Religious Practice as Nonseparation

This talk continues my discussion of revisioning religious practice for the 21st century. It is based on how I understand Buddhism to be evolving in the west and how I see OzZen as being part of what I am calling the fourth way: “The OzZen Way is an attempt to do a preliminary sketch of how we fit into the larger pantheon of global Buddhism, and then, how we fit into Western Buddhism and what kind of Western Buddhist project we are cultivating - to become more conscious and intentional of this”. The talk also discusses how many westerners feel uncomfortable with religious practices such as rituals and liturgy. It includes a discussion about Zen Priests and the Jukai ceremony and the difference between no gain and for gain as applied to ritual, and I will use liturgy and bowing as two case examples. Finally, I will conclude with describing OzZen as a broad church, an expression that comes from my previous engagement with the Anglican church, many years ago