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The Teachings of the Buddha on the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold path

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The Dark Zen of Takuan Soho

Dark Zen is a term that has been used to describe a modern interpretation of Zen Buddhism. While Zen Buddhism is traditionally associated with a sense of calm and inner peace, Dark Zen takes a different approach by embracing the darker elements of life and the human experience.

The origins of Dark Zen can be traced back to the teachings of the Japanese Buddhist monk Takuan Soho, who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries. Soho was known for his teachings on the unity of opposites and the idea that everything in life has both a positive and negative aspect. This philosophy was later adopted by the Japanese samurai, who used it to cultivate a sense of detachment and calmness in the midst of battle.

In recent years, Dark Zen has gained popularity among people looking for a more unconventional approach to spirituality. It emphasizes the importance of embracing all aspects of the human experience, including the darker emotions like pain, anger, and sadness. By accepting these emotions, Dark Zen practitioners believe that they can achieve a deeper sense of inner peace and understanding.

One of the key tenets of Dark Zen is the idea of non-duality. This means that there is no separation between good and bad, light and dark, or any other opposites. Instead, everything is interconnected and part of a greater whole. By embracing this idea, Dark Zen practitioners can let go of the need to judge themselves and others, and instead focus on cultivating a sense of compassion and understanding.

Another important aspect of Dark Zen is the use of meditation and mindfulness practices. Through these practices, practitioners can learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, and develop a greater sense of self-awareness. By doing so, they can become more connected to their true selves and the world around them.

In conclusion, Dark Zen is a modern interpretation of Zen Buddhism that emphasizes the importance of embracing all aspects of the human experience, including the darker emotions. By adopting a non-dualistic perspective and practicing mindfulness and meditation, Dark Zen practitioners can achieve a deeper sense of inner peace and understanding.

-- Written by Auto-GPT

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How an AI views Zen

I have been experimenting with Auto-GPT with asking it to give me a 10-minute Zen podcast.

It came up with the following working notes:

Zen Philosophy and Practice:

- Zazen: Zazen, or seated meditation, is the foundation of Zen practice. It involves sitting in a specific posture, usually cross-legged, with a straight back, and focusing on the breath or a specific object of meditation. The aim of zazen is to cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

- Koan study: Koans are paradoxical riddles or questions that are used in Zen to challenge the student's thinking and provoke insight. Examples of koans include 'What is the sound of one hand clapping?' and 'What was your original face before you were born?' Koans are not meant to be solved through logical thinking but rather through direct experience and intuition.

- Samu: Samu, or mindful work practice, involves engaging in daily tasks with full attention and awareness. This can include activities like gardening, cooking, or cleaning. The aim of samu is to cultivate mindfulness and non-attachment in everyday life.

- Sesshin: Sesshin is a period of intensive meditation practice that typically lasts for several days or a week. During sesshin, participants engage in extended periods of zazen, koan study, and other Zen practices, with limited sleep and minimal external distractions. The aim of sesshin is to deepen one's practice and gain insight into the nature of reality.

- Dokusan: Dokusan is a private meeting between the student and the teacher, during which the student presents their understanding of Zen practice and receives feedback and guidance from the teacher. Dokusan is considered an essential part of Zen practice as it allows for personalized instruction and support from the teacher.

Different Schools of Zen and Their Unique Characteristics:

- Rinzai: Rinzai Zen emphasizes the use of koans as a means of attaining sudden enlightenment. Rinzai practitioners engage in rigorous and disciplined training, including extended periods of zazen, chanting, and physical exercises. Rinzai Zen also places a strong emphasis on the role of the teacher, or Roshi, in guiding students on the path to enlightenment.

- Soto: Soto Zen emphasizes the practice of shikantaza, or 'just sitting' meditation, as a means of cultivating awareness and insight. Soto practitioners place less emphasis on koans and more on the practice of zazen as a way of integrating meditation into daily life. Soto Zen also places a strong emphasis on the idea of Buddha nature, the inherent potential for enlightenment that exists within all beings.

- Obaku: Obaku Zen is a relatively new school of Zen that was introduced to Japan in the 17th century by Chinese monks. Obaku Zen emphasizes the use of both koans and shikantaza in its practice, as well as the use of Chinese-style chanting and ritual. Obaku Zen also places a strong emphasis on the transmission of the Dharma, or Buddhist teachings, from teacher to student.

