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From: pmy@vivaldi.acc.virginia.edu (Pete Yadlowsky)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Re: Zen Buddhism (Is a teacher necessary?)
Message-ID: <1990Nov22.003508.2255@nas.nasa.gov>
Date: 22 Nov 90 00:35:08 GMT
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Reply-To: pmy@vivaldi.acc.virginia.edu (Pete Yadlowsky)
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In article <1990Nov20.033319.15098@nas.nasa.gov> unx.sas.com!sascmc@mcnc.org (Chris Conn) writes:

>   Do you think a teacher is really necessary to practise Zen?

I don't know. Teachers can be useful, though, as long as the student
doesn't fall into the trap of worshipping a teacher.

>   Does a person have to be involved with a teacher or a group in order
>      to consider themselves a Zen Buddhist?

Yes, lest the local Zen Authority deposit rotting vegetables in one's
mailbox. Seriously, don't worry about considering yourself anything.
Whether with a group or without, just practice.


--
Peter M. Yadlowsky		| "You know - when I talk to people, I try to
Academic Computing Center	|  look more intelligent than I actually am.
University of Virginia		|  Seems to work."
pmy@Virginia.EDU		|			- LA