Are there any Zen Pagans out there? Is Zen Paganism a functional religion?

Question

Let's use as a base definition .....

for Zen: "emphasis on practice and experiential wisdom—particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen—in the attainment of awakening."

And Paganism: "a term which, from a Western perspective, has come to connote a broad set of spiritual or cultic practices or beliefs of any folk religion, and of historical and contemporary polytheistic religions in particular."

Answer 1

I can answer that... I have practiced Zen for many years, and am also a Pagan Priestess. Fenris is correct, the 2 are not connected. Zen is a philosophy that enables us to lead a happy and well-balanced life. It is a division of Buddhism without any gods or metaphysical aspects, so it is really more of a philosophy, not a religion. On the other hand, it is wonderful preparation for opening the mind to metaphysics and dedicating oneself to serving a deity or deities without ego or false perceptions being in the way.

I was an athiest with a Zen philosophy most of my life, until I began to have metaphysical experiences with my Goddess. I tested these experiences until I was sure they were genuine and then accepted my calling and dedicated my life to Her service. I don't ask others to believe me but I can tell you that it has made a wonderful difference in my life.

I have a website you can visit if you wish to know more. It's rather dry reading, since I'm sort of a technical type and don't know how to write any more interestingly... but anyway, the address is:

www.cybele2.com

I hope my post is helpful.

Many Blessings,

Jeanie

Answer 2

The wonderfull thing about pagans (and i use the term loosly), is that they do not shut out other beliefs or practices. And there are very few "functional" religions out there to begin with..lol.
Pagans (as you put them), are very aware that there are other faiths out there that use different methods to attain this "awakening", but also realize that it is one in the same. I myself use the Tarot with meditation.
You will ALWAYS find that each individual has thier own way of doing things or thinking things but I am postitive you will find others with the same idea's, just keep looking!

Answer 3

YES I AM.

NO I would not call it a functional Religion. they are two separate things combined together to make one belief for the individual and I think it is different for each person that practices both ZEN and Paganism such as myself.

I'm proud to be both!

Answer 4

it should be, I think it's ppl with pagan beliefes that practice zen, since zen is more of a mental thing and pagans are open to more than on deity so the shoe can fit either way.

Answer 5

I've seen people mix and match all sorts of religions to match their needed desires. I'm sure there are plenty out there but most probably describe themselves as simply spiritual. 8) Have a good night my friend.

Answer 6

Wooo!!! The Pagan's have a troll!!! i'm not sure if I might desire to be chuffed or unhappy... yet somebody took the time to be another than undesirable Tim, who grew to become into purely airplane attractive. (referencing some months in the past) until eventually I surely have a link, or a e book, that exceedingly talks approximately this particular faith talked approximately as "Paganism", i'm going to easily see it as an umbrella term. you assert you employ Bonowits. the place does Bonowits ever communicate of a particular faith talked approximately as "Paganism"? I unquestionably can't think of of a place to look, so in case you need to factor me in the the desirable option course it may succeed. i've got heard his call pronounced in Wiccan correct textile, and that i've got heavily heard it in Druid correct textile. in actuality, Bonowits is the reason ADF exists. even with the undeniable fact that ADF has in all probability replaced very much by using the years, it has unquestionably taught me how fairly diverse Pagan religions may be. EDIT: Noddy -- i admire you, i for my area do. In a very respectful, platonic, instructor-pupil style of way. undesirable tim -- no longer something is battling you from calling what you have self assurance Pagan, Eclectic Un-Chaotic Discordian, or Orginization of the pink Dancing Platipuses for crimson Hearts on Tuesdays (OPDPPHT for short). I surely tend to circulate with Eclectic Norse Pagan for my area, yet OPDPPHT grew to become into an in depth 2nd ;). You even comprehend making use of a hardship-unfastened term to describe something else may be puzzling to many people. Eclectic Pagan i'm able to dig, seeing as you're looking the shineys from the great field of Paganism and calling your shiney series what you have self assurance. I try this too, yet to then state that your shiney series is Pagan, with a capital P, might reason confusion in fairly some people's minds. Your style of "Pagan" would be diverse from somebody else's style. those transformations make "Pagan" an incohesive singular religious identify. And for my area, I have not any subject with you calling my Gods, my pals gods, or Barney on your rituals. for my area, its the Gods you have the potential row with, no longer me. As you stated, we've lost infinite issues, yet we've additionally retained and reconstructed a huge quantity as properly. ### On Friday, who's up for making use of Llewellyn books for kindling rather of timber?

Answer 7

Never used that name, but I dig Zen and Paganism.
Like PB&J, they just go well together.

Answer 8

Zen

Zen [zen]
noun
form of Buddhism: a major school of Buddhism originating in 12th-century China that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and insight

jtm

Answer 9

Zen itself isn't a religion as much as it is a practice of other religions, and the Eastern ideology accepts syncretism, when one can claim to be Buddhist, Taoist, Pagan, and it's accepted and understood. So I'd guess, as rational as a religion can be, yes. At least on paper.

Answer 10

religion takes common sense away from any equation.