29 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Conflicted about Zen Buddhism in general
However, whenever I delve into the more, shal I say “technical” side of things, I seem to find that buddhists (including zen), are on a quest to come up with the most detailed analyses on how and why existence and the world is a cursed shithole we need to escape ASAP
You have to understand the context of those teachings. The Early Buddhist Teachings (EBTs) were primarily delivered to a renunciant (homeless monk) audience who saw normal life as something to avoid. They focused on the unpleasant aspects of life as a skillful means of helping those monks let go of material and bodily clinging.
Our practice context is different. The vast majority of Western Zen Buddhist are householders practicing in the midst midst of bills, work, families, school, friends, etc. A world-denying teaching is not a very skill means for us. Generally, a more world-affirming Mahayana outlook makes better sense. In Zen in particular, the goal isn't the ultimate seclusion from and denial of the world, but rather engagement with it with the aspiration to help where we can. In fact, the last "stage" in the traditional steps of Zen practice is titled "Entering the Village". In this step we explicitly head into the dynamics of regular life with a heart of compassion and eagerness to help other beings.
Even more broadly, in the EBTs the goal is to leave the world when we pass away, but in Mahayana (which Zen is part of), the goal is the be reborn and stay in the world to be of assistance. It is a very different perspective. As /u/Nicholas_2727 points out, Mahayana also has the concept of Buddha Nature. The idea is a positive one. It says that in our core, we are awakened beings and our Buddha Nature is inherently tied to and even synonymous with compassion. Certainly, in my own life, the more my mind works in accord with my Buddha Nature, the kinder and more compassionate I have become.
I hardly have motivation to play guitar, spend time with my loved ones, etc.,
In my own life, as my practice has developed, I find the world to be a richer, more wonderful and more beautiful place. My wholesome desires and aspirations are actually stronger, not weaker. In the past, I was more compelled to hide from the world and now I feel more eagerness to explore it and celebrate it.
all I see around me is delusion, ignorance...
It might help to understand what the concept of delusion/ignorance actually is in Buddhism.
The word being translated from Buddhist texts here is avidyā/avijjā. This word points to the idea that all human problems are caused by being ignorant of the true nature of reality. The fundamental misunderstanding that is encapsulated in this term is the mistaken perception that our self-identity is real. By contrast, when we are free of this perceptual misunderstanding, we see that the only thing that is actually real is our formless awareness of the timeless present moment. All our memories of the past and mental simulations of the future that make up who we think we are, are not actually real. They are just high-level best guesses and abstract ideas about reality.
These apparitions of the past and future are just (hopefully helpful) survival tools to help us survive as organisms. All of our memories, beliefs and view of the future are not concretely real.
While this capacity of the mind to create a provisional "self-identity" is essentially important for survival, the whole thing tends to go too far when it begins to rule our lives instead of just being a helpful tool. The goal of practice is not to completely get rid of this illusion of self, but rather to see through it so that it does not enslave us. Practice is a movement from enslavement to freedom.
Does all this make sense? Is it helpful?
Comment by SwampGentleman at 16/02/2025 at 16:21 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You have taught me very much. Thank you.🫶