I thought that the Buddha said that attachment was the root of all suffering.
Bill
Find what makes your heart sing…and do it!
________________________________
From: Glenn Rogers <rgthies...@yahoo.ca>
To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, August 27, 2012 1:17:58 PM
Subject: [Zen] Re: Hello
Indeed, fear is at the root of suffering.
Glenn
--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Â fear..tis our own worst enemy..merle
>
>
> Â
> Thanks for this, Joe. I forget that it wasn't too long ago that I struggled
>between the poles of the revealed and mystical traditions. And I know that a
>big
>part of that struggle was fear: What if the authorities are right and I might
>be
>going to hell? I remember one evangelist saying, "What if there is no hell?
>Well, what if there is? Why take the chance?"
>
> Glenn
>
> --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Joe" <desert_woodworker@> wrote:
> >
> > Glenn,
> >
> > Howdy. Taking two points, in turn:
> >
> > > Are there any Gnostic Christians still around?
> >
> > I don't think I've run into anyone in my travels who is self- described as
> > a
>Gnostic. Elaine Pagels has written a nice book about the Gnostic gospels,
>though
> >
> > But there are "CONTEMPLATIVE" Christians around, and these regularly get
> > into
>trouble with the Roman Church, and maybe other churches. Their practice is
>influenced by Zen practice methods, and by Thomas Merton ("Father Louie", who
>was himself influenced by his own epoch of Zen practice).
> >
> > And "Centering-Prayer", you know, has caused as much uproar in some
> > quarters
>as it has caused peace, calm, and love in other quarters. ;-)
> >
> > > Why would people be more interested in being told what to believe, as
>opposed to exploring Truth for themselves?
> >
> > I think that for some it's not a matter of "interest", or being interested,
>as it is a sense or feeling of safety or even compulsion in trusting the
>received understanding of scripture(s). Also, there's the matter of trusting
>or
>addressing "Authority", and not wishing to run afoul of it, whatever "afoul"
>would entail. In olden times -- not too long ago? -- afoul would entail death,
>usually a horrible death, at that.
> >
> > A Revealed tradition is different from a Mystical tradition. A revealed
>tradition is simply the codification and "doctrine-ification" of a founder's
>mystical- (direct-) experience. Scripture versus Experience seem to be the
>poles
>of religious life. Of course, in Buddhism, we are urged to have the experience
>of the Founder. The Zen tradition *really* emphasizes this, and even hints
>that
>we should KILL the Buddha, should we ever meet such a One. ;-)
> >
> > So, say, Buddha!: this Zen-planet is not safe for you; keep off. Or, remain
>incognito. ;-)
> >
> > Best we can do is practice. Thankfully, there are ways to do so, and much
>help, and many friends, available. Whew.
> >
> > --Joe
> >
> > > "Glenn Rogers" <rgthiessen@> wrote:
> > >
> > > In my Shangha searching, I have found many Buddhists who pray/chant to
>Buddah, and they seem to view him as a god, rather than their own nature.
> >
>
