A
Absolute perspective, 70, 71, 142, 160
Aggressiveness and possessiveness, 65, 85, 122
Aid, spiritual or material, resolution on, 138–139
Alcohol and drugs, resolution on, 139
Already and not yet enlightened: analysis of, 120–121, 127–130; in Christianity, 135; expressions of, 130–133; in Zen practice, 133–135
Already enlightened, 120–123, 133
Ambition, practicing with, book on, 184
Anger, resolution on, 139
Angry thoughts, 88
Anything practice, 144–150
Apology, 166
Apostles’ Creed, 44
Asceticism, 58
Atlanta Soto Zen Center, 154
Attachments and aversions: letting go of, 75, 76, 124; noticing, 87, 88; and sesshin, 169; and suffering, 65–68
Augustine, Saint, 63
Aversions. See Attachments and aversions
Awakening, 58, 68–69, 104. See also Enlightenment; Realization; Wisdom
Awakening/encouragement stick (kyosaku), 162–163
Awareness: in centering prayer, 47; clear, 76, 116; developing, 15–16, 86; of everything, 31; expanding, 51, 144; and sesshin, 168. See also Compassionate awareness; Noticing thoughts
B
Bad news and good news, 64, 67–69, 100–103, 105, 109–111, 121, 124, 133, 176
Baptism, 43–44
Biblical commandments, 69, 141
Biblical ethic, 140
Bodhisattva, 136, 137, 138, 142, 161
Boorstein, S., 72
Breakthrough (kensho), 38
Breath control, attempt at, 57
Breathing, feeling of, noticing, 15, 83, 85, 119, 151, 163, 171–173
Breathing practices. See Counting the breath; Following the breath
Buddha: bowing to, 159; first teachings of, 61; image of, 59–60; versus Jesus, 3; as an ordinary person, 3; and poisoned arrow analogy, 78–79; refuge in, 137, 138; resolution about, 138; story of, 32, 54–59; teachings of, record of, 160
Buddha-nature/buddhahood, 80, 104–105, 131, 134, 136; different forms of, 182. See also Enlightened; Enlightenment
Buddhism: books on, 183–186; expectation of, 37–38; form of, melded with Taoism, 126; literature of, 160; spread of, 58; teachings in, 61–77; traditions of, 26; way of, 68–70. See also Zen Buddhism
Buddhist precepts, 75, 104, 137–140
Buddhist psychology, 172
C
Candler School of Theology, 40, 48, 50
Candler’s Youth Theology Institute, 49
Caring, 187
Carroll University, 50
Center of the body (hara), 16, 19, 116, 119, 160, 172, 173, 174
Centering prayer: about, 47; finding groups for, suggestions on, 186. See also Contemplative prayer
Central Congregational UCC, 155
Chairs, sitting on, position for, 10, 12, 131, 152
Change, desire for, 122–125
Changing weather, image of, 175–178
Channa, 55–56
Chanting, 28, 143, 157, 159, 161, 167
Chesterton, G. K., 181
Christian Zen practitioner, becoming, personal account of, 25–50
Christianity: caricatures of, encountering, 164–166; doctrines of, understanding, 91, 96–99, 107–108; exploring, 40–42; language in, 135; morality in, 140–142; recognizing pain and death in, 67; and selflessness, 69; traditions of, 26. See also Zen and Christianity
Claims/propositions, 94, 97–99
Clear awareness, 116
Clothing, 6–7
Cloud of Unknowing, The (Anonymous), 33, 36, 47
Clutch analogy, 20–23
Commandments, biblical, 69, 141
Communal prayer, 45
Community: of prayer, 50; sense of, 28, 137, 166
Community of Zen practitioners. See Sangha
Compassion: Buddha moved by, 58; and desire for change, 122; free to practice, 2, 66, 68, 69; as fruit of liberation, 95, 100, 103–106; koans and, 93; as manifestation of enlightenment, 136–142; maximizing, 75; and pain, 137; and sesshin, 168–169
Compassionate action, 139–140
Compassionate awareness, 2, 83, 86, 87, 148, 150, 179, 182
