Do you believe in God?

[Netzach]

Sorry if I am way behind, but I haven't been able to visit Lit in several days....

In my childhood world...this was called "Confession." So, kids don't have money, hence they sacrifice by saying 10 Hail Mary's and 10 Lord's Prayers (or whatever prayers the priests decides on) to make up for their transgressions. I haven't done a "meet the priest"confession since I was 12. But I still confess, in a way, when I screw up. I just think that I don't need an intermediary. Confession isn't always a bad thing. It was a good framework, at least, for forcing me to identify when I had done the wrong thing...serious introspection. This, I do not regret.

~LB

Yuh huh, it's a good thing. It's not like before Freud there was absolutely nothing.

 

[Netzach]

The Chinese started that spin, and the Japanese and Koreans ran with it. There's plenty of brilliant surrealism to Japanese zen. I suggest "The Gateless Gate", specifically Kuon Yamada's translation. It's got some good examples.

I'll check that out, I could use a good read.

 

[Homburg]

I'll check that out, I could use a good read.

It was a remarkably good book. I'm home now, and will try to find that Chinese layman I mentioned. Again, really good stuff.

If you want a lovely experience, check out "Zen Shorts" by Jon Muth. It is ostensibly a children's book about a panda that moves next door to a young boy, and teaches the boy about life using zen parables. The writing is excellent, the stories and parables are engaging, and the artwork is positively enchanting. I fell in love with the book the moment MIS showed it to me in the store, and was delighted when she gave me a copy as a present.

It won awards for its' art, and is in current production. If you've got a Barnes and Nobles nearby, they'll probably have a copy. It's short enough that you can read it in the store without problems. You aren't likely to regret it. To be honest, if MIS hadn't bought it for me, I know I would've eventually wandered back in and bought that book myself.

 

[midwestyankee]

Couldn't pass up the opportunity

The problem with arguing about God using analogies:

Three engineering students are discussing what sort of god must have designed the human body. The first one says, "God must be a mechanical engineer. Look at how beautifully all the joints work together." The second says, "I think god must be an electrical engineer. The nervous system has thousands of electrical connections that all work marvelously. Not to be outdone, the third opines, "Actually, God is a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic-waste pipeline through a recreational area?"

 

[FurryFury]

The problem with arguing about God using analogies:

Three engineering students are discussing what sort of god must have designed the human body. The first one says, "God must be a mechanical engineer. Look at how beautifully all the joints work together." The second says, "I think god must be an electrical engineer. The nervous system has thousands of electrical connections that all work marvelously. Not to be outdone, the third opines, "Actually, God is a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic-waste pipeline through a recreational area?"

LOL!

 

[Recidiva]

The problem with arguing about God using analogies:

Three engineering students are discussing what sort of god must have designed the human body. The first one says, "God must be a mechanical engineer. Look at how beautifully all the joints work together." The second says, "I think god must be an electrical engineer. The nervous system has thousands of electrical connections that all work marvelously. Not to be outdone, the third opines, "Actually, God is a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic-waste pipeline through a recreational area?"

Yay!

I've found that people who truly want to believe throw logic out the window first.

If you want to have faith, you will. I don't mind that.

I do become offended when faith is somehow justified by logic or science. No. Sorry. At that point you do have to start dealing in facts and methods.

I will respect your faith if you respect my table of elements.

 

[Homburg]

Found it.

Layman P'ang visited the great master Shih-t'ou to find out something about the Ch-an.
One day, Shih-t'ou said to the Layman: "Since seeing me, what have your daily activities been?"
"When you ask me about my daily activities, I can't open my mouth," the Layman replied.
"Just because I know you are, thus I now ask you," said Shih-t'ou.
Whereupon the Layman offered this verse:
. My daily activities are not unusual
. I'm just naturally in harmony with them
. Grasping nothing, discarding nothing
. In every place, there's no hindrance, no conflict.
. Who assigns the ranks of vermillion and purple?--
. The hills and mountains' last speck of dust is extinguished.
. Supernatural power and marvelous activity--
. Drawing water and carrying firewood.

Shih-t'ou gave his assent. Then he asked: "Will you put on the black robes or will you continue wearing white?"
"I want to do what I like," replied the Layman.
So he did not shave his head or dye his clothing.

--

As the Layman and Sung-shan were walking together one day
they saw a group of monks picking greens.
"The yellow leaves are discarded, the green leaves are kept," said Sung-shan.
"How about not falling into green or yellow?" asked the Layman.
"Better you tell me," said Sung-shan.
"For the two of us to be host and guest is most difficult," returned the Layman.
"Yet having come here, you strain to make yourself ruler!" said Sung-shan.
"Who doesn't!" retorted the Layman.
"True, true," said Sung-shan.
"To speak about "not falling into green or yellow' is especially difficult," said the Layman.
"But you just did so," returned Sung-shan, laughing.
"Take care of yourselves," called the Layman to the group of monks.
"The monks forgive you for falling into activity," said Sung-shan.
At that the Layman went off.

--

The Layman was once lying on his couch reading a sutra. A monk saw him and said, "Layman! You must maintain dignity while reading the sutra."
The Layman raised up one leg.
The monk had nothing to say.

I enjoy Layman P'ang for a number of reasons. I find it comforting that a Layman can be considered such an important thinker in the Ch'an tradition. You read so much of monks and holy men that it sometimes obscures the fact that there is practice, and wise practice at that, outside of temples and monasteries. And I likewise enjoy Layman anecdotes because of the joyful irreverence and humour displayed in these stories.

 

[DVS]

I believe in an after life. So, I guess I believe in some form of a God...some spiritual being. I had experiences when my mother and father died that tend to follow that same thought process. Of course, what I experienced I couldn't express here in a way others would understand. But, I do believe something is out there.


That, and I watched Battlestar Galactica.

 

[Shankara20]

That, and I watched Battlestar Galactica.

so she was an angel -
ok
but the brand new Viper from the Gods/God?
give-me-a-break...

 

[missy_me]

.....

 

[DVS]

so she was an angel -
ok
but the brand new Viper from the Gods/God?
give-me-a-break...

maybe it just depends on what the meaning of the word IS is.