Oh Men

How do you know that the apparently corporal reality that you are experiencing right now is not an imaginative illusion that your Self is having, due perhaps to a bit of undigested spiritual knowledge or a blot of attachment?

I do not doubt that there are people who have the “experience” of a physical world, who believe that it is “real and valid”.

But, why should anyone else believe it is, just because those say it is, instead of being some highly detailed imaginative dream/apparition caused by too much stimulation or overactive desire.

Nothing is necessarily wrong with that point of view, but it is not a convincing argument.

“Certitude conquers doubt, not ignorance. And with doubt conquered, ignorance is invincible.”


Just checking.

Ate Oc

This little tidbit has been lingering on my desk for a couple of days now. It falls under the category of things to think about (although it isn't necessarily very deep). In regards to your theory of wave vs. particle: Is a dream a particle or a wave? If it is neither, then what physics properties does it fall under?

Rabbit Space

I don’t know if this will help, but here goes:

Part of the trouble here is that all of the words that one can use to talk about this stuff are so loaded with baggage and charged with meanings for each person, that a cursory reading of any of this stuff can easily result in throwing out the baby and keeping the bathwater. I am glad that none of you have given up, and still persist in trying to resonate with the deepest core of your being.

From my own experience I would say that yes!! there is a True Self, although trying to describe it is very confounding. And furthermore, yes!! there is that which is “greater” than True Self, and not only is trying to speak of this very confounding, but even trying to fathom some understanding of this is beyond the meager grasp of what it seems our little selves are capable of.

It only instills one with greater awe and reverence for this, I call it unknowable, in realizing It and what It might “be”. Whereas the Buddha was very wise in refusing to make any statement about the transcendent truth, I am instead a more foolish man, so I will attempt to put some of this into language here.

The sad thing here is that it is like several groups, each with a part of the puzzle, each saying I have the answer, yet neither seeing how the pieces fit together.

First of all, too much is made out of the no-self issue. You see, it is quite possible to say that there is no-self, and be correct in ones statement because, technically, the True Self is not made of some substance. The no-self is in regard to the True Self not being a thing or substance. The “no-self” in the statement refers to the fact that there is nothing, no thing or substance here.

Part of this is a perceptual fluke that humans have: that when realizing True Self you also realize that there is not some substance from which it is made of, and the effect is of perceiving nothing at the same time that you perceive this Truth. This is because we are so constantly oriented to the physicalness of our lives, out temporal existence.

Therefore, when we encounter an experience of something that is not a physical thing we perceive that it is not made of a substance. We perceive it as no-thing, or in this case no-self. This no-self statement is made as an affirmative statement that there is no thing, no substance from which the True Self is made. And, when such statements are read in the understanding of this context their intent is seen. Anyone who thinks that the no-self statement means that there is absolutely no True Self has, unfortunately, not penetrated very deeply into the heart of Truth.

On the other hand, those who insist that there is a soul are not completely off the mark either. That is, if they mean that there is something that is transcendent; some True Self that is present at the realization of the highest ground of being. Because I would say that there is something that “persists” (again, “something” not being a thing or a substance). And, frankly, I am hesitant in using the word “persist”, because I don’t mean some kind of immortal or separate-able self.

But, in choosing a word that resounds with my own experience, I would say that identity is present. That is, Knowing identifies Itself. Not as a thing or as a being, but perhaps as beingness. The phrases immortal and eternal are throwaways: because this realm of reality is outside the scope of time, they can be true and not true.

And by the term “identity”, I do not mean some singular tangible essence of self. But, I would say that at the deepest level of reality there is awareness and there is knowing. And in the realization, as awareness knows its awareness, identity reveals itself.

Awareness, aware, when knowing its own awareness identity manifests. Awareness, knowing, not being limited in its scope of awareness or knowing, has no limit on realizing further identification, identity is free to manifest again.

This is not even at the primacy level of the self yet (Not yet a personality or a being at this stage.); this is still at the root of being. Awareness is within (connected to) all other awareness, but all identifications are not the same ones. As awareness continues, identity grows; not becoming a bigger identity as if it were getting larger like a bigger, puffed up balloon; but grows as in branching out. Identity growing along as awareness continues on.

And although I have laid this out in terms of process so that it looks like a step-by-step affair, in actuality all of this is spontaneous and immediate and synchronous. As identity grows it becomes more complex. And in the growing awareness a greater identity manifests, which “rides” on top of the complex minute awareness/identities. Sustained, with knowing and awareness, as the “greater” identity, while the minute awareness/identities continue to proceed. Like a wave rides upon the sea, or a song rides upon the wind. This is the manifestation of the nature of the true self, the deepest basis of the foundation of personality formation.