Compassionate service, 136
Confessions (Augustine), 63
Contemplative prayer, 45, 46, 47, 87, 144; books on, 185–186; finding groups for, 186
Contemplative spirituality, psychology of, 38
Conversion experience, crisis as, 32
Counting the breath, 6, 15–16, 19, 29, 82, 115, 143, 163, 170, 174
Craddock, F., 181
Craving (trishna), 64–65, 68, 73, 79, 94, 122
Cross-legged positions, 7–8, 9, 10, 12, 14–15
Crucifix, centrality of, 67
D
Daisan/dokusan (interview with Zen teacher), 163–164, 167–168
Dark Night of the Soul (John of the Cross), 34
Death. See Mortality; Pain and death
Desire, 64–66, 71, 73, 122–123
Determination, great, 133–135
Dharma talk (teisho), 153, 161, 164, 167
Discipline issues, 36–37
Discursive prayer, 46–47
Disengagement, 20–22
Dissatisfaction, 62, 63. See also Suffering (duhkha)
Distractions, 82–83
Doctrines: Christian, 91, 96, 97–99, 107–108; sounding like, 91, 93–94
Dokusan/daisan (interview with Zen teacher), 163–164, 167–168
Dorsey, I., 123
Doubt, great, 133–135
Drum, wooden (mokugyo), 159
Duhkha. See Suffering (duhkha)
E
Eating, enjoying, 29
Eating practice, 145–146, 155. See also Meals
Eating ritual (oryoki), 167
Ecclesiastes, narrator of, 63
Effort: right, 75; role of, 104, 105
Egoism. See Self-centeredness
Eightfold Path, 73–77, 79–80, 94
Emory University, 40, 41, 44, 49, 155
“Emperor’s new clothes” phenomenon, 130
Emptiness (shunyata), 160
Encouragement/awakening stick (kyosaku), 162–163
Enlightened: already, 120–123, 124, 134, 182; already and not yet, 126–136; by everything, 58; not yet, 124–126, 134
Enlightenment: experience of, 38; as the good news, 101–103; manifestation of, 136–142; pointing to, 96; role of Buddha in, 62; and shikantaza, 170; understanding of, 80; and Zen practice, 104–105. See also Awakening; Realization; Wisdom
Epiphany, religious and vocational, 41
Equipment, 7, 152; sources of, 186–187
Escape, attempts at, 20
Ethical guidelines, 137–147
Ethics, types of, 140–141
Everything practice, 143–150
Evil, avoiding, 137
Expressions, 98. See also Observations
Expressive ethic, 141
F
Faith, great, 133–134
Faults, speaking of other’s, resolution on, 139, 140
First Noble Truth, 62–64, 65, 67, 79, 94, 98, 100, 109
Flowing stream, image of, 178–179
Following a precept, 140
Following the breath, 115–117, 143, 170, 174
Four Bodhisattva Vows, 161
Four Noble Truths: description of, 61–77; as empty, 160–161; sounding like doctrines, 94; summarized, 73–74; Zen appropriation of, 79–81
Fourth Noble Truth, 74–77, 79–81, 94–95
Freedom, 2, 21, 65, 96, 111, 121, 124, 142, 169. See also Liberation from suffering
Freud, S., 26
Full-lotus position, 9
G
Gassho (hand gesture in bowing), 158–159
Gateless Barrier, The (Mumon), 92
Gautama, S., 54–59. See also Buddha
Getting Saved from the Sixties (Tipton), 140
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, 155
God: and Christian teaching, 91; and the crucifix, 67; doubts about, 44, 46; grace of, 42, 101, 102, 107–110; loving, capacity for, nurturing, 3, 4; paradoxical language about, 70, 96, 129–130, 132–135, 164; prayer and, 46–47; reign of, 135; will of, opening to, 4, 38
Good, doing, 137–138
Good news, bad news and, 64, 67–69, 100–103, 105, 109–111, 121, 124, 133, 176
Gratitude, practice of, 158–159
Great faith, great doubt, and great determination, 133–134
Green Bough House of Prayer, 48
Grieving, 72
Group practice, benefits of, 155–156, 168
Guilt, 121
H
Hakuin, 132
Hallucinations (makyo), 84
