Mel, Even zen practice takes faith - at least in the beginning. You either have faith in the writings or your teacher - or both. After you experience Buddha Nature you no longer need faith, but until then I believe you do.
...Bill! --- In [email protected], Mel <gunnar19632000@...> wrote: > > Hello Bill, Anthony, JMJM, and all > > - Question...that 'gospel of mary'...that's about Mary Magdalene, yes? > > - A god that demands absolute obedience, and a human (well, he was in human > form) that demands faith...this really brings the question that's related to > the trinity, and so, are Jesus and God one and the same? > > - And that is so..for we in Zen don't have gods to bow to, and those fat > statues that I and others I know of also possess are not gods, but > factory-made products. It's doubtful that the old prince himself was > obese/overweight. These 'products' are bowed to and paid respect for they > represent something greater than our dualistic, self-centred selves..for we > are those very same factory goods, with those goods.... > > with Buddha's grace > Mel > > --- On Thu, 21/7/11, Bill! <BillSmart@...> wrote: > > Anthony, > > Some Christians certainly do consider the Gospel of Thomas, and the many > other 'Gospels of ...' including the Gospel of Mary that were not selected to > be included in the New Testament as heretical - but many Christians to do > not. It really just depends on whether they feel a particular gospel 'speaks > to them' and enhances their faith. > > As I've said before in a response to you, I've don't remember any quote of > Jesus commanding his followers to 'obey him without question'. I do recall > him asking for 'faith without question', but that's not the same thing. In > the Old Testament there are many references to God the Father demanding > absolute obedience. Could it be you've attributed those to Jesus by > association? > > Anyway this is a zen forum and hopefully everyone here knows better than to > give themselves over to a religion that demands 'obedience without question'. > > ...Bill! > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