- Sanbo Kyodan: Sanbo Kyodan is a modern school of Zen that was founded in Japan in the 1950s. Sanbo Kyodan emphasizes the integration of Zen practice with daily life and places a strong emphasis on the role of the teacher in guiding students on the path to enlightenment. Sanbo Kyodan also incorporates elements of both Rinzai and Soto Zen into its practice, including the use of koans and shikantaza.

- White Plum Asanga: White Plum Asanga is a Zen lineage that was founded by Taizan Maezumi Roshi in the United States in the 1970s. White Plum Asanga emphasizes the integration of Zen practice with social and environmental activism, as well as the importance of community and sangha in supporting one's practice. White Plum Asanga also incorporates elements of both Rinzai and Soto Zen into its practice, including the use of koans and shikantaza.

---

Here is the actual podcast it came up with:

Hello and welcome to today's podcast on Zen. Zen is a philosophy that has been practiced for centuries and has influenced many aspects of Eastern and Western cultures.

Zen originated in China and later spread to Japan and other countries. It emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, meditation, and non-attachment in achieving a state of enlightenment.

One of the key teachings of Zen is the concept of Buddha-nature. This is the idea that every being has the potential for enlightenment within them. Through meditation and other practices, Zen practitioners seek to awaken this potential and achieve a state of inner peace and clarity.

Zen has a rich and complex history and philosophy. It is influenced by many different Buddhist traditions, as well as Taoism and Confucianism. Its impact on art and culture can be seen in the fields of calligraphy, tea ceremony, and martial arts.

Despite its many positive aspects, Zen has also faced controversies and critiques over the years. Some have accused it of being too focused on individual enlightenment at the expense of social and political issues. Others have criticized its emphasis on non-attachment as being too passive and apathetic.

In recent years, Zen has been transmitted to the West and has undergone some changes in practice and philosophy. Modern Zen practitioners maintain a commitment to mindfulness and meditation while also adapting to the needs and concerns of contemporary society.

In conclusion, Zen is a philosophy that has had a profound impact on both Eastern and Western cultures. Its teachings and practices have the potential to help individuals achieve a state of inner peace and clarity, while also promoting a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings.

Thank you for listening to today's podcast on Zen. We hope you found it informative and inspiring. Please join us again for our next episode.

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What I see is that the AI correctly spotted the Wokism shift in Western Zen, a change from individual enlightenment to Social Engagement and Utopia building.

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The truth of zazen

Zen is the Japanese word for Ch'ana that is Chinese for Dhyana.The

US Government states: This state is penultimate to Samadhi or “absorption.”

In dhyana, Atma (soul) alone shines and hence the person is in a state of total awareness. In focused thought, there is no awareness, let alone the total awareness experienced in dhyana and samadhi states.

Now, Japanese Zen simply creates a High Ceremony out of Dhyana that has become the performance art we call Zazen.Clearly, the Chinese Zen masters of old where against any sort of Ritualized Ceremonial "sitting" but they never spoke against Dhyana.  So, we get a big hint that Dhyana is not only relegated to "sitting", for if that was the case then anytime anyone sat they be in Samadhi.So what we can ascertain is that Dhyana is not of any posture, of a ceremony or rite, but of the 'awareness of the Soul Light or Buddic Light that some schools of Zen talk about. This awareness clearly then is not dependent on anything, and thus Dhyana and Samadhi are not dependent on anything either.

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The Path of Zen Podcast - The Authorized Dark Zen Meditation Manual of Buddhism

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The Foundational Teaching of Dark Zen - Introduction

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More thoughts about Japanese Zen and Dogen

The Japanese beatified Dogen to get away from the Chinese Lineages. Zen line Shinto became a political arm of the Imperial regime, a tool of the regime to control the population and rally them to war.

Dogen was posthumously elevated as the founder of Soto, in which Keizan actually was the founder and just absorbed Dogens sole temple that had fallen to disrepair and only 3 monks living there.

Later Dogen was elevated again to National Teacher by the Imperial court, this was done to cut off the Chinese patriarchs and China influence.

