0 upvotes, 2 direct replies (showing 2)
View submission: Conflicted about Zen Buddhism in general
I appreciate this view. I've been doing some research into jhanas recently, and it's interesting that shikantaza can directly lead to the first jhanas, which are supposed to be very enjoyable. Dogen in the fukanzazengi even says that zazen is the dharma gate of repose and bliss. I also know TNH once gave a talk and said that the absence of the three poisons (which would be let go of in shikantaza) is actually true happiness, and that we should recognize it as such.
Comment by JundoCohen at 17/02/2025 at 01:28 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I would be cautious about his assertion that Shikantaza is associated with the 1st Jhana, or that is something we look for. See my comment below.
Comment by Most-Entertainer-182 at 16/02/2025 at 15:22 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It’s a grave mistake to discard the vivekajam piti sukham. It’s literally the metric as to whether one is meditating correctly or not.
It is the bliss of non clinging, and so can never be clung to, as soon as you try, it disappears, as soon as the mind lets go, it is there.
It guides the mind into finer states of conditioned refinement until eventually it transcends itself into the unconditioned