RE: Do you have any interest in the philosophies of introflection pioneered by Buddhism?
January 12, 2024 at 6:02 pm
(This post was last modified: January 12, 2024 at 6:12 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
Not knowing much about zen is a good setup for a zen joke.
The book you have is very explicitly about modern revisionist buddhism. Zen is mahayana. Or, at least, it started out that way - but it got alot of purchase in the west due to our interactions with japan. Other (historical) forms lean into tradition and scripture and ritual and dogma, zen leans out. Zen is the "just sitting" kind (that's where it gets it's name), that regards the pursuit of enlightenment as futile. Insomuch as there's a cycle of suffering you will be locked into it, no matter how much study or meditation you do.
You can probably see how this appealed to feudal warlords.
The book you have is very explicitly about modern revisionist buddhism. Zen is mahayana. Or, at least, it started out that way - but it got alot of purchase in the west due to our interactions with japan. Other (historical) forms lean into tradition and scripture and ritual and dogma, zen leans out. Zen is the "just sitting" kind (that's where it gets it's name), that regards the pursuit of enlightenment as futile. Insomuch as there's a cycle of suffering you will be locked into it, no matter how much study or meditation you do.
You can probably see how this appealed to feudal warlords.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