The question of an individual something here is a mute point. Identity is not a function of separation, but possible because All–That-Is is an integral whole, never ending in its capacity of awareness realizing knowing. And, it is from this integral whole that the concepts seen as dependent origination spring. Although, in reality, the all-knowingness of Truth precludes this characterization of its nature into even this systemization.

Nevertheless, dependent origination is elemental in the spontaneous arising of personality and being that springs from the basis of identity in its most primal “form”. Enabling the unlimited growth and development of personality, in even its most basic sense, through its immediate connectedness (in the underlying oneness) with all that is.

While dependent origination speaks to the nature of self, it does not lead to the conclusion that there is no identity of Highest Self, but more poignantly to the fundamental that such an identity is not a seperable individual being. The logical reduction of dependent origination leading to some uber-field of being, whose tenant is no-self because there is a lack of separation in all-encompassing oneness, presupposes individuation rather than awareness as the primary root of identity. And, while a deep understanding of dependent origination may lead one to the realization of the most elemental nature of personality, the “no-self” that is realized is not dependent on dependent origination, but a characteristic of the very nature of True Self.

Whew!! Trying to explain this stuff in a sensible manner is really exhausting. We have just begun to scratch the surface of so many topics that are pertinent to this discussion.

Unfortunately, I do not have the energy to broach anymore of them at this point. Nevertheless, while not speaking for any one side here, I hope that I have been able to imbue clarity into the points that each side is making. And if others would wish to explore other viewpoints I would say that you are most welcome to. I make no claim to have the absolute understanding of the Highest Truth. I would only hope that the tenor of one’s remarks are tempered by experience.

Alpha

Painting has always, it seems, been integral with my practice. I would meditate and paint. There was a time in my painting work when I tried to paint from a place” that was original, completely original, with nothing there yet created.

I would paint spontaneous brush strokes with luminous colors. But always before my brush would strike the canvas, there would seem to be some idea preexisting that would immediately form before I could paint the stroke. Time after time I tried, but always some even faint idea would form before I could paint a stroke.

I would frequently take a nap before beginning to paint at that point in time. One day as I lay in my studio, just waking up from a nap, during that time when one is awakening, just regaining consciousness of the physical world, but not having yet stirred, there came a knock on my consciousness. I mean it; there was actually a kind of knocking sound in my mind. And in my mind, it was kind of like a video had started to play. In other words, it was like watching a movie that was happening to me. Like seeing a dream, but I was not dreaming, it seemed that I was awake.

But as I say, there was this knock on my consciousness and this little fell’ sort of poked into this movie that had begun and took me on a journey. We traveled up and up, until we came to this grand building. It reminded me of the Vatican in its scale and general feeling.

The little spirit took me down an isle and showed me that inside some of the display cases were “original creations”. We walked down the isle as he pointed out to me several creations that were made and that were on display there. Apparently this was a kind of museum, where things that were original creations, the first of their kind, were on display. This, for example, would have been the creation of language. Another example would be the creation that enabled physical life.

After a brief tour, my little spirit friend motioned me over to an open door in the corner. It looked something like an elevator. We got in and it went up. Then the doors opened and before me was a large circular room with a large dome or skylight sort of thing in the center.

Beneath it was a circle of figures and there was this energy of glow emanating up from the group of them. One of the figures turned to me and nodded. And, before I knew what was happening, I was amongst the group. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what was going on. Apparently, I tried to join in with the activities, but was doing so unsuccessfully. The figure that had nodded to me began to encourage me to loosen up, let it flow, etc. etc. But, I was instead like a monkey wrench in the workings of whatever ritual they were doing.

Suddenly, everyone gave up and they disbanded quickly. All of them left except for the one who had invited me to join the group. He was looking at me angrily as he began approaching me. But, before anything further happened, a giggling was heard from behind me. It was my little spirit friend.

The menacing figure stopped and asked what was going on here. The little friend” came out from his hiding place. He had apparently been playing a little joke.

He explained this and then mentioned that I was interested in learning to create. It turns out that the little spirit was an apprentice creator, and that the group that he had brought me to were Creators. These were persons that made the creations such as the ones that we had seen downstairs. And, the point of his “fun” was that I was interested in learning how to create (make things that had never been made before).

