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Buddhist Without A Teacher
Is it possible to be buddhist without a teacher? I live in the Bronx so thats NY for those unfamiliar. I don't have a car or much money. Do I need a teacher or can I just learn by myself? I am looking to study Soto Zen to be specific. Thanks in advance.
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In any other case, for any other tradition, I would say "you only need a teacher if you need a teacher", but for Zen I say "you need a teacher".
I recommend pema chodron teachings if nothing else? fierce or what?
Some text that I can read on my own preferably for free or affordable?
Learning until the point where I must obtain a teacher?
And really, take a look at the link I provided... it's an online zen sangha, with teachers you can communicate with, a forum, etc...
"The Buddhas can only point the way. You yourself must walk the Path."
I know you prefer Zen but this is a really great website, especially if you are interested in textual studies: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/begin.html
just fudge around with Google...
It's unfortunate that having a Zen teacher costs money, or else I would say your first choice was probably a great one (since you did choose it first).
The following is my opinion and others on this site may (probably will) disagree with me:
Depending on our "Paramis" (perfections) we may or may not be able to practice on our own. The Buddha was believed (by some Buddhists, not all) to have developed his Paramis over many lifetimes prior to becoming the Buddha.
For those who have highly developed paramis they may be able to make progress by themselves, but many of us may feel we need the support of a flesh and blood community of practitioners in order to keep on track. I personally don't believe there is an absolute right or wrong approach in this regard, I believe it is up to each of us to know our own capabilities and limitations and work with them.
I believe that we all have the capacity to become fully Enlightened in this lifetime, but what we need to support ourselves as we walk the Path may be different for each of us, depending on where we are starting from. So there is not, in my opinion, a black and white answer.
Personally, I reached a point after studying, keeping the precepts and meditating on my own where I decided I had reached a plateau and needed to come in contact with other practitioners to make further progress. Whether or not this is an imagined limitation or something real, I don't know. As I continue to practice I seem to go in phases where I am okay by myself for a while and then phases where I like to practice with others.
I recommend trying both (if there are any Dhamma centers nearby where you can attend for free) and see what works for you.
The best measure (over a long period of time, not from day to day or week to week) is to ask yourself and also people who you trust: "Am I increasing in wholesome qualities and decreasing in unwholesome qualities?" and if both yourself and others agree that the answer is "yes" then you are on the right track.
The teacher in Theravada (Thai Forest) is an inspiring friend and example of mature practice. They want nothing from you (except a meal), and group sittings are not regimented, which is suited for people with plenty of self discipline. Theravada is a warmer, gentler, less intense approach.
Thanks Valtiel... I feel Thai Forest is closer to my liking but Zen also interests me alot... Some friends and I work on Koans quite a bit and I think I'll check this site out to get some guidance to working on Koans from a Teacher...
Thanks again...
Absolutely, understand and implement The Four Noble Truths into your life.
Try Any of Thich Nhat Hanh books he is an 84 year old Vietnamese Zen monk and has published over 70 books. They are a great for today's contemporary world and he in fact encourages you to follow mindfulness and the teachings of the Buddha, but at the same time to stay within your own Roots as a Jew, Christian etc.
He is very accessible via the internet, and\or your local library.
His writings are unique in that they are very easily understood and not traditional Zen, or any particular school of Buddhism. Yet if you read him and later on read The Sutras you'll realize just how much he does teach from the direct Buddhist texts...
Best of luck.
ivan
If you aren't looking for a sole religion, then you don't even need to focus specifically on one tradition. I read and listen to teachings from all different traditions and take what I can from each of them. A person's personal philosophy can come from a wide array of different philosophies. Try not to think in all-or-nothing terms and just be open to keep learning.
A human teacher is very beneficial. However, in Zen practice and study, Zazen is the real teacher.
"Zazen is the ultimate practice. This is indeed the True Self. The Buddhadharma is not to be sought outside of this." ~Dogen Zenji
Although it is very beneficial to one's practice to have a human teacher. I think it is incorrect to say that you need one in order to truly be a Zen Buddhist. In order to truly be a zen Buddhist, all one has to do is practice Zazen.
It should be said that "Zazen" is ONE of many ultimate practice in Buddhism. In this way, you are not place in the position on contempt of your Buddha dharma.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Would you learn to practice medicine without teachers?
Could you teach yourself Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from books?
Of course not, and Buddhism is no different. There is a lot that can be missed or misinterpreted if we go it alone for too long. If we really want to fully understand and maximize our potential through the teachings of Buddhism we are all going to need to rely on a teacher or teachers at some point.
You can be a Buddhist while you are figuring it out. Its wise to take your time deciding which path works best for you.
If you explore the local Buddhist temples in the Bronx, I'm sure you'll find something that feels right.
Good luck!
Matt
You should realise that you are the one that teach yourself and the teacher is just the one that shows you the way.
It's not important to put a label on yourself. You can know who you are by looking within, not by looking outwardly to find a specific word to describe yourself. You already feel your nature, but it's hard to tune into it when we're expected to identify with one or another. Let go of the all-or-nothing thinking and you will find peace.
Quick Google of "bronx zen center"
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=bronx+zen+center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=zen+center&hnear=Bronx,+New+York&view=text&ei=e98sTOXvFtefnwflj-X0Ag&ved=0CCcQtQMwAA&z=10
I would agree. But since the OP expressed interest in Soto Zen and Dogen is one of the founders of Soto Zen tradition, I figured I would mention what he had to say. Certinly not the only practice in all of Buddhism However, I am betting that Dogen's definition of Zazen is quite different than most people's definition of it. I would bet that his definition of Zazen is really nothing other than emptiness or Buddahood itself. That is the thing about Zen teachers, they say one thing, but they usually mean something quite different. Which is why they always say such crazy things LOL
He was actually saying the opposite.
When I first skimmed over it I read it the same way you did. I think it is the word "but..." which throws us off the scent, we think he's going in one direction and so we interpret the rest of the sentence accordingly.
But still fascinating how the mind works
With Metta,
Guy
Doh. Especially a stubborm mind pre-loaded with so many opinions. Like this one. :buck:
When someone says that you must do X, Y, and Z, I take that to mean that _they_ must do X, Y, and Z. It tells me something about person making the statement, but it may not tell me anything about people in general. It may be helpful information for me, but it doesn't necessarily follow that I need the same things that another person needs.
In the Buddha's time, and for centuries afterwards, the only way to study Buddhism seriously was to join a monastery. Nowadays, teachers can teach through books and videos and online communication. Face to face communication is no longer the only way of learning. Take advantage of whatever is available and don't lose heart. :-)
Thank you. :-)
At one time, the only way to seriously study Buddhism was face to face with a monk who had a limited amount of time and tended to focus his efforts on fellow monks. Nowadays a teacher has many other ways of communicating. Humans are social animals and most of us do better in groups, but I wouldn't despair if I couldn't get face time with a teacher.