what does that zen koan mean to you?
121255
"When" is not a question- rather an assertation of the eventuality of all things.  As all things are in constant change; eventually, all things become all things.  There is no "if", only "when".\n\nFurther, "now", is the essence of this very moment.  Just as an object can either be precisely measured in space or velocity- but not both- so is the everchanging world around us measurable only in the moment.  "Now" is synonymous, therefore, with "what".\n\nSince all things in their eventuality are the same, and yet immeasurable when removed from their essence, and all things measured are themselves momentary, so too are all things when, all things if, all things now, and all things what.  The world defies our attempts to measure it, and escapes our understanding as soon as we require it.
58457
I think that yin/yang refers to the fact that everything balances off.  Naturally, everything is balance.  With pleasure comes pain, with happiness comes sadness.  Good balances with evil.  If you think about it, you can probably think of a dozen times where something good happened, and something bad happen right afterwards.
398071
makes sense in a zen sort of way........ but why MUST we understand or explain God?
631145
Well, everything has its yin and yang side, and many believe this symbol represents balance, peace or harmony. Others believe that it means there is a little bad in the good, and a little good in the bad (which would mean there is no absolute good or evil). \n\nhttp://cana.userworld.com/cana_yinyang.html\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_yang
11662
i like the first answer. It sounds like they are commenting on how we are trained to hear religious dontorine and how people see it as this magic that will cure our lives in an instant,like a spell. Maybe what they are saying is that we need to break free from this pavlovian response to life and to view reality in the moment. that's my understanding. It's very poectic. Thank for the good question!
446682
Le taï-chi-chuan peut te permettre: \n- de mieux controler sa respiration\n- relaxation\n- controle de soi\n- pour certain : se soigner ( courbature )\n\nPour moi helas beaucoup de fou rire car j'etais en compagnie de copain et on n'a pas pu etre serieux pendant l'heure et demi qu'avait dure le cours.
575102
The image Buddha represent wisdom and compassion..\nself-awareness and self-understanding gain from meditation/samadhi..\nThe Enlightened One..\nthose who see the image isn't to worship but to have faith that every human can progress, practice renunciation and loving-kindness, overcome ignorance,greed,fear,hatred and become Buddha eventually...\n\nwell i never seen Zaidiyyah Islam's image .. could you give links ?
23557
I have been to several.  They are all different, but still invoke similar feelings.  Plan to spend some time there, don't just run through looking at the plants.  Sit on the benches, dwell on the bridges, watch the koi fish, relax.\nBring a camera if you want.  I usually do but soon forget that I have it.  The focus of the gardens is the observer, not the exhibits.  And you do not have to be a Zen Master to appreciate this.\nHave a great time.
148061
I am a Soka Gakkai International Lotus Sutra buddhist. We believe that everyone can achieve enlightenment and make no distinction between men and women, rich or poor, young or old, class, race or whatever. \n\nThe founder of my path was Nichiren, a 13th-century Japanese fisherman-monk who thought Buddhism should be democratic and not just belong to the rich, the aristocratic or the priests. Everyone can achieve enlightenment, here in this world, and the best thing is you don't have to live multiple lives to erase bad karma and become happy, you can do so now if you take responsibility for your actions! In order to achieve this we chant "nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo", meaning the spiritual and the material work together for the development of the human soul, symbolized by the lotusflower that starts in the dark and mud and then grows towards the light to open as a beautiful flower. Lotus Sutra Buddhism is said to summarize the whole of Buddhist teachings in one path, and Nichiren summarized Lotus Sutra buddhism in the single mantra mentioned above. SGI is a lay movement that believes World Peace can be achieved through culture and education of the Buddhist values of the Soka Gakkai. (Soka Gakkai means: creating value). The lay movement has no temples but we regularly meet at people's homes, share the amazing experiences we have, eat, drink, dance, sing and celebrate! We chant everyday for as long as we like, and we believe that earthly desires fuel our journey towards enlightenment. (for instance, I might want to have a car. So I get a job and work for one, and on the way I realize I work with others and I learn from them, and after that I may realize that four people can fit into a car and we can travel together! And it can be used for something good like taking a sick old lady to the hospital). And after the car I may want something else, and achieve that, too. And so I develop on to become a kinder, greater-hearted human being.)