Walking the Zen Christian Path

Summary

The speaker, a Buddhist Christian, reflects on his spiritual journey that began in California and led him to Japan, where he immersed himself in a different consciousness, culture, and religion. As a 'marginal man,' he identifies as a bridge between cultures, facilitating the integration of Eastern wisdom into Western lives. His experiences with Zen meditation, teaching, and haiku writing have deepened his understanding of Christianity, emphasizing the primacy of direct experience and mindfulness.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The speaker's name, 'Hung Dole,' symbolizes accompaniment and crossing over, reflecting his journey and role as a bridge between cultures.
• 📚 He was born in California and entered the Jesuits at a young age, seeking a spiritual path rather than a career as a priest.
• 🎓 After 15 years of Jesuit training, he became a priest and embarked on a physical and spiritual pilgrimage to Japan, aiming to immerse in a different consciousness and culture.
• 🏫 In Japan, he helped establish a junior senior high school in Hiroshima and identified as a 'marginal man,' living on the fringes of both Japanese and American cultures.
• 🧘 He discovered his true calling in directing retreats and transitioned to become a spiritual director, delving deeper into Zen Buddhism and its meditative practices.
• 🤝 The speaker sees himself as a bridge, facilitating the crossing over of Westerners to gain Eastern insights and integrate them into their lives.
• 📝 His experiences in Japan led to a profound understanding and teaching of mindfulness, meditation, and the direct experience of reality, as exemplified by haiku poetry.
• 🏞️ He built the 'Path of the White Dragon' in Japan, symbolizing his love for working with the earth and creating spaces for meditation and contemplation.
• 🌱 The concept of the 'Pure Land' in Buddhism aligns with the Christian idea of forgiveness through sincere repentance and turning to God.
• 🕊️ Hakuin's poem emphasizes the transformative power of meditation, where sins or waywardness are annihilated, leading to a state of purity and connection with the divine source.
• 💡 The speaker's identity as a 'Buddhist Christian' highlights the integration of Buddhist insights with Christian beliefs, enriching his understanding and practice of spirituality.

Q & A

What is the significance of the name 'Hung' in the speaker's life?

The name 'Hung' signifies 'to accompany' in the speaker's life, reflecting his role as a companion or guide, particularly in helping people cross over or integrate different aspects of life and culture.

What does the term 'pilgrim' mean in the context of the speaker's journey?

In the context of the speaker's journey, 'pilgrim' originates from Latin and means to go to a place away from one's own field or home. It represents a spiritual journey, which for the speaker, was his move to Japan and the subsequent exploration of a different consciousness, culture, and religion.

Why did the speaker initially join the Jesuits?

The speaker joined the Jesuits because he was interested in a spiritual path, and the Jesuits were the most accessible religious community at the time. He also had friends who were joining, and he tagged along despite feeling insecure about the decision.

What role did the speaker play in Hiroshima after moving to Japan?

The speaker was sent by the California Jesuits to help build and start a junior senior high school in Hiroshima. He taught there for six years and was successful in bringing students to national championships in English speaking contests.

What does the term 'marginal man' mean to the speaker?

The term 'marginal man' refers to someone who is on the margin or edge of different cultures, languages, and religions. The speaker identifies as such because he feels he is on the margin of both Japanese and American cultures and religions, which allows him to be a bridge between them.

How does the speaker describe his experience with Zen?

The speaker describes his experience with Zen as a profound learning process that began with a gut feeling to attend a Zen group at an old temple called Jo Myoji. His Zen master guided him to integrate Zen practices with his Christian faith, leading to a deeper understanding of both.

What is the significance of the name given to the speaker by young religious people?

The name given to the speaker, combining 'Han' meaning 'to accompany' and 'Dope' meaning 'to cross over', signifies his role as a guide who accompanies people in crossing over or integrating different aspects of life, similar to the concept of a bridge.

How does the speaker's experience with teaching English in Japan relate to his spiritual journey?

The speaker's experience teaching English in Japan, particularly teaching haiku writing, reflects his fascination with the Japanese consciousness and the direct experience of reality that haiku represents. This ties into his spiritual journey by emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and meditation.

What is the concept of 'Pure Land' in the context of the speaker's meditation practice?

In the context of the speaker's meditation practice, 'Pure Land' refers to a state of being where one is free from waywardness and is fully immersed in the flow of life force coming from the divine source. It represents a state of purity and enlightenment that can be achieved through deep meditation.

How does the speaker's understanding of Christianity been influenced by his experiences with Buddhism?

The speaker's understanding of Christianity has been profoundly enlightened by his experiences with Buddhism. He has integrated Buddhist practices such as meditation into his Christian faith, leading to a deeper comprehension of what Christianity is about and identifying himself as a 'Buddhist Christian'.

What is the significance of the labyrinth that the speaker built at the Mercy Center?

The labyrinth built at the Mercy Center is a physical representation of a spiritual path. It is designed to take people out of their linear thinking, allowing for deeper insights to arise. The labyrinth is a place where many have had profound spiritual experiences, reflecting the speaker's belief in the power of meditation and contemplation.