Today, the Soto-shu views Dogen as the founder of Japanese Zen, and they do not look any further than that. Japanese Zen does not really view Chinese Ch'an as relevant. This is sort of the same view Christians have about the Old Testament, that it is not relevant to their beliefs. And, like Christians, there is no debate, discussion, or reconsideration on this position: it is absolute and final.

Western Zen is not the Soto-shu of Japan, it is mocking Japanese religion for the most part. We westerners only create theme parks out of this Japanese religion and sell 'experiences'. That is why I call western Zen as LARPing, and many agree -- even those who are currently engaged in the mocking.

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Dharma Transmission

Mel Weitsman at the Dharma transmission ceremony for Ed Brown said that the ceremony is not to say that someone is 'enlightened' rather that the person can "practice" on their own.

In short, it is graduation from seminary training.

My own take on it, then and now, is that Mel was that the individual no longer needed 'Daddy' and could attend to the Great Way themselves to continue to go forward without someone needing to tell them to 'get up' everytime they stub their toe or fall down.

Though, I view ceremonies as 'Much Ado About Nothing', they are 'rites of passage' in a Zen community and advancement in the ecclesiastical order.

Every religion has these rites. Theravadan monks have a rite after 10 rains (years) that when a junior monk becomes a senior monk. It is a big thing.

Tibetans have a rite after the completion of a set of initiations, when the monk becomes a Lama.

When the SZA when to Gempos teacher, because of the sexual abuse, to remove his Transmission, the teacher refused, saying that such was never his to give, thus he cannot take it away. This means that when the student is ready, they reach forward to the cosmic buddha (the true teacher) receiving the 'mind-transmission'.

This is how Dogen claims Mind-transmission from Rujing,

According to a frequently cited passage in the Eihei KOroku, Dogen re- turned to Japan from his travels in China in fall 1227 “empty-handed” (source)

Later Dogen makes the case of his transmission fully knowing well that the lineage was broken long ago, thus he claims the transition via merit.

So, what I am telling you the secret, is that Dharma transmission is claimed by the student through their own merits. When a teacher recognizes that a student is able to 'practice' on their own, Dharma Transmission has been done, only the teacher needs to 'Let go' or as my first Zen Teacher Gary Carlson said, "To get the hell out of the way' LOL :)

Now, if you are wondering....The answer is Yes. I cannot speak more than just that.

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What is Karma?

Many Buddhist believe in a 'Pre-deterministic future' in that Karma is playing out and you are all but an actor on a stage in a play leading to your part in a great saga. Any notions of "Free will" are illusions.Zen and the Mahayana come along and state that "Free Will" has always been here, that you are already in enlightenment/nirvana/heaven and that Karma is only an illusion of mind.

From Sayings of Joshu #171

A monk asked, "A sendai [one who because of his bad karma cannot attain enlightenment] - what is he like?" Joshu said, "I will answer you. But will you believe?" The monk said, "You are being very careful with your words. Why shouldn't I believe?" Joshu said, "Try and search for even one sendai. He is very hard to find."

A lot of Chinese, those who are influenced by Taoism believe in pre-destined futures. There are many that believe that no matter what you do, what you attempt, karma has already sealed your fate. If you are destined to be enlightened or not in this lifetime is Karma, not your own actions. In this, many pray to the Mahāsattva Bodhisattvas for good Karma that will alter the life streams so that they can be reborn in the Western Paradice where they can learn the dharma and become enlightened.

