[KlaraNovikoffa]

Dear friends,

I would be interested in reading your comments in connection with this 10 minute video from the Zen teacher Jundo Cohen.

with warm wishes,

A-D

[steevytraunse]

Just as an aside, I found the cat's meowing very endearing - though it has nothing to do with the content of the video !

[RLRWai4B]

I thought about posting just "meow" earlier, in a Zen-like way, but I didn't want to risk making light of a serious topic.

Anyway, I like the idea of taking the Buddha down off the pedestal and seeing him as just a man.

[SoOW2LeA]

I think some of the things he has to say are interesting in that they're not quite what one would expect to come from a Zen priest.... not that I'm an expert on the different branches of Zen, I hasten to add !

[galaktiusman]

I like the idea of taking the Buddha down off the pedestal and seeing him as just a man

Agree. When his image comes to my mind I see a man, a teacher, giving wise instructions to be followed.

And It is where the greatness of the historical Buddha resides; he was a teacher, an outstanding one whose teachings are only, and only for, deliverance of mind. To see him as a man is, actually, one of the main reformations taken by some Soto Schools about Buddha, more as a teacher, more as an experience of the teachings than the kind of the Mahayana deity we usually find in their religious oeuvre. Mahayana religion, because such, needed to make out from him a kind of deity. And it happend.

[Breevereurl]

I do not believe in Buddha Yeah ok, so? Just don't stop believing in one's own potential...make it happen

[xesvideo]

Yeah ok, so? Just don't stop believing in one's own potential...make it happen

That's exactly his point, though I don't care for the way it is delivered. This is a bit of old news, actually. I would prefer that he respects other people's beliefs rather than be so in-your-face about it, but that is his style.

You can see the Buddha anytime. Just look in the mirror.

[DoctoBuntonTen]

This is a bit of old news, actually

It wasn't meant as a news item Keith dear, not everyone is familiar with Zen or with Jundo Cohen, so I just wondered what others thought about his views in the video - and thought it might be a possible topic for discussion.

[geasurpacerma]

I agree with his statement but not with the way he has presented it. But i think his style of presentation is maybe designed to cause reaction and discussion.

To add to the discussion, from my understanding we are all buddhas so one individual cannot be given the title. So if you say 'I don't believe in the buddha' then you don't believe in yourself?!?! Also maybe some of the stories/fables he is referring to (like in many religions) are not ment to be taken literally but as illustrations of ideas?

[acceraStoof]

I found the cat's meowing very endearing

Yes, me too!! Aw! To be honest, that's why I watched the video clip!

Yeah ok, so? Just don't stop believing in one's own potential...make it happen

Yes, I think that was his message in the video... to concentrate on the Buddha's teaching, not on the man himself.

[rowneigerie]

A very good talk, a very refreshing way of looking at Buddhism and the teachings.

What came across to me was that he began by sweeping away all the reverence and ideas that are normally associated with the Buddha, and then replaced them by showing personal respect that comes from his own experience of following the path.

I liked the simplicity of his approach.

[GDRussiayear]

Dear friends,

I would be interested in reading your comments in connection with this 10 minute video from the Zen teacher Jundo Cohen.

with warm wishes,

A-D

Surely. in Buddhism it is not the Buddha we "believe" in/venerate etc it is his teachings that are important (certainly from the Theravada tradition that I practice).

Peace

Gerry

[fedordzen]

Dear friends,

I would be interested in reading your comments in connection with this 10 minute video from the Zen teacher Jundo Cohen.

with warm wishes,

A-D

Just an observation on the name of Jundo Cohen. The name Cohen translated from Hebrew is " priest " and all Cohen's have to abide by special laws within Judaism. It should never be used as a first name in Judaism.

A Jewish Buddhist! That sounds familiar, I started of life as an orthodox Jew but soon moved on as a child.

Peace

Gerry

[Lictimind]

I thought about posting just "meow" earlier, in a Zen-like way, but I didn't want to risk making light of a serious topic.

Anyway, I like the idea of taking the Buddha down off the pedestal and seeing him as just a man.

Who has put the Buddah on a pedestal? I have certainly not put him on one, he specifically stated all the time that he was the same as every one else, just another living being. That is how I have always known him as.

Peace

Gerry

[reawnvam]

That's exactly his point, though I don't care for the way it is delivered. This is a bit of old news, actually. I would prefer that he respects other people's beliefs rather than be so in-your-face about it, but that is his style.

You can see the Buddha anytime. Just look in the mirror.

Well said Keith A.

Peace

Gerry

[Coededgeme]

Thank you for posting that video Aloka, Jundo is a awesome teacher. His way of explaining Buddhism and Buddha's teachings has helped me greatly. I have a lot of respect of Jundo Cohen and his fellow Priest Taigu Turlur at Treeleaf Zendo. There are many more excellent videos on the their Youtube channels.

[2swasseneons]

Well said Keith A.

Peace

Gerry

thank you Gerry...

[Peptobismol]

Thank you for posting that video Aloka, Jundo is a awesome teacher. His way of explaining Buddhism and Buddha's teachings has helped me greatly. I have a lot of respect of Jundo Cohen and his fellow Priest Taigu Turlur at Treeleaf Zendo. There are many more excellent videos on the their Youtube channels.

that's the beauty of this, isn't it? I find very little that Jundo says to be helpful to me personally. But, with practice, we can prove what is helpful and what is not. And sometimes, what we push away is the most helpful of all!

[KellyLynchIV]

Yes Keith we're all different

[blackjackblax]

Thank you for posting that video Aloka, Jundo is a awesome teacher

My pleasure Gary - and its really good to see you posting with us again!