I've been reading numerous books by Thich Naht Hahn who in his book, Living Buddha, Living Christ, illustrates - quite well - that Buddhist practices and Christianity aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, a number of Christians and Jews seem to find great insight from a blend of the two.
From a black perspective, check out (if you haven't already) Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace by Angel Kyodo Williams ...
I haven't taken up monk/nundom nor do I have a Zen Master to follow ... Have even added a little Kabbalism to my diet (currently reading The 72 Names of God by Yehuda Berg) so the thirst for something different isn't as unique as you might think or feel.
Posted by Qusan | October 15, 2003 8:38 PM
Posted on October 15, 2003 20:38
I remember even reading about a meeting between the Pope and Dali Lama where the Pope was close to saying they could co-exist, but didn't want to endorse Buddhism directly, lest he distract attention from Catholicism.
But I know they're not incompatible, I just need to strike my own personal balance.
Posted by Mo | October 16, 2003 11:52 AM
Posted on October 16, 2003 11:52