Upon learning this, the master creator brightened up and asked me if this was so. And I, of course, said that it was. Just at that point the movie playing in my mind ended. And I stretched, wondering at this strange occurrence.

Two Kan

The thing is that I would really enjoy discussing some of the topics that have been broached here: Is Buddhism in a slumber, and what are the reasons for this if any; Could the transcendent reality of the true ground of being be referred to as some ultimate essence, or does its thusness transcend reference in everyway?

However, to engage in a clear minded discussion seems impossible if the participants must continually interpret everything in terms of their monomania, continually returning to it. Poor Johnny one note, as it were.

Trolling for recruits for a Zen Cult, trying to impress us with knowledge, I would tend to think is unlikely.

Historically, obscure cult leaders have been the most successful when they fostered their group isolated from the mainstream group – not engaging with them.

Figures such as Zen Master Rama, Bhagwan, Erhard Seminar Training –all quazi Buddhist groups – carefully co-opted enough of the nomenclature of the mainstream religion to maintain viability, but never sought mainstream religion recognition.

They weren’t trying to pit themselves against mainstream religion in a rhetorical battle. They wanted to cultivate their cult far away from the scrutiny and exposure to the mainstream. Purposely seeking out combatants and engaging in debates was not their thing.

In short, there are much easier and proven ways to snag unsuspecting recruits for your “religion”. And, I would think that given the obviously intelligence and resourcefulness that they have figured this out and are out mining more suitable ground by now.

With Love

There are dogmas believed to be backed up by the canon.

Interesting propositions, upon closer scrutiny not found clearly and unambiguously laid out in the canon, nor ones that necessarily hold water.

Rather than chase around, however, on the particulars of this point. I would rather suggest that this is a mere smokescreen, a façade to balm what really ails.

You obviously seem to be quite upset about something very personally meaningful to you. It just seems rather unlikely that one would exhibit all of the vitriol and dogged determination with which you take up your struggle merely for the public restitution of some twined personal credo doused from odd corners long ago swept aside by the rush and mill of here to fore Buddhists.

No, there is something much deeper at work here that sticks in the craw.

You are not going to live forever you know. Why spend a lifetime chasing down rabbit holes when the real truth is staring you in the face.

The difficulty of facing the restructuring of the known into gnosis far exceeds the pretentiousness of world salvation, but its rewards are that much more cogent.

I would like to see something more forthcoming than this pissing in the wind that you have apparently been doing for lo these many years.

The Tenth Mystery

All times exists at once. Past, present, future and all probabilities are here at once. However, each moment is a different set of circumstances and conditions. Some may only be a little different, and some may be very different from one another.

When you enter into the slipstream of a physical life, you are choosing to participate in the circumstances and conditions (for the most part) that the other participants in that life stream are experiencing. Each moment of that life stream is an agreement amongst the group as a whole and each of the individual participants, in regards to their immediate conditions and circumstances.

In other words all of the participants agree in general to the mass set of circumstances that we are experiencing (the planets, suns and gravity and the like). And, these agreements go right down to the immediate level when I “agree” to have this immediate experience with the atoms and molecules of this keyboard and the light flowing in through the kitchen window.

The participants in our life stream are agreeing that these sets of circumstances and conditions are going to recognize as the facts of our world. And conversely, we are agreeing to not recognize the circumstances and conditions of the moments of 2102 as the facts that make up our current reality.

When you enter into the life stream, you join in agreeing with the others in that life stream that their particular sets of conditions and circumstances are going to be the agreed upon constituents of your shared reality. Thus we all have the same sunrise, (though we will all experience it differently). In effect each moment is a group of agreements, a group of these agreed upon circumstances and conditions.

The experience of time is really just the effect of the experience of shifting our attention from one set of agreements to the next set off mass agreements, which all the participants of the life stream are accepting as reality. As you shift your attention from one set of agreements to the next set, you experience the change that seems to be movement and time.

When a person is born into a life stream that is a complex organism, such as a human, the first months and years are spent in learning to orient your awareness and attention onto the same set of circumstances and conditions that the other human beings are having.

The human organism of the baby is predisposed to receive and process physical sensations due to its experience of growth within the womb. The personality learns to mold these sensations into a whole experience through repeated practice while a baby and young child.

After enough practice, the whole process becomes so effortless that we even forget that we are doing it. But, this also explains why children are able to see the things that adults cannot see. For example, the unofficial reality that is not a part of our mass-shared agreements, such as angels and fairies. This is because they have not yet locked as fully as the adults have with their attention upon only the “official” reality.

