20 Responses to “Robin: Moment of Zen”

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  admin on October 14, 2011

  Does anybody know zen?
  Is it part of your life? How?

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  Phoenix on October 14, 2011

  I’m a Zen Buddhist and have been for many years.

  It’s quite a ‘stripped down’ sort of Buddhism. Zen is a word which means deep meditation.

  Do you have specific questions?

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  admin on October 14, 2011

  Also what does Vietnamese Zen put its emphasis on?

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  bv on October 14, 2011

  Zen bhuddism is all the same really. Small differences just may relate to how they approach meditation etc.

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  Jack on October 14, 2011

  Zen Buddhism seems different from other sects of Buddhism, and their concept of what enlightenment is seems totally different as well. What do you think?

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  RandomStu on October 14, 2011

  Zen is distinguished from other sects of Buddhism by NOT depending on words and speech. Rather than studying Buddha’s words, Zen practitioners are only concerned with Buddha’s mind.

  Zen teaching points to our original mind, before thinking. Like a clear mirror, this mind reflects this very moment. In Zen, what you’re doing right now is most important. What’s NOT so important is holding concepts, such as “enlightenment” etc etc. “Enlightened” and “unenlightened” are empty names.

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  grace on October 14, 2011

  Would like to learn more about Buddhist traditions, specifically with the Zen practice and the World Zen Fellowship. What are the main practices and views? I have read a bit about Lineage Zen and mind-to-mind teaching, but any additional insight is appreciated.

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  LordButtersI on October 14, 2011

  Ahh, Buddhism. One of the rare breeds of religions that DON’T blow each other up over who’s the most peaceful.

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  Trevcaru on October 14, 2011

  Assuming the monk is enlightened, and someone wanted to kill that zen monk, would they go ahead and let them do so?

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  admin on October 14, 2011

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  ChrisJ on October 14, 2011

  I’m interested in Zen but don’t know where to start. It doesn’t seem like something you can learn from a book, and believe me, I’ve tried. That said, there are no Zen centers within 100 miles of where I live, and I’m starting to get frustrated and don’t know what to do next.

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  MVD34 on October 14, 2011

  Try the SF Zen Center

  http://www.sfzc.org/

  Thich Nhat Hanh
  http://www.plumvillage.org/practice.html

  And BuddhaNet

  http://www.buddhanet.net/

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  Jkaled on October 14, 2011

  Im wondering because i want all my album art and info on there along with it. Also can the zen take MPEG-4 in videos. Thanks.

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  eatithotmail on October 14, 2011

  if it is the newer flash-based model, then yes and yes.

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  joystickhappy on October 14, 2011

  i would like to make a zen garden but am just a beginer what type of sand do i need where do i find the rocks where can i buy a special rake please tell me.

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  feyanni on October 14, 2011

  http://www.doityourself.com/stry/zengardenelements

  This is a miniature zen garden, but will give you some ideas:
  http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/ic_planters_pots_boxes/article/0,2029,DIY_13967_2273547,00.html

  http://www.homestyleexpert.co.uk/CreatingAZenGarden.html

  This one is more of a rock garden, but is Zen in its nature:
  http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/gr_lawns_landscaping/article/0,2029,DIY_13852_4500648,00.html

  My suggestion is to pick up a book on Oriental gardens from a local garden center. It will help you out in creating your design.

  Rock, sand or other materials can be purchased from garden centers, lumber yards, brick companies, discount stores and hardware stores. The rake you need is a normal garden rake, but there are special ones available as well, those are to be found in garden centers, lumber yards, hardware stores or even in discount stores.

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  collectorX on October 14, 2011

  How do I do zen meditation by myself in my home?
  I used to do it in a zen center, but I can’t really afford to drive back and forth to a zen center. Can I just sit zazen on my couch or what? I have a Buddha and incense, should I make an alter or what?

  If you are going to say something involving how I should go to jesus or something, please just don’t answer.

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  P'ang on October 14, 2011

  You can certainly practice by yourself in your home. That’s what most practitioners do – I’ve done daily practice of Zen in just this way for 20 years.

  Of course, occasionally it’s good to visit your local Zen center to have an interview with a teacher or to participate in a retreat. These experiences will deepen your practice in important ways. But your daily practice doesn’t require this.

  All you need for daily practice is a place to sit. Since your home probably has a floor, you can sit on the floor. Just find a stable cushion to sit on and you’re good to go. Once you’re sitting, just follow your breath or perform any other mind practice that you’ve been taught.

  I like to sit in front of a small altar, although this is not required. Your altar can contain things that inspire you – a Buddha statue, incense, flowers, beautiful stones or seeds – and that support your efforts.

  For home practice, it’s good to practice in the same place every day – a place free of clutter and distraction (although most distraction comes from our mind!).

  And it’s good to sit at the same time every day, for the same amount of time. For example, I always get up at 6 a.m. and am on the cushion by 6:15 a.m. I sit for 25 minutes every day. After sitting I like to read a short excerpt from a book – it inspires my efforts. “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” and “Dropping Ashes on the Buddha” are good for this – short chapters, and to the point.

  Feel welcome to contact me if you have further questions.

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  Rosered on October 14, 2011

  I just wanted to know how to make a Zen Micro photo play out loud with out headphones. Something to play it out loud .

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  ¿Maddish? on October 14, 2011

  You could get speakers.

  This is the one I have:
  http://www.amazon.com/Creative-TravelDock-Speakers-Zen-Micro/dp/B0009OOBV6

  They’re easy to transport, and when you use the wall plug it even charges your mp3 player.