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From: tay@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Mike Taylor)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Re: Looking for a philosophy/religion.
Message-ID: <1211@idunno.Princeton.EDU>
Date: 13 Jul 90 17:10:01 GMT
Sender: mukund@idunno.Princeton.EDU
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Approved: mukund@idunno.Princeton.EDU


The two books I have are, "An Introduction to Zen Buddhism" by 
Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, and "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryn
Suzuki.  The former is pretty old (the intro was written by Jung),
but it is short and pretty easy reading.  I have just started the
latter, but its pretty good so far.

The problem I have is understanding what is meant by stuff like "when
you travel east, you also travel west", and "the present becomes the
past and the past becomes the present".  It seems to be in the crux of
the Zen mind, kind of disregarding the reality that has been put upon
you, and disregarding what you have learned.  I think that is what is
meant to have the "Beginner's Mind".

Mabey I try too hard to understand Zen.  "I have nothing to teach you
about Zen", "keep the beginner's mind", and "if you see the Buddha, you
must kill him" are the types of phrases that keep coming up.  It seems
very elusive and meant to be that way.


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Mike Taylor             | "I've seen stranger things than you
tay@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com    |       in my breakfast cereal!" - Zaphod Beeblebrox