What does it mean to formally become a Buddhist?

Q: What does it mean to formally become a Zen Buddhist?
In this video Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi answers the question by looking at the Zen precepts and what implications they have on your life when you commit to them.
For further information visit www.zenways.org

[@bradcox2579]

I have been a practicing Zen Buddhist for 30 years now and I must say that your clear spoken speech and eloquence made this so easy to understand. Most talks like this usually end up causing its viewers mental whiplash with nothing actually sinking in. Thank you. 😎✌💗🌞🐬🌴🌻

[@Zenways_zen]

You're very welcome, Brad.

[@simeondawkins6358]

has it help u Wake up to reality yet? i hope so

[@luciesimackova4805]

It's amazing how is he serene and eloquent, hope I will get there or rather be there with practice.

[@chrislewis3372]

very well said, thank you for teaching.

[@Zenways_zen]

Thanks for watching!

[@tannhauser1mm927]

Could we please have a teaching or talk by Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi on the teaching of Emptiness of all phenomena? What does it mean & how can we attain insight into Emptiness? Thank you all

[@bikerpreacheruk]

Thank you, I have been trying to find my way in Zen Buddhism for some time...only now are the beginnings clear. I don't live close to an easily accessible sangha so I have been reliant on books and videos such as yours.

[@Zenways_zen]

You're very welcome, Andy. Wishing you great success in your practice.

[@simeondawkins6358]

@@Zenways_zen u might find a true teacher online if u lucky I once met a german women in full nivana she was very happy always

[@UtterlyAmazingVideos]

When you said "What does it mean to keep the killing precept? How can we find resolution within this? How can we find peace within this?", I was really hoping you were going to follow up those questions with the answer 😩

[@Zenways_zen]

It would be good if there was a "right" answer wouldn't it?! Some guidance from outside, wisdom from on high... but that's not the approach of Zen. Zen invites us to deeply contemplate the precept and work out for ourselves what is right for us (in any given moment) - with the understanding that our choices and understanding *will* change with time as our practice deepens. Well worth contemplating...

[@UtterlyAmazingVideos]

A great way of looking at it. A similar approach could be taken when looking at all the other precepts too

[@dand9259]

Do you no of any in the Uk ?

[@c-mandawg]

Thank you for this

[@Zenways_zen]

You're very welcome

[@toketheoldman]

The last bit... is he talking about the "Sangha" as "the mistakes of the past and the intention of a better future" or is he talking about something else "San - Gey" ??

[@Zenways_zen]

The word 'sangha' refers to the community of fellow practitioners. Sange literally means 'regret and resolve' and refers to our acknowledgement of past unwholesome acts and our resolve not to repeat them again.

[@simeondawkins6358]

i tried doing zen twice now first time we sat on horrible cushens and body was in great pain and also I watched people do a zen walk also the second time I just watched as people did zen walk me I just stayed in the inner stillness flow regardless of what body wanted to do the walks pointless daft sorry even the gong is just ritual means noting just appeances image

[@wthomas5697]

I don't really understand why anyone "formally" becomes anything. It doesn't seem like that would change anything for me.

[@simeondawkins6358]

yes it all has life in it and that life is U once massive ocean of life acting as all forms

[@simeondawkins6358]

yep have intergreated most of the shadow side its disturbing lol the last of ego is staying most love polarized yet its capable of eveil if its nessersary

[@simeondawkins6358]

what i need a group of people that's working for full enlightenment as direct as possible I do not care about the rules the robes none of that just wanna finish enlightenment also I don't wanna be to good to kind I may need to do wrong in order to save someone etc

[@CryptoTonight9393]

If you think enlightenment is something to finish or even can be "finished" you've missed the point. You're attachment is showing :P

[@a.n.c.australia]

Refer to the mu-koan :)

[@simeondawkins6358]

wanted to know truth years ago found a few real teachers including a german women living a normal life she was in nivana free unable to suffer

[@dannymckenzie8329]

The short answer, nothing. The long answer, It means it could be something but it isnt really because it's not a thing.

[@simeondawkins6358]

the last of ego has no intrest in rules its found out that good evil all of it is just ideas not truth

[@chrislewis3372]

to be true Buddhist you find peace in death.

[@nolaclifford3077]

I agree with that

[@simeondawkins6358]

budda still ate meat if hes given it he did not care less even if he was given human flesh he's beyond good eveil

[@superthoughts9611]

These r just spirits. Not God. After death where u will go? No eternal life. Jesus Christ alone is t way t truth and the life.

[@LanderFoxx]

There are many paths in life if Jesus is yours good for you.

[@jemts5586]

Who says there's anything after death, let alone eternal life? At the end of the day, no one's religion has proof that convinces everyone. You're barking up the wrong tree.