Hand positioning, 13, 52, 158–159, 162
Hara (center of the body), 16, 19, 116, 119, 160, 172, 173, 174
Hobbit, The (Tolkein), 67
Hosan (weekend equivalent), 29
Howatch, S., 33
Hui-k’o, 126–127
I
Ignorance, 65, 66, 67, 68, 73, 124
“Indian-style” position, 8–10
Indifference, 177
Indulging in thoughts, 89
Insistent thoughts, 84
Intensity, 125
Intensive meditation retreat (sesshin), 30, 167
Intention, right, 77
Interview with Zen teacher (dokusan/daisan), 163–164
Isaiah, passage from, 21
J
Jesus: versus Buddha, 99, 111–112; and the crucifix, 67; doubts about, 43; and God’s reign, 135; on lust, 89; paradoxical language about, 135–136; visualizing, 39–40
Jewels, Three, 137
John of the Cross, Saint, 28, 33
“Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification,” 107
Joy, 2, 65, 68, 71, 95, 121, 134, 169
“Joys of Mediocrity, The” (Welther), 181
Just sitting (shikantaza), 170–178
K
Kensho (breakthrough), 38
Killing, resolution on, 138
Kinhin (walking meditation), 51–53, 143, 157
Kyosaku (awakening/encouragement stick), 162–163
L
Language: paradoxical, 70, 96, 129–130, 132–135, 164; poetic, 132, 164
Laughing Buddha, 60–61
Letter to the Hebrews, 180
Liberation from suffering: fruits of, role of effort in, 103–106; as the good news, 101, 102; inherent, 80; offering way of, 61; others’, concern for, 136–139; path to, 70–73; as possible, 68–70, 123–124; and sesshin, 169; of Siddhartha, 57; understanding way to, 38–39; verse on, 132; way to, 2. See also Freedom
Life and death, questions of, 32, 34, 35, 56. See also Mortality
Lindbeck, G., 97–98
Listening practice, 146–147
Listing thoughts, 87–88
Loving God, capacity for, nurturing, 3, 4
Lustful thoughts, 88–89
Lutheran World Federation, 107
Lying, resolution on, 138
M
Maezumi, T., 28
Makyo (hallucinations), 84
Manageable, suffering as, 72
Marpa, 72
Marx, K., 26
Marymount School of New York, 50
Maya, 54–55
Meals, 18, 28, 30, 48, 49, 155, 167. See also Eating practice
Mediocrity, embracing, 180–182
Meditation: and the Eightfold Path, 74, 75–77, 71; as fruit of liberation, 104–105; practical instructions about, 9, 14, 18, 51, 53, 91; zen as meaning, 2, 6. See also specific forms of meditation
Meditation hall (zendo), 154, 162, 167
Meditation supplies: basic, 6–8; sources of, 186
Methodism, 42
Mindfulness, right, 76
Mokugyo (wooden drum), 159
Monastic life, example of. See Zen Mountain Monastery
Mortality, 32, 35, 98. See also Pain and death
Mouth positioning, 13
Movie analogy, 70
Mudra (zazen hand position), 13
Mumon, 92
Mumonkan, 92
N
New Seeds of Contemplation (Merton), 34
Nicene Creed, 44
Nietzsche, F. W., 26
Nirvana realm, 68, 73, 80, 95, 161
Noble Truths. See Four Noble Truths
No-self: awakening to, 69; experiencing, 2; ignorant about, 68; inherent, 85; and practicing with pain, 147–148; realizing, 71, 73; sounding like a doctrine, 95; teachings of, extension of, 160; understanding, 77; way of, 2
Not yet enlightened, 124–127, 134
Nothing, doing, 170
Noticing thoughts: in any activity, 143; compassionately, 85–87; of desiring change, 122; as part of meditation, 76; reflecting on, 87–89; and sensations while just sitting, 171–173; in sesshin, 169; and understanding thoughts, 82–85; while counting the breath, 15–16, 29; while following a precept, 140; while following the breath, 115–117; while walking, 51–53; and willfulness, 38–39. See also Awareness
O
Observations, 61–62, 94, 97, 104, 146, 172
Old master (roshi), 28
Optimism and pessimism, 108–110