\n\nIn order to keep the intentions of our movement pure and because of some unhappy experiences in the past, SGI-members do not trade amongst each other. Money is something that should be carefully separated from religious practice.  \n\nI don't feel my life is restricted because of my beliefs. Rather, my vision widens because I learn to understand that my life is connected to that of everyone on this planet and to all life, and in this I have a place and a responsibility to develop with courage, wisdom and compassion, to become a fully human being.   \n\nI believe because I know that everyone on this planet is related. Since material circumstances do not show what I believe, I believe that Love is what binds us all as the human race and other inhabitants of this earth (animals as well). Faith is the all-encompassing instrument, field and tool to demonstrate this.\n\nOur philosophy is not opposed to homosexuality. We look at the soul's journey, and whatever state or situation people are in says something about where they are in their development. Since everyone has the enlightenment potential, we respect the soul's individual path. The ultimate goal for everyone is to become happy. We chant to remember and realize this, while working. So: chanting and undertaking action!\n\nNichiren buddhism contains a very important tale: a nine-year old girl approached the Buddha with a small gift for which he granted her immediate enlightenment. She told all the old wise Indian male scholars and disciples who were sitting around him: "Watch me achieve immediate enlightenment" and changed appearance before their eyes. The Buddha did this to teach them humility, for as you know, women were not considered very worthy by men in India in those times (and still are not, in many places).\n\nSince I've grown up in profoundly multi-religious and multi-cultural societies, I see no deep differences among the religions in this world. Just differences according to place, time and culture. \n
348601
A philosopher asked Buddha: `Without words, without the wordless, will you you tell me truth?'\n\n    The Buddha kept silence.\n\n    The philosopher bowed and thanked the Buddha, saying: `With your loving kindness I have cleared away my delusions and entered the true path.'\n\n    After the philosopher had gone, Ananda asked the Buddha what he had attained.\n\n    The Buddha replied, `A good horse runs even at the shadow of the whip.' \n\nMumon's Comment: Ananda was the disciple of the Buddha. Even so, his opinion did not surpass that of outsiders. I want to ask you monks: How much difference is there between disciples and outsiders?\n\n    To tread the sharp edge of a sword\n    To run on smooth-frozen ice,\n    One needs no footsteps to follow.\n    Walk over the cliffs with hands free.
294149
Its about the Gift of life\n\n            The dictionary says that gift is “something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation.” It also says “a notable capacity.” Zen teachers suggest that the miracle isn’t to be able to walk on air or water. Rather, the miracle is to simply walk on the earth. How often we overlook what is directly underfoot by trying to see what is out of view and considered by some to be higher or greater! Our everyday situation is the gift we are given. Are we able to hold it gently, thankfully, and peacefully? Even if our everyday situation doesn’t look like what we think it should look like?
118563
When a person reaches their nirvana, they have acheived a high level of inner peace, a personal heaven.  When one has reached that state, he is often aware of the eternity of Life (or, at least, the probability or possibility of it).  \n\nWhy does one commit suicide when he reaches his nirvana?  There may be two reasons:  (1)  The person has reached a high level of consciousness and believes he can do no harm (to himself) by leaving this body - and, perhaps, feels he must "go beyond" to learn more; (2)  The person has reached a false state of nirvana and, during a brief "high" (peaceful state), he decides to "go beyond" thinking it is even more peaceful (and longer lasting).\n\nIn the case of #1 above, the question arises "When does one 'know' he has reached the True state of Nirvana - that is, the highest level of heaven or personal peace.  For that reason, I believe, he feels he must go on to know.
