| HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Zen is the "meditation" sect of Buddhism, in which the direct experience, or realization, of Buddhist teaching is given emphasis over scriptural study, devotions, etc. It traces its origin to Shakyamuni Buddha(563 483 B.C.), who after devoting himself to meditation and rigorous self discipline for six years achieved supreme awakening, or enlightenment, and who is but one in a chain of enlightened individuals. In Zen it is not the Buddha himself but his enlightenment that is of central importance. Bodhidharma (d. 534) brought Zen from India to China in the sixth century and is generally looked upon as the real founder of the Zen school. Himself the twenty eighth inheritor of the "mind to mind" transmission begun by the Buddha, Bodhidharma has been followed by an ancestral line of enlightened spiritual descendants that continues to this day. As Zen developed in China, two main schools, or training approaches, emerged. The Lin chi ("Rinzai" in Japan) school emphasized the use of the koan, an anecdotal event or dialogue given to disciples as spiritual problems to elicit awakening relatively quickly. The second school, Ts'ao tung (So to), favored a more gradual "ripening" into enlightenment through meditation without a koan. Zen first came to the United States when a Rinzai monk, Soyen Shaku, spoke at the World's Parliament of Religions in 1883 in Chicago. It grew very little among non Japanese Americans until after World War II, when numerous Americans encountered Buddhism as a result of the occupation of Japan by United States forces. Philip Kapleau, founder of the Rochester Zen Center, first encountered Zen Buddhism while a reporter at the war crimes trials in Japan in 1946. While there he met D. T. Suzuki and in 1950 began to study Buddhist philosophy with him at Columbia University. In 1953 he returned to Japan and spent thirteen years training under three Zen masters; after five years he came to an awakening, then went on to complete another eight years of further study and practice. During this time he was ordained by his teacher Yasutani roshi and later authorized by him to teach. In 1966 he returned to Rochester and founded the Zen Center. In June of 1986, Bodhin Kjolhede was formally installed as Roshi Kapleau's Dharma successor and director of the center. Roshi Kapleau now lives in semi retirement in Florida. The history of Zen shows that it is flexible enough to accommodate itself to widely differing cultures, and recognizing this, Sensei Kjolhede is thoroughly committed to adapting Zen to Western society. BASIC BELIEFS: The words uttered involuntarily by the Buddha at the moment of his awakening are recorded in various Buddhist scriptures: "Wonder of wonders! Intrinsically all living beings are Buddhas, endowed with wisdom and virtue, but because people's minds have become inverted through delusive thinking they fail to perceive this." This first declaration of Shakyamuni is also the ultimate conclusion of Buddhism. Belief in the validity of the Buddha's enlightenment as well as in the intrinsically enlightened nature of all beings is a fundamental article of faith. In Zen, Buddhist theory and doctrine is considered no substitute for personal experience. After his enlightenment the Buddha proclaimed what are known as the Four Noble Truths: 1) all life is suffering, 2) the origin of suffering is ignorance, which causes egoistic craving and attachment, 3) there is a way to the cessation of suffering, 4) this Way is the Eightfold Noble Path: right understanding, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: To formally become a Buddhist one must take part in a ceremony in which he pledges to make every effort to live in accordance with the Ten Cardinal Precepts of Buddhism: I) not to kill but to cherish all life 2) not to take what is not given but to respect the things of others 3) not to engage in improper sexuality but to lead a life of purity and self restraint 4) not to lie to but to speak the truth 5) not to cause others to take substances that impair the mind nor to do so oneself but to keep the mind clear 6) not to speak of the faults of others but to be understanding and sympathetic 7) not to praise oneself nor downgrade others but to overcome one's own shortcomings 8) not to withhold spiritual or material aid but to give them freely where needed 9) not to indulge in anger but to exercise control 10) not to revile the Three Treasures (i.e., the Buddha, his teaching, and the Buddhist community) but to cherish and uphold them. The major ceremonial holidays of the year are Thanksgiving, New Year's, and Vesak, which is a late May celebration of the Buddha's birth, primarily. The Buddha's enlightenment is honored in December with an especially rigorous 7 day training period in seclusion and total silence. