I thought of an interesting title for a modern Zen book, Making Zen Work in the Real World: How to Make Zen Practical. Here, the subtitle shows us what the main title is really about. We have to fundamentally change Zen. This fictitious book would be about junking Zen Buddhism. No longer would we suffer trying to see our true nature or the same, see our Buddha-nature. Zen would adapt to our everyday real world of job and family, politics and entertainment. In other words, Zen is about learning how to live in the present—a livable present that aims at ordinary happiness. It would also be a present that is practical in the sense of not caring anymore about some abstract, metaphysical truth.
Living a livable, happy life, naturally, would mean that we have to accept many fictions as being true in order to enjoy such a life. This could be easily accomplished in many ways. For example, by treating theories as fact as far as science goes. On the subject of medicine a cure would be about the elimination of symptoms (palliation). History would be revised in such a way that it supports our belief that the meaning of life is to live a livable, happy life; that at least we are always moving in that direction. Religion would be eliminated. The only personal practice is learning to be mindful and doing zazen at least ten minutes a day.
Let’s face it, the really real world is irrational for us. To this day science has no idea what the universe is made of. Nature is still a mystery. It defies our commonsense understanding and most of our expectations. But its irrationality doesn’t prevent us from building homes to live in and having families and being engaged in our species-specific tasks, notably, making our world livable which can only be done in the present—in this life. This is as far as Zen should go. The Zen of Bodhidharma or Daoxin is of no help to us anymore. It is not practical. But is this Zen? The answer is, no. It a Zen that is only interested in conventional truth, not ultimate truth. Most humans don’t have the courage to look through and beyond the superficial veil of this present life. But real Zen requires it.
Part of my inspiration for this blog (a satire) came for Im Kwon-Taek’s film, Mandala (1981) which is a darn good Zen flick.
Wow...I can see the whole film online! Thanks! As I was reading your posting for today I was just smiling the whole time thinking, That's the ideal of our secular society!! Surrounding ourselves with soft pillows of money, belief and self-confidence so that the knocks and blows of life don't hurt so much. And we don't end up in prison or with an STD.
And so many books similar to that are on the "Philosophy/Religion" shelves right now, so apparently the name without the game proves to be a pretty good seller!
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't ask myself "What stands between me and enlightenment?" That is the primary question of Zen, and if we have any confidence in the words of the Buddha at all, it's what we need to ask ourselves, because how can the blind lead the blind?
Posted by: Susan | March 08, 2016 at 11:41 PM