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Not sure where Zen fits into this, but I'll look at it more carefully. In my city there are both Zen and Thai temples. I'd like to visit the one more oriented to social justice work, and more open to participation by women. Which do you think that would be. And what is your opinion of the different sects?
Not sure where Zen fits into this, but I'll look at it more carefully. In my city there are both Zen and Thai temples. I'd like to visit the one more oriented to social justice work, and more open to participation by women. Which do you think that would be. And what is your opinion of the different sects?
Not sure where Zen fits into this, but I'll look at it more carefully. In my city there are both Zen and Thai temples. I'd like to visit the one more oriented to social justice work, and more open to participation by women. Which do you think that would be. And what is your opinion of the different sects?
Just a brief aside, the Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia is often called Vajrayana and considered a separate branch of Buddhism (sometimes). On the other hand, it also is often included as one of the many schools of Mahayana Buddhism. IMO it makes not much difference, but I thought I would mention it in case you come across it subsumed under Mahayana.
I am an American male of European ancestry for starters. I began practicing and attending centers when I lived in NYC. Most of my experience was in NYC, but some in Boston as well. (The remaining twenty years has been in Europe and is irrelevant to what follows.)
I would suggest that a "division" in Buddhism which might be more important to you than the traditional historical divisions above is going to be whether the center or temple draws the bulk of its membership/attendance from persons who identify strongly with an Asian ethnic heritage versus one whose members may be mostly persons who do not do so and/or are of European heritage.
In my experience of almost twenty-some years in the U.S. this cuts far deeper than the traditional threefold division above. I hope the statement which follows does not cause offense, but here goes: A Theravadan Buddhist center with a Thai membership (even if it is in Boston) is in a sense already something....it is more than a thousand years of Buddhist teaching thoroughly intertwined with Thai culture; Buddhism in the United States is at the beginning of such a process, it is in the process of becoming an entity within the American culture.
How, or if, Buddhists of Thai heritage will readapt to the American environment is one question/process. How Americans of non-Asian ethnic backgrounds will adapt or work (whatever school) of Buddhism into U.S. culture is, I believe, going to be considerably different. It would seem - given what you have said above - that an ethnically-oriented center would not be the best place for you to begin.
I would suggest that a "division" in Buddhism which might be more important to you than the traditional historical divisions above is going to be whether the center or temple draws the bulk of its membership/attendance from persons who identify strongly with an Asian ethnic heritage versus one whose members may be mostly persons who do not do so and/or are of European heritage.
In my experience of almost twenty-some years in the U.S. this cuts far deeper than the traditional threefold division above. I hope the statement which follows does not cause offense, but here goes: A Theravadan Buddhist center with a Thai membership (even if it is in Boston) is in a sense already something....it is more than a thousand years of Buddhist teaching thoroughly intertwined with Thai culture; Buddhism in the United States is at the beginning of such a process, it is in the process of becoming an entity within the American culture.
How, or if, Buddhists of Thai heritage will readapt to the American environment is one question/process. How Americans of non-Asian ethnic backgrounds will adapt or work (whatever school) of Buddhism into U.S. culture is, I believe, going to be considerably different. It would seem - given what you have said above - that an ethnically-oriented center would not be the best place for you to begin.
Very interesting insights.
The Thai Theravada temples I've visited here in the States are significantly different than those I spent time in in Thailand. For example, in Thailand I see the temples as focusing much more on the individual path. It was rare for me to go to a temple and see any kind of true group religious activity (other than funerals). Even at one temple I visited almost daily, where I would usually find a couple of dozen Buddhists meditating (or praying), it was all being done individually, just in one big room. In Virginia and in Colorado, it was much more like a Sunday service. I think that's because as a minority group, the temple takes on even more of a cultural home.
I've practiced Zen for over 3 decades in many different Zen centers in mainland America and Hawaii (although the REAL Zen practice is when we are out of the center and fully engaged in the world off the cushion). That Thai Temple practice would be vastly different then Zen. I would expect it to be much more devotional, and w/o the Zen emphasis on waking up.
To me, that is the hallmark of Zen practice. No dogmas, a teaching (or non teaching) outside of the Buddhist Scriptures, and the goal being enlightenment, which lasts as long as it lasts, as all things are impermanent. There is actually very little about Zen that would be considered Buddhism. Its stripped down to the bone, and the main practices are sitting, walking or chanting meditation, w/ a smattering of maybe some readings from Dogen, depending on the teacher.
It isn't for everyone. Its very disciplined, groups tend to be small, and its a moment to moment lifetime practice. Most forms of Buddhism are "other power", while Zen is "self power".....meaning that other self. Not the one that usually runs us, but our true self.
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