On occasion adults can step out of the habitual mind processes briefly and begin to see other unofficial realities such as other moments in time not yet happened, or that have past. However, other than the somewhat positive benefit of opening up the consciousness to new experiences and stretching the mind to new dimensions of possibility, these practices are generally, like other psychic powers, of limited interest to Buddhists.

Half the Jury Is In

This question really gets to the heart of Buddhism very quickly.

Perhaps I am making things too simplified here, but here is the skinny on this one.

Karma is tied up with dependent origination (pun intended).

When you focus on a set of circumstances, conditions, et al, then you propagate those conditions. You strengthen and reinforce them, connecting and adding to them with similar conditions and circumstances.

As all is connected (dependent origination), you are shifting your attention selecting more and more of the like circumstances into your experience.

Ben sez Oh

One early morning the priest sat down to practice meditation. He had, however, a deep emotional outburst. And in a flash, he realizes something that has been gnawing at him for sometime. He lit a stick on incense and prays:

Dear Avalokiteshvara, I am well into middle age now, and over the years I have seen my friends grow older with me. I have seen them get married, have families and raise children. They seem so very happy when I see them go through the town with their beautiful children with them.

I do not regret the path I have taken at all, I love the Dharma and my practice. But, something inside me says that I would have made a wonderful father, I wonder what it would have been like.

Just then there was a knock at the temple door. An older couple had a baby in their arms, and they claimed the priest was the father and that hr must take care of the child. The priest just said, “Is that so”.

He was delighted at his fortune. And for two years he cleaned and changed diapers, chased after the little one, begged for nurse milk with the baby in tow. His joy turned to exhaustion on many a late night, and his mediation practice became lost amongst children’s games, tears and laughter.

Then early one morning, when the baby was unusually quiet, he thought about practicing meditation, and he couldn’t remember the last time he had done so. He sat down and began. When suddenly he had an emotional outburst. He got up and lit some incense and prayed.

Dear Avalokiteshvara I realize now how foolish I have been. While I love this child, I know now that my heart truly rests with the Dharma, oh how I miss my daily practice.

Just then there was a knock at the temple door. It was the older couple again. They demanded to have their baby returned to them. The priest just said, “Is that so”, and with one last hug gave them the baby.

Interlocutionary Mental Phenomena

Recently added to the articles section of Bodhimind Institute is the paper entitled “Interlocutionary Mental Phenomena, Part I”

From the paper:

The practice of Zen meditation has much in common with the practice of science. In Zen, one observes dispassionately and without assumption. And, in this manner, what is observed is seen as it is, rather than according to a preconceived set of notions. Therefore, it is somewhat different from the religious traditions that interpret their observations in terms of a customary belief system. Over the course of several decades of Zen meditation practice, one has the time and occasion to observe many phenomena in great depth. And, it is from these observations that the material in
this paper is gleaned…


For every person, there are images, sounds and objects that easily evoke certain predictable biological responses in that person that are uniquely personal to them. For instance, wood is a material that most people are familiar with, but we do not all have the same biological response when holding a piece of old weathered plank. One person may think that the object is a piece of refuse to be discarded, another may think that this is a treasured link to nature, another may think of reminders of their childhood home.

This article addresses one of these biological phenomena that people commonly experience. This is the phenomenon of the thinking process that includes a non-auditory sensation of speaking within the head. The material that is being presented here is about how this works as it has been learned through observation, rather than from a theory of what is at work in this phenomenon.
...More

A OK

Some friends have asked me to step in here and lend a hand in trying to help to understand some of things. I am not anybody’s teacher or guru. Apparently, however, you have stumbled into an area where I happen to work, and so it was thought that I might be able to bring some of my insight and expertise to the situation.

In a way, Enlightenment is a two edged sword. While it brings knowledge, insight and wisdom, it also separates us from others. When you know the truth yourself personally, then you are not fooled by the b.s. from those who don’t truly know. In other words, you’re out there on your own. And that might mean leaving the comfort of being a dutiful, unquestioning member of your sangha. It might mean, seemingly, going against established rules and traditions and the many people who adhere to them. And, looking around you, and not finding anyone else who seems to have had your experiences, it might seem that you are all alone. I know how gratifying it can be to pick up a book and find affirmation for your experiences that someone else may also have had at some time. And, when seeking validation, it is all the more satisfying when you can find it amongst the records of your greatest heroes, such as Buddha.