583884
1. Strictly speaking, for a human being there is no other practice than this practice. There is no other way of life than this way of life. Zen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Shunryu Suzuki-roshi (1905-71) \n\n2. The formless body of complete illumination of the nature of awareness; Don't use knowledge and views, misconstruing far and near. If thoughts vary, you're blind to the profound essence; If the mind differs, you're not close to the path. When feelings discriminate myriad things, they submerge the present situation; When consciousness perceives many aspects, you lose the original reality. If you can understand clearly from such sayings, Clearly you're the man of before, without any concern. Sozan Honjaku [Ts'ao-shan Pen-chi] (840-901) \n\n3. Just avoid seeking from others, Or you will be far estranged from yourself. I now go on alone; I meet Him everywhere - He is now just I, but I now am not He: One must understand in this way In order to unite with thusness. Tozan Ryokai [Tung-shan Liang-chieh] (807-869) \n\n4. Fellow learners! To achieve Buddhahood there is no need for cultivation. Just carry on an ordinary task without any attachments. Release your bowels and water, wear your clothes, eat your meals. When you are tired, lie down. The fool will laugh at you, but the wise man will understand. Rinzai [Lin-chi I-hsuan] (?-866)\n\n5. In the universe there is not a spot of land as small as a mustard seed where I have not sacrificed my life or have not buried my bones. Sakyamuni Buddha (c. 563-483 B.C.) \n\n6. Even when then bamboos are growing thick, they do not obstruct the running stream. \n\n7. The Perfect Way knows no difficulties Except that it refuses to make preferences; Only when freed from hate and love, It reveals itself fully and without disguise; A tenth of an inch's difference, And heaven and earth are set apart; If you wish to see it before your own eyes, Have no fixed thoughts either for or against it. \n\n8.  I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey ... I asked for health, that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things ... I asked for riches, that I might be happy, I was given poverty, that I might be wise ... I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God ... I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things ... I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed - Anonymous\n\n9. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38-39)\n\n10. If you judge people, you have no time to love them - Mother Teresa \n\n11. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. Mahatma Gandhi \n\n12. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Hellen Keller \n\n13.  My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher. Socrates\n\n14. Impossible is a word only to be found in the dictionary of fools. Napoleon Bonaparte\n\n15. That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. \nNeil Armstrong \n\n16. History is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man. Percy Bysshe Shelley\n\n17. Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours. Yogi Berra\n\n18.  A gentleman is one who never strikes a woman without provocation. H L Mencken \n\n19. Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will. Jawaharlal Nehru\n\n20. I
99188
Alan Watts wrote that to define oneself by a particular religion is to commit spiritual suicide.  Getting locked into a faith as defined by others who say you must believe such and such does very little to expand one's spirit.\n\nI believe that reading and exploring and gaining an understanding of what others believe is beneficial in beginning to find our own spiritual center.  You are doing a good job of questioning.  Don't ever stop.  I am 56 and I am still sorting through my beliefs and have come to the conclusion that I will probably do so until the day I die.  Spirituality is a very personal journey.\n\nIf I was pushed to identify myself by religion/belief I would have to say Taoist however, I feel that once I label myself that I limit my growth.  Once one uses that label Christian, then one limits one's spiritual exploration to christian texts, the same with muslim, buddhist or the striped sock gang.  By remaining open to all ideas I think we have a greater chance of working together on this planet and possibly resolving our differences once and for all
372814
what does it feel like to you?----- Inner and outer love\nWhat does it make you think about?-----Nothingness\nWhat consists a spiritual/religious experience to you?---- Meditation
152184
A Buddha is a person who has developed all positive qualities and has eliminated all negative qualities. A Buddha has been an "ordinary" living being, like you and me before he became enlightened or awakened. Enlightenment is compared to waking up, as a person makes a complete transformation in body and especially mind. A Buddha is said to be all-knowing. One could say that a Buddha represents the very peak of evolution. A Buddha is not omnipotent or all-powerful; otherwise the Buddha would have ended all suffering in the universe....\nHe did not claim that he was a god, the child of a god or even the messenger from a god.\nWhen we bow, we express our gratitude to the Buddha for what his teachings have given us. This is the nature of Buddhist worship.\n\n***When someone worships a god, they praise him or her, making offerings and ask for favours, believing that the god will hear their praise, receive their offerings and answer their prayers. Buddhists do not indulge in this kind of worship.\n\nSimply speaking, this is to avoid harming others and to help them as much as possible. Another way of expressing this is, Abandon negative action; create perfect virtue; subdue your own mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha. By abandoning negative actions (killing, etc.) and destructive motivations (anger, attachment, close-mindedness, etc.), we stop harming ourselves and others. By creating perfect virtue, we develop beneficial attitudes, like impartial love and compassion, and do actions motivated by these thoughts. By subduing our mind, we cut away all false projections, thus making ourselves calm and peaceful by understanding reality.\n\nThe essence of Buddha’s teachings is also contained in the three principles of the path: definite emergence, the dedicated heart and wisdom realizing emptiness. Initially, we seek definitely to emerge from the confusion of our problems and their causes. Then, we see that other people also have problems, and with love and compassion, we dedicate our heart to becoming a Buddha so that we are capable of helping others extensively. In order to do this, we develop the wisdom understanding the real nature of ourselves and other phenomena.
278220
It may mean that life is short(vacation) and you've lived your life missing out on the really good thing(Ocean=God) and no matter how much your AROUND the Ocean(God), you're not jumping in(giving yourself to Him) and you feel as though you've missed out. This is my take, anyways. I hope this helps you in life.