Yeah I could really feel myself pulling back as I wrote it, so I guess it rubs against my pride. As for Yogacara Buddhism glad to see others taking interest. Like you, I am eager to see what Kofukuji is all about.

I’ll be sure to write a big report.

I used to go to cultivate for 10 days each year for 2 years & it was an amazing experience. There was no greater luxury than devoting yourself totally, no responsibilities, no thinking about clothes, dinner, work, just the Dharma. I really recommend it.

I’m starting Living Yogacarya, thanks to your blog and I wanted to post the link to Kofukuji temple
http://www.kohfukuji.com/

I think you’re being too kind in this comment in a couple ways. You give me too much credit here, when I feel kind of rotten about myself, but also you’re right to take me to task on the issue of Zen in a non-monastic settings. Truth be told, I have very, very little personal experience with Zen, beyond brief encounters and getting advice from other sources.

I believe there’s nothing wrong with Zen at all, and I salute those who follow it especially out in the meat-world away from monasteries and online “sanghas”, but as the core of Zen practice is zazen, I think one really has to mold their life around it to get the full experience, and that means a lot more than just 30 minutes a day. From what I can tell, Zen when practiced to the fullest is pretty demanding and practically requires a monastic life, sesshins, frequent contact with a teacher and so on. None of this I can do in my present life for very long.

Again, Zen is great, just something I cannot devote to, and don’t think it’s worth trying anymore. I have only X amount of minutes in my life, and I either invest sufficient quality time into Zen or I stop going about it halfway. As I realize how rotten and childish the sense of self is at heart, I need to find something I can devote headlong into amid my schedule, and the Pure Land path has worked for me thus far, so I am “banking” on that.

However, I definitely appreciate your input, and look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on the subject. Thanks and take care!

–Doug

But that is why we practice. Because we live in the world and are not perfect. Your sense of humbleness is a great reflection of your commitment to the Pure Land faith. That is why Amida’s vow is so powerful and important as we are imperfect beings.

But I notice that I reacted to your suggestion that “I feel Zen is best practiced in a strictly monastic setting, not so much a lay-oriented way” with sadness as I am a Soto Zen Buddhist priest living and practicing in the world. I may not be the best example of a good priest or of Zen well lived but I do believe that the best examples of the fruits of Zen practice are not found in the monastic halls but in the marketplaces, bedrooms, and street corners of the world. Clearly your are a deeply sincere student/practitioner of Buddhism. And have a deeper understanding to the various facets of the Dharma then I do but I would like to offer the observation that it is reflection of the depth of your practice that allows you to see the nature of your mind and comment on it in this blog in such a clear and direct manner and that you had the ability to laugh about it with your wife the next day is an inspiration to us all, lay and monastic alike.

deep bow for your efforts which benefit us all
Ryuzen Robby Pellett