I also know how unsettling an experience like this can be. I don’t think that questions of ones sanity are as much forefront in one’s mind, (probably because the experience is so very “real”), as are questions about its possible consequences. If you have heard your share of stories about self annihilation, or possibly the lose of self through absorption into some cosmic ocean of great being, or that you really don’t have any self – its all just a delusion. And yet, your experience does not tally with these stories, some confusion can ensue.

You know for a fact that your self is not lost and that there is something else “there”, not void. And, perhaps this is when you realize that you have one of two choices, either start your own new religion – a daunting task to be sure - or else, you can try to reinterpret your traditional religion in the light of your own experiences. Seemingly, you have chosen the latter.

Also, I would gather when you write: “reminds me of cockroaches who scuttle away to hide in the darkness” and “I don't belong to any sect in Buddhism because I find them all corrupt.” that you are brimming with righteous zeal. Believe me, I can understand all of your self-assuredness and desire for everyone to attain enlightenment; all of the frustration, contempt and anger that you feel.

However, the beauty of having an experience such as yours is that it enables you to see the truth that is within all of the Dharma, all the sects, within all the scriptures. It allows you to bring the dharma to life, and to have it make sense for people. To bring wisdom to the imponderable, clarity to the confusing and the conflicting, revelation to the unseen.

It furthers one greatly to reflect less on the magnitude of one’s accomplishment, and more on the experience itself. Trying to “squeeze” as many of its magnificent mysteries into your realization as you can. You can respect the sages of times past and try to understand what it was that they found in the Truth, rather than just dismissing their words because their experience does not, at least superficially, seem to agree with yours.

I find it very fruitful to really reflect on a passage that I would otherwise immediately dismiss, trying to see it from the perspective of the author (and usually seeing that, in the context of what they were writing, or in the greater overall reality that yes, I could agree with this in such a such a way). Sure, there are misinterpretations in the texts here and there. And perhaps one teacher may have more or less of an understanding than another, while some apparently none at all. Rather than pointing to their flaws, I would rather affirm what it is of the truth that they do have. Perhaps it will blossom. And believe me, I did not come to realize all of these views right away either, but only after many years of dedicated practice.

At the threshold of Truth it is sometimes surprising how many of our cherished notions we must sacrifice to gain admittance. And upon our return, how many of the ancient truths are reinvigorated with a greater meaning. So, for me, my understanding of Buddhism has continued to broaden. And, perhaps one of the most challenging yet pertinent issues for me to assimilate is that even in the context of dependent origination there is room for free will and choice. And, that even in the context of endless rebirths there is room for people to purposely choose to come to this physical plane for their own very specific reasons and lessons..

I can understand that you might not care to see things this way, and that you might prefer a more narrow interpretation of Buddhist philosophies. But for me, this has meant that people have come here intending to have just the experiences that they are having. That is, choosing to be ignorant, or to stubbornly believe in a particular view, choosing to be crassly materialistic or perhaps generous, choosing to have gifts, or to be talentless. And, that they make these particular choices for their own very personal reasons within the context of their ultimate highest good.

This has meant, consequently, that not everyone is ready for or wants enlightenment. How disappointing!! It also means that I must deeply respect and honor these people and their (to my former way of thinking, flawed) choices. Because they are working through, in the way that is best suited to them, their gifts and problems and difficulties. So that they can assimilate and learn the lessons that they need to realize. It does not, however, mean that I should just abandon them to their own negative devices, but instead offer them hope when I can, and the gift of a greater truth when I have the chance, and to the degree that it fits in with their life’s work.

I think, therefore, that it is important for us to offer people help on the terms that they can accept it in. Not demanding that they abandon the ship that they have been traveling in, to take up the path that we approve of, but which would be unknown, foreign and less certain to them. Just because we happen to say, and know, that it is the right one for us. Nor does this mean that I am an everyman, able to help all who comes along. I am sure that there are many for whom I am quite ill suited to help, I accept this and move on to where I might be better suited to work. But then, as I mentioned earlier, I am not a teacher at all.

Approaching and working with people on their terms is so much more rewarding too. It’s like being an artist who works in different media. Certainly one would not approach doing an oil painting the same way one would do a collage or a piece of computer art or a lost wax sculpture. Sometimes, some of the same principles can be ported over from one media to the next, but to get the most out of a particular media, you have to know its strengths and its weaknesses, and how to use its strengths to make that work shine. And people are much more complex, of course, than any art work. This is the kind of compassion I try to bring to people: to understand that they are going through their life’s work in the way that they need to, for their own greater development. And, to try to help them in a way that fits in with their journey.

