Zen

The Western Zen? In my experience it is downgraded from being a religion to being a system of practice which relieves it of the broader Mahayana cosmology. But I would suggest the dogma is less obvious but still there, often just somewhere else, such as in its own limitations, or in a philosophical container at a higher level such as scientism.

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bensyverson 5 hours ago | parent [-]

All Zen is about releasing those attachments. Granted it's pretty hard, because if you succeed, you're enlightened.

East, West, Religion, Practice… From a Zen perspective, you're just troubling your mind with binaries and conflict.

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svnt 4 hours ago | parent [-]

Ah and there is the dogma -- the otherness of the enlightened.

The binaries still functionally exist. I see a lot of value in reflective practices. At the same time it seems unlikely to me that the point of existing is to not trouble your mind.

	▲	bensyverson 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		There's a saying in Zen: if you meet the buddha on the road, kill him. The point being, the very exaltation of enlightenment is an impediment. If Buddhism can be said to have a goal, it is to reduce suffering (including your own), so troubling your own mind is indeed something it can help with. The point of existence would be something interesting to meditate on. If you discover it, let us all know!