6 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Conflicted about Zen Buddhism in general
Actually, it is unusual to practice Shikantaza for bliss. Sometimes there is bliss, sometimes not, all as it is. One might call it a kind of Bliss (Big B) that need not, and often is not, felt as small human feelings of being blissful. May I ask where you were taught to practice Shikantaza for bliss? Thank you. There are many good ways to practice, but your description of Shikantaza is unusual, in my experience.
Comment by Most-Entertainer-182 at 16/02/2025 at 12:59 UTC
1 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Who said it’s unusual to practice shikantaza for bliss? The Buddha didn’t.
The Buddha explained in the first jhana one has vivekajam Piti sukham.
If your mind has viveka, you can’t not feel bliss.
When I practice there is always bliss, non conceptual radiant bliss, and it transcends itself.
I wasn’t taught to practice it for bliss, it just happens whenever I have viveka, non clinging, non doing, and just seeing.