Is Zen a religion?

[Pugtm]

well, it's a little bit more complicated, and maybe profound then that.

"shin" means "god" (kami in japanese) and "to" is the way. it is a bit arbitrary but, assuming there are "divine" beings in all things. yes, each individual can choose to "pay respect" to nearly anything. I had an aunt that had quite a strange item that she regarded as divine on her shinto shrine. .. ..and we (me, or any of my japanese cousins) never questioned her devotion.

1. yeah well, i was generalizing and realize that it is probably deeper than that.
2. Uh if shin means god then explain please shinken? and also if shin means god then what's kami mean?

[Masahiro]

2. Uh if shin means god then explain please shinken? and also if shin means god then what's kami mean?

well "shin" (神) in shinto is a different pronounciation for the same "神" that can also be pronounced as "Kami". the japanese, chinese, korean language all have this, because the 3 languages borrows heavily from chinese.

the "shin" in "shin-ken"(真剣, しんけん) means "real".

[nysamurai]

I voted "Sorta", which is currently running dead last in the voting. I believe that Zen is, in its way, a religion. It has priests and temples, rites and rituals and its own form of "worship". However, we in the west struggle some with eastern thought generally. As such I also see zen as a philosophy, a way of living life, which for me is somewhat different than a "life style". I have explored it a bit over time, especially as it relates to martial art, and I can say without fear of contridiction that I mostly don't understand it at all!!! Still, it's the journey, isn't it, and not the destination.

[Ignatz]

Pugtm, at first, I was kind of pulling for you, what with the whole "why do people hate me because I do kendo" thing. That's fading real fast, as you continue to proffer ignorant nonsense like this. Expand your horizons, understand the world around you and learn something you above most people should be acutely aware of - tolerance.

I was trying not to hurt his feelings while saving his soul.
In the off chance he has one.

[nysamurai]

You are a gem, Ig!!!!

[Gessho]

"If I point my finger at the moon, is my finger the moon?"

"If I stick my foot in your a...?"

[Nakura]

Condiering my degree title is "Study of Religions" and I've taken a course in Buddhism and Zen Buddhism being a branch of said creed, I'd have to say yes. If not, I'll tell my uni :-D

[mugen no junin]

kendo is a religion?

[bullet08]

kendo is a religion?

sure seems like some people think it is..

pete

[JCM]

Condiering my degree title is "Study of Religions" and I've taken a course in Buddhism and Zen Buddhism being a branch of said creed, I'd have to say yes. If not, I'll tell my uni :-D

Don't believe everything they tell you at uni, a lot of teaching staff has never had any real direct experience outside academic (yes, I know, some do). Is painfully clear when you graduate and enter the real world

[Fonsz]

sure seems like some people think it is..

pete

Bite your tongue oh Evil one! You have mentioned the unmentionable! Go forth and leave us..............

[bullet08]

Bite your tongue oh Evil one! You have mentioned the unmentionable! Go forth and leave us..............

i'm taking all the beer with me!

pete

[Ignatz]

It is 18 degrees F. and snowing where I am right now.

Is god punishing me?

[Fonsz]

i'm taking all the beer with me!

pete

That's allright my religion forbids me to indulge in alcohol.......

[Fonsz]

It is 18 degrees F. and snowing where I am right now.

Is god punishing me?

If you're in Alaska then I suppose God is having a regular day. If you're however in Florida or the Bahama's then it's best to get down on your knees and pray. Hard, so that we can hear you.