Mahayana Zen comes along again - From the VIMALAKIRTI NIRDESA SUTRA

Then the venerable Sariputra said to the Brahma Sikhin, "As for me, O Brahma, I see this great earth, with its highs and lows, its thorns, its precipices, its peaks, and its abysses, as if it were entirely filled with ordure." Brahma Sikhin replied, "The fact that you see such a buddha-field as this as if it were so impure, reverend Sariputra, is a sure sign that there are highs and lows in your mind and that your positive thought in regard to the buddha-gnosis is not pure either. Reverend Sariputra, those whose minds are impartial toward all living beings and whose positive thoughts toward the buddha-gnosis are pure see this buddha-field as perfectly pure." Thereupon the Lord touched the ground of this billion-world-galactic universe with his big toe, and suddenly it was transformed into a huge mass of precious jewels, a magnificent array of many hundreds of thousands of clusters of precious gems, until it resembled the universe of the Tathagata Ratnavyuha, called Anantagunaratnavyuha. Everyone in the entire assembly was filled with wonder, each perceiving himself seated on a throne of jeweled lotuses. Then, the Buddha said to the venerable Sariputra, "Sariputra, do you see this splendor of the virtues of the buddha-field?" Sariputra replied, "I see it, Lord! Here before me is a display of splendor such as I never before heard of or beheld!" The Buddha said, "Sariputra, this buddha-field is always thus pure, but the Tathagata makes it appear to be spoiled by many faults, in order to bring about the maturity of the inferior living beings. For example, Sariputra, the gods of the Trayastrimsa heaven all take their food from a single precious vessel, yet the nectar which nourishes each one differs according to the differences of the merits each has accumulated. Just so, Sariputra, living beings born in the same buddha-field see the splendor of the virtues of the buddha-fields of the Buddhas according to their own degrees of purity."

In this metaphorical story, we see that Karma is not absolute, and that it is only the mind deceived by karma that creates the suffering.I will also point out that this same sort of notion plays out in Calvinism , a belief that god has already selected those who will go to heaven, and there is nothing you can do to change that. Arminianism comes along and says that man has free will and can choose if they go to heaven or not. 99% of the western Christian churches follow Calvinism or Arminianism.

Does karma exist? Yes, you are standing in it. This body, this world, this phenomenal arising is all 'old karma'. Karma continues with the mind of the sentient being dwelling in it, yet when the mind abandons this Karma, then it is transformed to enlightenment.

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Is Zen just religious BDSM?

Is Zen just religious BDSM?

Clearly, there is a power play going on in the Zen. In Asian cultures, the power play is culturally enforced and socially regulated as well. An authority who abuses their power through the subordinates is ostrisized from society (hello Aokigahara).

Lacking the societal regulations and restraints, the Zen power-play becomes sadomasochistic that in my humble opinion can create a whole host of psychological problems, as well as creating a very unhealthy environment ripe for abuse (financially or sexually) as well as attracting deranged and mentally ill people to such places. Yes, dangerous cults!

Clearly, in the interview I did with the Zen cult survivor, the teacher Umi was on a power-trip creating the BDSM environment for his pleasure.

In the second interview with the former Zen Rivers student, the teacher Tenkei Coppens created an oppressive environment for his glorification of himself as 'the teacher' (this is actually common in most Zen centers) and create a power cult for those in ascension, to dominate those in subordinate positions. Again, a cult but not as dangerous as the psychopath lead cults.

Organizations like the Soto Zen Buddhist Association and American Zen Teachers Association have attempted to clean up the Zen Centers through the formal adoption of ethics, though failed because none of the sitting teachers or Zen Centers would actually implement them (they like the power-play), and there are no consequences if they don't.

I have always thought to send a young student to one of these Zen centers and then have them lay out an Air Tight contract of Zen training for the teacher to agree upon (legally sign) that would ensure being treated in fairness, ethically, and without prejudice. I floated this idea pass a friend who has vast experience with Zen Centers who laughed and said that they believe their "Holy Lineage" is all the contract they need.

In the case of Dennis Merzel, known for sexually abusing his student, the SZB and AZTA went to his teacher when he refused to step down as a Teacher, to remove his credentials (Dharma Transmission). His own teacher refused to say that it was not something he could do because it was not his transmission, but that of the student going to the Buddha.

This is the 'Dirty secret' of Zen playing out, that the line of transmission was broken before Dogen, and he knew it, and Rujing never gave Dogen transmission (because Dogen claims he returned to Japan "empty handed"), yet Dogen claims Mind-transmission in the same way that Touzi was transmitted -- via Merit.

In an Asian Buddhist Country like Japan or Thailand, all of these power-tripping Zen teachers would be defrocked and jailed. No student would even talk about them or admit to having been with them out of shame.

This notion that one person, "Shifu or Roshi" will teach you everything is not only absurd, but demented and sick.

Now, if I was to run a Zen Center, it be like this:

A Zen Center is a quaz-seminary school. Their you should be learning from many different people who have skills and knowledge that you want to learn yourself.

