Bill!,<br/><br/>I think I'm starting to understand where our paths cross in all
this (I hope!). Traditional Buddhism uses the sutras and teachings (most
notably The Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path) to Liberation. Zen views
these methods as potential hindrances to Awakening (being the finger and not
the moon), so posits that sudden awakening is the best way (but not the only
way) to realise Buddha's experience under the Bodhi tree. <br/><br/>I think
this view is supported by many Zen masters as they often point out that *after*
awakening practice is gradual and recommend reading of the sutras etc. to
deepen the realisation. So I think we're both coming to the same conclusion
about Buddha Nature, but from different directions. I must say that I have no
problem coming from either direction as I practice both (Vipassana and Zen). I
can fully understand why Subhana (the Roshi of previous discussion) teaches
both traditions. They are complementary
not antagonistic. Does this make sense?<br/><br/>Mike<br/><br/><br/>Sent from
Yahoo! Mail for iPhone
