Comments on: Getting re-acquainted with an old friend… http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-138 Gerald Ford Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:21:41 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-138 Michael: Welcome to the L8B. Great advice and greatly appreciated. :) Yueheng: Reading the Analects in English is hard too because they use the annoying Wades-Giles system for romanization, while I learned Chinese Pinyin in school. I'd love to see a good translation that uses pinyin, not Wade-Giles. Zen: No worries. :D It's what I get for putting important points way at the bottom of a long post. Michael: Welcome to the L8B. Great advice and greatly appreciated. :)

Yueheng: Reading the Analects in English is hard too because they use the annoying Wades-Giles system for romanization, while I learned Chinese Pinyin in school. I’d love to see a good translation that uses pinyin, not Wade-Giles.

Zen: No worries. :D It’s what I get for putting important points way at the bottom of a long post.

]]> By: Zen http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-139 Zen Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:12:20 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-139 Doh! Yup, I read it wrong. My bad Doh! Yup, I read it wrong. My bad

]]> By: Yueheng http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-137 Yueheng Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:08:30 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-137 Even though I'm Chinese and have studied Mandarin since I was a child, reading the Analects in its original language is tough for me. I prefer reading it in English. Kind of ironic, isn't it? Oh, and if you're interested in exploring Confucian thought, one book I would recommend is <i>The Authentic Confucius</i> by Annping Chin. She writes in a rather personal style and does a good job of humanizing the philosopher. Even though I’m Chinese and have studied Mandarin since I was a child, reading the Analects in its original language is tough for me. I prefer reading it in English. Kind of ironic, isn’t it? Oh, and if you’re interested in exploring Confucian thought, one book I would recommend is The Authentic Confucius by Annping Chin. She writes in a rather personal style and does a good job of humanizing the philosopher.

]]> By: Michael Joyce http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-131 Michael Joyce Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:32:34 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-131 Here's a touch of Suzuki-roshi for ya... (i'm not quoting him, ..but running with his train of thought). Where you are now Gerald, is where you should be. Don't think about "deepness", "enlightenment" and the lot... you'll simply lose your focus. "The Beginner's Mind" IS the enlightened mind (and as it links with Taoism)... it IS when it doesn't strive to BE. When you meditate, beit for 5, 10 minutes (or hours)... you must keep awareness on your breath, appreciate the quiet, and attempt at linking with the Buddha-nature that is innately already a part of you. And as soo many buddhist have said, Buddha-nature is our compassion for life and others. You're on the right path... no need to intellectualize. Peace. Here’s a touch of Suzuki-roshi for ya… (i’m not quoting him, ..but running with his train of thought). Where you are now Gerald, is where you should be. Don’t think about “deepness”, “enlightenment” and the lot… you’ll simply lose your focus. “The Beginner’s Mind” IS the enlightened mind (and as it links with Taoism)… it IS when it doesn’t strive to BE.

When you meditate, beit for 5, 10 minutes (or hours)… you must keep awareness on your breath, appreciate the quiet, and attempt at linking with the Buddha-nature that is innately already a part of you. And as soo many buddhist have said, Buddha-nature is our compassion for life and others. You’re on the right path… no need to intellectualize. Peace.

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-135 Gerald Ford Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:15:29 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-135 Erg: Thanks for the encouragement; it's a big help. I guess the right way to start a religious path is to admit you know nothing. I figured if I studied enough, something would just click. Obviously it hasn't so far, so I've missed some fundamental point. I've read the Tao of Pooh before and it was a cute book. Yueheng: Good to see you. :) Yeah, I like that last chapter (81) a lot: <em>One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know.</em> The Chinese classics are just so fun to read. I am working my way again through the Analects lately, which is harder for Western audiences I think, but well worth the read. It really helps appreciate Confucian thought, I believe, and by extension, Asian culture. Erg: Thanks for the encouragement; it’s a big help. I guess the right way to start a religious path is to admit you know nothing. I figured if I studied enough, something would just click. Obviously it hasn’t so far, so I’ve missed some fundamental point.

I’ve read the Tao of Pooh before and it was a cute book.

Yueheng: Good to see you. :) Yeah, I like that last chapter (81) a lot:

One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know.

The Chinese classics are just so fun to read. I am working my way again through the Analects lately, which is harder for Western audiences I think, but well worth the read. It really helps appreciate Confucian thought, I believe, and by extension, Asian culture.

]]> By: Yueheng http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-136 Yueheng Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:58:20 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-136 I love how the Tao Te Ching ends: "The Way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete." I love how the Tao Te Ching ends: “The Way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.”

]]> By: Erg http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-133 Erg Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:16:39 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-133 I never understand anything gerald. Its nothing to be ashamed of or worried about. Heck, I follow a religious path BECAUSE I never understand anything. I think you are doing fine. I have two copies of the Tao Te Ching, and the Tao of Pooh. Every time I read it I get something different out of it. But I can't say I understand it either. I never understand anything gerald. Its nothing to be ashamed of or worried about. Heck, I follow a religious path BECAUSE I never understand anything. I think you are doing fine.

I have two copies of the Tao Te Ching, and the Tao of Pooh. Every time I read it I get something different out of it. But I can’t say I understand it either.

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-132 Gerald Ford Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:56:40 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-132 I believe you might have missed the footnote I wrote: <em>** - Contrary to what I am implying here, I actually think Zen is a beautiful fusion of Taoist and Buddhist thought. </em> :) I believe you might have missed the footnote I wrote:

** – Contrary to what I am implying here, I actually think Zen is a beautiful fusion of Taoist and Buddhist thought.
:)

]]> By: Zen http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/10/getting-re-acquainted-with-an-old-friend/#comment-134 Zen Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:34:19 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=86#comment-134 Zen IS a combination of Taoist & Buddhist thoughts. Zen IS a combination of Taoist & Buddhist thoughts.

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