Oryoki (eating ritual), 167
P
Pain and death: inevitability of, 20, 32, 56; life of, 62–64, 67; realness of, 71. See also Mortality; Suffering (duhkha)
Pain, practicing with, 147–150; books on, 184
Paradoxical language, 70, 96, 129–130, 132–135, 164
Path, Eightfold, 74–77, 79–80, 94
Pelvic positioning, 12
“Perfection of Wisdom” literature, 160
Perfectionism, letting go of, 180–181
Persistence, 17
Pessimism and optimism, 108–110
Poisoned arrow analogy, 78–79
Poisons, Three, 66, 73. See also Attachments and aversions; Ignorance
Possessiveness and aggressiveness, 65, 85, 122
Practical instructions, 91, 93, 94
Practicing Zen. See Zen practice
Praising oneself, resolution on, 139, 140
Prayer, 25, 42, 45–50, 87, 105, 121, 144, 152, 181 See also Contemplative prayer
Present moment, returning to. See Noticing thoughts
Priesthood, 41
Propositions/claims, 94, 97–99
Protestantism, 107–108
Psalm 46, 47
Psychology: Buddhist, 172; of contemplative spirituality, 38; of religion, 26
Pu-tai, 60
Q
Questions: of life and death, 34, 35, 78; unanswered, 78–79
R
Rahner, K., 46
Rahula, 55
Reality, 2, 38, 70, 71, 75–77, 94
Realization, 58, 80, 104, 111, 126; of no-self, 71, 73; versus salvation, 106. See also Awakening; Enlightenment; Wisdom
Reflection, written, 87–88
Relative perspective, 70, 71, 142, 160
Religion, psychology of, 26
Religious searching, personal account of, 32–43
Religious training, limited, example of, 25–26
Resolutions, ethical, general and specific, 138, 139
Retreats, 27, 29, 33, 38–39, 48, 144; attending, contact information for, 169. See also Sesshin (intensive meditation retreat)
Returning to present moment. See Noticing thoughts
Right, connotation of, 74
Right practices, 74–77
Rinzai sect, 52
Roman Catholic Church, 107
Roshi (old master), 28
S
Salvation, 21, 42, 101, 102, 103, 105–106, 107, 111, 112; versus realization, 106
Sanctification, 105
Sangha, 28, 137, 138, 158, 164
Second Noble Truth, 64–65, 67, 68, 79, 94, 122
Self: perspectives of, 70–71; studying, 85
Self-centeredness: and desires, 66–67, 122–123; letting go of, 148; liberation from, 68, 71, 169
Selflessness. See No-self
Senses, 172
Sesshin (intensive meditation retreat), 30, 167, 168–169
Sexuality, resolution on, 138
Shakyamuni, 54, 59. See also Buddha
Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, 47–48, 87
Shifting positions, 14
Shikantaza (just sitting), 170–178
Shin, meaning of, 168
Shunyata (emptiness), 160
Siddhartha, 54–58, 62. See also Buddha
Silence, 27, 29, 30, 48, 49, 130, 144, 155, 166
Sin, 89, 101, 102, 103, 109, 110, 111, 113
Sitting cushion (zafu), 7, 8–10, 36, 91, 155, 158–159
Sitting meditation. See Zazen (sitting meditation)
Sitting positions: on chairs, 10, 12, 131, 152; cross-legged, 7–8, 9, 10, 12, 14–15; kneeling, 8, 12; maintaining, elements for, 12, 14, 15, 17–18
Six senses, 172
Sixteen Precepts, 75, 104, 137–140
Skillful living, 74–75
Snow globe metaphor, 117–119
Soto sect, 52
Soto Zen Center, Atlanta, 45, 154
Speaking of other’s faults, resolution on, 138–139, 140
Spine positioning, 8, 12, 19, 51, 95, 116, 174
Stealing, resolution on, 138
Stream image, 178
Suffering (duhkha): as the bad news, 100, 102; cessation of, truth of, 68, 72; as manageable, 72; origin of, truth of, 64–68, 77, 94; path to cessation of, truth of, 74–77; and practicing with pain, 147–150; as the problem, 61; versus sin, 111; truth of, 62–65, 67; and unanswered questions, 78–79. See also Liberation from suffering
