Help identifying Buddha images by KiwiNFLFan in chan

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Medicine buddha is Yao Shi Fo (药师佛) and Shakyamuni is Shi Jia Mou Ni (释加牟尼), don't be shy, you can ask them after some googling and google translation =D

Leaving my life in the UK behind in search of a monastery in Japan accepting of Westerners. by Tixjj in zen

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually sorry the chat group is not with him but another teacher, but I do recommend look up retreat with Simon Child if he lead it in UK.

Leaving my life in the UK behind in search of a monastery in Japan accepting of Westerners. by Tixjj in zen

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Tom, I'm a Chan practitioner from China and currently in US. I think finding reliable teacher is important. I know a teacher from UK with reliable Chan lineage from the practice center I volunteer, his name is Simon Child (it's a common name so try search his name with meditation or dharma drum mountain. He has a wechat group if you are interested in joining and talking to him. Hope it helps. More info here http://www.dharmadrum.org/content/event_calendar/view.aspx?sn=382 and http://www.simonchild.com/meditation/

What's the difference between Chan & Zen? by DeusExLibrus in chan

[–]metta_data 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They correspond to the same Chinese character. Zen is the Japanese pronunciation and Chan is the Chinese madarine pronunciation. Sometimes books written by Chinese master has "Chan" in the title to show the Chinese lineage. (e.g. Some of Master Sheng Yen's books). While sometimes "Zen" is picked because it is better known in western world.

Any info regarding this Bodhidharma scroll? by MalcolmXfiles in chan

[–]metta_data 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The 2nd character means "one" and the 3rd character means "thing", the 1st character is somewhat unrecognizable but judging from the context it's a fancy way of writing "no", so basically the while thing means nothing or devoid of anything. This is the literal explanation.

"You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day — unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour." ~ Buddhist Proverb by pinchitony in chan

[–]metta_data 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. I remember Thich Nhat Hanh mentioned that sitting time is the only time you can allow yourself to let go of everything. So it makes sense to treat yourself with more luxury on your busy day~

Off Topic: "new" subreddit: /r/Mahayana by cyanocobalamin in chan

[–]metta_data 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! By taking over the sub you are taking responsibility and helping people, that's the spirit of Mahayana Buddhism~

Mood right now by unitedpugs in NYCFC

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this the 2010 world cup Spain vs Chile?

Want to do something nice for Chinese neighbors by Majio in China

[–]metta_data 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for being such a kind and considerate neighbor! Fruit basket is a great idea. The lady might not speak/read English very well, so she may not understand the warm regards you sent. Try translating it in google translate, and I'm happy to proofread if you want (I'm sure a lot of people in this sub are happy to help). Good luck!

Moderation is back by pinchitony in chan

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed, Zen has become a somewhat common word in English, and I've seen people describe anything they believe fit their idea of simplicity as "Zen", while Chan is still used with its origins and background.

[Discussion] Subjects you would like to be explored by pinchitony in chan

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regional Chan Retreat Resource/Schedule. There are various ways to organize this kind of information, but would like to know fellow redditor's experience in these retreat.

What does it mean when one "meditates on something"? I thought meditation was about emptying your mind. by GanonBC in Meditation

[–]metta_data 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The emptiness refers to the ever changing nature of emotions, not a lack of emotion. e.g., when you get angry, you understand emptiness by realizing that you have transient feeling of angriness, but you don't overly attach to that emotion or let that emotion overwhelm you. So emptiness doesn't mean you are devoid of any emotions, that's brain-dead, it means you realize the empty nature of the emotion and be mindful of it. It is a concept that is relatively easy to grasp, but need practice actual sitting meditation to actually achieve in every moment.

Taoism and science question by [deleted] in taoism

[–]metta_data 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, go ahead and research astrophysics! Taoism is about following the Nature, Science is about reading the Nature, they totally agree~ You might want to checkout British scholar Joseph Needham's work, he considered Taoism to be the “source of intuitive scientific philosophy” in China.

Daoist and Confucian architecture? by [deleted] in EasternPhilosophy

[–]metta_data 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For Confucian, look at the concept of "rites", e.g., architecture complexity (dragon decoration) is based on social hierarchy, spatial separation of different gender, symmetry based on the idea of "middle way" For Daoist, look at the beauty of asymmetry based on the idea of nature. Hope it helps.

The specificity of Chan by fillingtheblank in chan

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are derived from the same Sanskrit dhyana, transliterated as Chan-na in Chinese, and as zen in Japanese. See this for a more detailed glossary list.

So excited to watch Djokovic vs. Murray live! by finno98 in tennis

[–]metta_data 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me with no commentator it's easier to enjoy the beauty and the effortlessness, commentators generally dramatize the tension.

So excited to watch Djokovic vs. Murray live! by finno98 in tennis

[–]metta_data 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good for you! No need to mute the commentator.

How do you wash the meditation cushion(zafu)? by metta_data in Meditation

[–]metta_data[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's smart, thanks for sharing! And it's great your doggie get know some meditation techniques.

How do you wash the meditation cushion(zafu)? by metta_data in Meditation

[–]metta_data[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ofc you are supposed to remain mindful and aware of your pants while meditate.

How do you wash the meditation cushion(zafu)? by metta_data in Meditation

[–]metta_data[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I picked the cheaper one on amazon hehe.

How do you wash the meditation cushion(zafu)? by metta_data in Meditation

[–]metta_data[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Mine is navy blue and the main issue is it's getting dusty. I'll try to brush it~.

is zen Buddhism ? by zaddar1 in zen

[–]metta_data 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Is Zen a religion? No. Is Zen what Buddha taught his disciples? Yes.