With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
After a day of being a slug, I finally got moving this morning and went both to the Temple Discussion Group and a hill run. I feel energized as usual. Now, if only I can recall this feeling again tomorrow morning
As a note from Kokyo (on another list) seemed to suggest this morning, there are many Zen Buddhists who apparently struggle with the introduction of God into Buddhist discussion. My own Teacher, Rev. Hogaku McGuire, has such issues. Yet, I believe these "issues" stem from a rather narrow understanding of God. Moreover, many Christians and Jews come to Zen due to feeling alienated or burned by their home clergy or congregations.
Yet, monotheism is far more than a rigid Christian, Jewish, or Muslim understanding of God. While much of monotheism, by definition, is about belief and Zen is not, both are about experience. We experience shunyata, we experience the Dharma, we experience God, not as a "being" per se, but as an experience. Then religionists try to talk about it. Oy. Such a mistake!
Therein is the koan. If I ask you what is the difference between the Dharma and God, what can you say? If you say anything, you are wrong!
Be well.