Sutra: Heart, 28, 160–161; meaning of, 160
Swirling thoughts, settling, 117–119
Symbols, 97–98
T
“Tailor” position, 10
Teisho (dharma talk), 153, 161, 164, 167
Ten Cardinal Precepts, 137, 138
Teresa of Avila, Saint, 28
Therapeutic worldview, 37
Third Noble Truth, 68–73, 79, 94, 100, 124
Thoughts: acting on, 89; indulging in, 89; listing, 87–88; meaning of, 16–17; swirling, settling, 117–119; understanding, 82–85. See also Noticing thoughts
Three General Resolutions, 137, 138
Three Jewels/Treasures, 137
Three Poisons, 66, 73. See also Attachments and aversions; Ignorance
Three Trainings, 74–77
Tibetan Buddhist center, 33, 36
Time periods for meditating, 17–18, 51, 152, 167–168
Tipton, S., 140
Tracy, D., 114
Train station, image of, 86
Trainings, Three, 74–77
Treasures, Three, 137
Trishna (craving), 64–65, 68, 73, 79, 94, 122
Trungpa, C., 33
Truth: of the cessation of suffering, 68–74; levels of, 70; of the origin of suffering, 64–68, 73, 94; of the path to cessation of suffering, 74–77; pointing to, 129, 133, 134; of suffering, 62–64. See also Four Noble Truths
Two truths, 70
U
Unanswered questions, 78–79
Utilitarian individual ethic, 141
V
Varieties of Religious Experience, The (James), 26
Vatican, the, 41
Visualization, use of, 39
W
Walking meditation (kinhin), 51–53, 143, 157
Weather image, 175–178
Weekend equivalent (hosan), 29
Wesley, J., 42
Will and Spirit (May), 38
Wisdom, 62, 63, 66, 67–68, 74, 76–77, 80, 93, 136–137, 142, 160. See also Awakening; Enlightenment; Realization
“Works righteousness,” 106–108
Written reflection, 87–88
Y
Yashodhara, 55
Z
Zafu (sitting cushion), 7, 8–10, 36, 91, 155, 158–159
Zazen (sitting meditation): Bodhidharma and Hui-k’o practicing, 126–127; and counting the breath, 6, 17, 19, 29, 82, 115, 143, 170, 174; disengagement in, 20–22; expanding awareness uncovered in, 144; and following the breath, 115–117, 170, 174; getting ready for, 6–8; and just sitting, 170–178; and practicing with pain, 147–150; as a regular practice, 151–156; and sesshin, 168; Siddhartha practicing, 57; sitting position for, finding, 7–15; time periods for, 17–18, 51, 152, 167–168; at Zen centers, 157; at Zen Mountain Monastery, 27, 34
Zen and Christianity: books on, 111, 185; illusory differences between, 106–110; as incommensurable, 112–113; real differences between, 110–113; similarities between, 100–106
Zen and the Birds of Appetite (Merton), 3
Zen Buddhism: focus of, 79–80; misunderstanding, 91–92, 94, 98–99, 106; sects of, 52; spread of, 58–60; teachings in, main types of, 91–96; way of, 1–2, 80, 96. See also Buddhism; Meditation; Zen and Christianity; Zen practice
Zen Center of Los Angeles, 28
Zen centers: finding, suggestions for, 187–188; practicing at, 157–166
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind (Suzuki), 129–130
Zen Mountain Monastery, 27, 34, 45, 154
Zen practice: already and not yet enlightened in, 129, 133–134; books on, 184; and enlightenment, 104–106; fodder for, 122; intensity required for, 125, 126–127; learning through, 4–5; misunderstandings about, 94, 99, 106, 120, 176–177; perfectionism in, letting go of, 180–181; reasons for beginning, 124–125, 140–141; regular, developing, 151–156; struggling with, 121; at a Zen center, 157–166. See also specific meditative practices
Zen practitioner, Christian, personal account of becoming, 25–50
Zen practitioners, community of. See Sangha
Zendo (meditation hall), 154, 162, 167
Zenji, D., 85