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Center and its various affiliates are organized on a membership basis under the aegis of Sensei Kjolhede, who appoints leaders to each group. ROLE OF MINISTERS: In Zen, spiritual authority is vested in the teacher, or roshi (elder or teacher) or sense I, who is formally given this position by his teacher, and has usually, though not always, has been ordained. Ideally students have a close working relationship with the teacher, who in regular one to one encounters gives them personal instruction. Roshi Kapleau has said that in Zen the teacher's chief aim, apart from bringing the student to enlightenment, is to preserve the student from his or her (the teacher's) influence, thus developing strength and self reliance. WORSHIP: There is no worship in Zen Buddhism, as there is no deity to be worshipped. A basic tenet of Buddhism is that all beings are Buddha, or perfect, and need only wake up to their true nature to realize this. Zen meditation is the means to awaken as well as the expression of this awakening. Where available, ordained persons may lead services, but appointed lay people may also lead. Group meditation is not required, but it is strongly encouraged, especially for beginners. Eventually students are able to practice zazen (meditation) effectively alone as well as with others, and throughout their daily activities as well as while formally sitting. In order to become a full participating member of the Center one must first attend an introductory workshop conducted by Sensei Kjolhede, then demonstrate, through regular participation in group sittings and devotional activities as a trial member, a sincere spiritual aspiration. Prospective members must not be involved with any other spiritual group or teacher. There is no minimum equipment required for Zen meditation, but meditation cushions are recommended. No required facilities for meditation, though each center has a room designed for sitting zazen. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: Most members abstain from eating meat, poultry, or fish (out of compassion for all forms of life) and avoid regular use of alcohol and tobacco. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: At the time of death it is preferable, but not required, to have either an ordained Buddhist or other Buddhist (ideally one of spiritual maturity) present. An ordained Buddhist must perform funeral and burial rites. With respect to autopsy, or embalming, it is preferable to delay until three days after death where possible. Cremation is preferred but not required. MEDICAL TREATMENT: No restrictions, though many members avoid entirely the use of drugs in preference for herbal and natural treatments. OTHER: Service in the armed forces is a matter of personal decision, but the Center will support any member with a sincere religious need for conscientious objector status. The first and most important of the Buddhist precepts is: "not to kill but to cherish all life." The major source of new members has been from the readers of Philip Kapleau's books. In accordance with Zen tradition, the Zen Center does not proselytize, but it does provide information about the Center's programs upon request. Zen recognizes the fundamental indivisibility of life in its many forms and so addresses itself to the spiritual impulse common to all men and women, which transcends religious differences. Throughout history no war has ever been fought in the name of Buddhism. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Buddhist scriptures and writings of or about the Buddha and the masters are recommended insofar as they inspire one to practice zazen/meditation and experience directly the truth that transcends all words. Kapleau, Philip. The Three Pillars of Zen. New York, NY: Anchor Books/Doubleday, 1989. 400pp. Zen: Merging of East & West, by Philip Kapleau. New York, NY: Anchor Books/Doubleday, 1989. 330pp. Kraft, Kenneth, ed. Zen: Tradition and Transition. New York, NY: Grove Press, 1988. 230pp. Ross, Nancy Wilson. Buddhism: A Way of Life & Thought. New York, NY: Vintage Books/Random House, 1981. 208pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Ven. Mitra Bishop 7 Arnold Park Rochester, NY 14607 (716) 473-9180 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Zen Center of Rochester |
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| ADDRESS: 7 Arnold Park Rochester, New York 14607 LEADERSHIP: Zen is not organized as an international body with centralized leadership. Rather, Zen training centers and affiliate groups are oriented around any one of a number of autonomous teachers. Bodhin Kjolhede, Sensei, is the director of the Rochester Zen Center and its affiliates in the Americas and Europe. MEMBERSHIP: In 1990 there were 515 members in the United States and an additional 100 members worldwide. There are five centers and two priests. |
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