FAITH-BASED SPIRITUALITY AND
EXPERIENCE-BASED SPIRITUALITY
Japanese mothers used to try to curb their children’s mischief by saying,
“If you aren’t good, a spook will get you,” or “a child snatcher will come for
you.”
I remember being scolded like that myself as a child. Spirituality based on
faith follows a similar model of trying to guide people using certain images
and ideas. On the other hand, spirituality based on experience leads people to
peace by having them perceive reality clearly, thereby ridding them of fear:
Wither’d pampas grass —
that was all it really was,
the ghost that I saw.
…
Zen is at the forefront of experience-based religions. I often say that Zen
is not a religion. But if salvation is considered the task of religion, it is.
However, unlike faith-based religions, Zen rejects concepts and beliefs as a
means of knowing the truth. Instead it aims to help us perceive reality and to
find peace of mind based on that reality. Reality is what we really are:
namely, our True Self. When we discover what we are, we experience peace of
mind and continue to live day by day in infinite tranquility and complete
satisfaction. What more do we need?
~ Zen: The Authentic Gate ~
~ Zen Master Koun Yamada ~
