Comparing Zen Buddhism of the Ancient Orient to Zen Buddhism practiced in Modern America
2007-02-28 06:31:07 · 6 answers · asked by Theresa P 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Buddhism practiced in the classic era of Zen was much more disciplined and harsh. A teacher would often put the student through difficult physical test and require sitting meditation for days on end without a break, food or water. Today most meditation sessions last less than an hour and day long sessions are broken up with periods of walking meditation every 45 minutes or so. Also during the classic period to become a student one would have to sit at the gate of the monastery, practicing meditation on a daily bases, sometimes for years, before being admitted. Now all you have to do is find a teacher, get some basic instructions, and become part of the meditation group.
2007-02-28 06:43:31 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is an isn't orthodox praxis of any religion is totally up for grabs and usually a matter of who kills who and wipes the other guy's version out. The Son Buddhist monks (Korean Zen Buddhist) I trained with in Korea had the same practices as the ones in Monterey. Their version dates back to the 9th century. The Zen Buddhist temples here in the US seem to be mostly Japanese Soto, like the ones up the coast in San Francisco and Tacoma. I studied kendo in one. as far as I could tell the Soto practices were the same as in Japan except Americans don't like to sit zazen.
2007-02-28 06:46:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm Tibetan Buddhist, but it's the same for us... the answer is that Western minds differ from their Eastern counterparts, therefore, with Western philosophy and thinking (dualistic, etc.) close at mind when approaching the Dharma, it's harder for some to understand, unless they can (or have the karma to) tame that portion of their mind. It takes a Western mind (sometimes) a bit longer to absorb some of the definitions and philosophy. It's all good though... patience, compassion, impermanence.
_()_
2007-02-28 06:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some believe Buddha was a teacher others believe he was deity. Big difference between the two.
2007-02-28 06:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by The Angry Stick Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kinda like the differance between ancient paganism,
and modern wicca
2007-02-28 06:34:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything in the dojo is the same (or at least it's supposed to be).
Everything out of the dojo is different (or at least it ought to be).
2007-03-03 01:59:39 · answer #6 · answered by Teaim 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