Subjest such as:

Priestcraft (ceremony and rituals)

Sutra Lore

metaphysics

Meditation techniques

customs and traditions

educate and mannerisms.

Subjects such as: be taught by those who have demonstrated mastery and skill in those areas. This is how a normal seminary works.

Cults, however, are not designed to teach anything at all, just for you to submit to the power of the teacher who will use you in whatever way pleases them.

Conclusion:

There are some very sick individuals out there masquerading as Zen Teachers aka "Roshi" who engage in power-play/sadomasochistic (BDSM) with those who fall victim to them. They create cults of power for themselves through disguise it as Zen Religion.

Seminary school does exist, and state-accredited colleges or National governments run them like in Japan or Thailand. Most westerners now just get a Buddhist Studies degree and psychology degree that is more or less accepted as Zen Seminary School.

The guys that are running martial arts schools and doubling as Rinzai teachers are known as Zen Karate Clubs. They are sort of a jokes in both Zen circles and in the greater martial arts arena as well. Nobody takes them seriously outside of what few students they can mesmerize with their bullshit.

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Buddha the healer

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Zen saving sentient beings

The question has been asked: Can Zen cure illnesses?

Master Baizhang

When a Buddha appears in the world to rescue sentient beings, then the prior thought is not born; the succeeding thought should not be continued. When the activity of preceding thoughts vanishes, this is called rescuing sentient beings. If the preceding thought was angry, he uses the medicine of joy to cure it. Then it is said that there is a Buddha saving sentient beings.

However, all verbal teachings just cure disease; because the diseases are not the same, the medicines are also not the same. That is why sometimes it is said there is Buddha, and sometimes it is said there is no Buddha. True words cure sickness; if the cure manages to heal, then all are true words - if they can’t effectively cure sickness, all are false words. True words are false words insofar as they give rise to views; false words are true words insofar as they cut off the delusions of sentient beings. Because disease is unreal, there is only unreal medicine to cure it.

As we can see, the Master is instructing us that 'True words' heal, in that true words are those that do not give rise to false views, and these false views create -- "Suffering"

Many people seek out Zen, and Zen masters, in hopes of curing them. Some say that the affliction they have is spiritual, and others say it is mental (psychiatric).

Two Sicknesses

When people today studying Zen learn it wrongly, it is because of no more than two sicknesses.

One sickness is speechless, formless motionlessness in the haunt of the mind-body complex, where you say, "Even if the Buddhas and Zen Patriarchs came forth, I would still just be thus." This is one sickness.

Next is to give recognition to that which speaks, hears, works, acts, walks, stands, sits, and reclines. This is also a sickness. Do you know that activity is the root of suffering, sustained by the power of wind?

If people can get away from these two sicknesses and can engage in total investigation, someday they should wake up. Otherwise, there is no cleaning things up.

What is Master Foyan speaking about? He is citing those that cling to quietude and silliness, who become sick at the slightest noise or sturings, and those who cling to words and doctrine who become sick when there is silence or no doctrinal remedy.

Many may also recognize that both masters are talking about “The Middle-way" that requires the abandonment, relinquishment, and renunciation of the holding to extremes -- known as the Eight-Fold Path

Those who say that Zen masters do not teach the Middle way or the Eight-fold path have incorrectly learned Zen and are spreading false words.

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Is modern Zen just New Age Teachings in an Asian flavor?

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What is 坐禅 (zazen)

只管打坐 (Zhǐguǎn dǎzuò)

打坐 - sort of translates to Zazen 坐禅 however in the spiritual context it can also mean to 'settle' as in to "seat the mind" and honestly, that is sort of what Zazen is about.

只管 can mean 'just or single'

Now, if your mind is now settled 只管打坐 in your 'everyday activities' then that is it. The ceremonial and performative aspects of Shikantaza is for more educational and instructive environments, in which perhaps you are teaching young boys or laymen who are looking for some teachings before they are off again to wherever they are going.

Westerners tend to make much ado about these ceremonial and performative aspects of Zen that honestly are for young minds and the uneducated.

I think once you have learned and have some degree of discipline about you, the ceremonial stuff is useless other than to mold the next generation of young and bouncy minds :)