I know that this can be quite difficult. Because sometimes you just want to say to people: “Look I know the truth, and this is how it is, and your notions are completely wrong.” But, how much more interesting it is that the Great Way can take in all of these many and divergent views and realize a whole of them. It is like the question: how can It be so empty when It is so full. To me this has turned out to be a much, much better universe and greater reality.

Well, I’ve probably bored you for long enough with my quaint little homilies. Please forgive me if I have taken for granted your ignorance on any particular subject, when instead you are quite knowledgeable on it. Lastly, let me please implore you do dip into the greater sphere again and again. And when its mysteries, its unknowability is as your body and life, then you will breath into the life of your “being” its truth and ineffable substance. And that will be more of a guide to others than any book can be. Best wishes to you as you travel your path of revelation and mystery.

Ak'bal Equinox

My practice of Zen brings me joy and calm, it does not build in me a fire with which I desire to debate others.

The Zen Way is about pointing to the Truth in a direct and powerful manner, so that there is no doubt left in the practitioner about the true nature of the highest ground of being and the deepest revelation of the true nature of the self.

This is the ideal of Zen practice, and while we may engage in friendly "Dharma battle", or in the silence of drinking tea, its purpose is in pointing to the Way. Debates over doctrines, definitions, and the declaration of thesis are almost unheard of, unless it is to dispel them for the higher knowing of truth ness.

Unfortunately, in contemporary times, our society’s nomenclature has taken up the word “Zen”, and too often it has no connection to the true ideals and thrust of its intent.

I know, and hope, that people continue to not confuse the phony hype of the me-too-ers who seek recognition and acceptability of their ideas under the marketing guise of the word “Zen”; a Trojan Horse for benighted ideals and goals.

Our good fortune is to know sense from nonsense, and truth from agenda.

Kawak

When you stop hating yourself, then you will be able to open up and learn what others and life has to teach you. We all love you and want to see the best happen for you.

But, proving you are right and others wrong is just a game to mask your insecurities.

Accepting doubt, uncertainty, and ignorance means that you are free to grow and develop, to become an unknowable; while being right and in control means that you are rigid and unable to change.

Which path do you care to follow? Being open to the truth means that you are open to that which you do not know. Look into your heart and there you will find the answers that you seek.

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Sudden Thunder

I find that the cosmologies given to us by past and present societies to be over simplified and unsophisticated, suitable more for children than mature adults. The current “scientific” paradigm is certainly one of these, with its physical matter dominant model, which is in analogy, parallel with the pre-Copernican view that the universe rotates around the earth.

Using Highest Truth as the starting point for a discussion, there is no space or time. There are no things “there.” Whatever it is exists all at once. If we ask where did it come from, this is just because we are looking at things backward, due to our physical environmental conditioning where we live in an artificial bubble of time illusion. More on this later.


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One Cuckoo

I do not currently participate in any particular linage, although I would probably be most closely associated with the Soto school of Zen. My opinions, therefore, are not to be taken as official, but merely as my own assessment.

The ideal: You enter into practice under a Zen Master. Through a series of interactions with the Master and the other students, one’s conceptions of self and reality are dispensed with until there is only the Truth. These interactions can take the form of private interviews with the Zen Master, (the student is the one being interviewed), where a series of impossible to answer questions (known as Koans) must be answered, along with the usual one upmanship with fellow students.

In this idealized system, the Zen Master is a Zen Master because he has attained enlightenment, and has received transmission from the Zen Master he studied with. In other words his Zen Master has certified his attainment. This assumes, of course that his master had himself received transmission.

The actual: Over the course of centuries, the Zen Masters have pretty much disappeared. The systems are still there; the participants are still there. I believe that transmission is still being given. After all, if someone has been in the monastery for 30 years and the abbot has taught them all they know (even if that didn’t include the deepest of enlightenment), then it is important to pass on to them what the abbot has to give in order to perpetuate the school.

Which isn’t to say that there aren’t some great teachers here and there, or some people doing really important and wonderful work. But, are they of the caliber of a full Zen Master?

Zen really came to the west in the ‘60s, through the likes of the Suzukis, Alan Watts and many notable others. A victim of its own popularity, the word Zen is applied as a marketing gimmick for instant name recognition and cachet.