zonkered.net

Brad Warner posted his latest article, Women, Evolution, and Buddhism, to Suicide Girls this morning, and while most of is interesting and affirms a major part of why I’ve left Christianity for Buddhism (besides, you know, the whole not really believing in God thing), there’s one part that makes me go hmm:

Historically Buddhism has been much better to women than any of the other major religions*. To be sure, there are examples of times when certain Buddhists have treated women just as badly as any other religion. But in doing so these Buddhists have gone against the explicit directions of the founder of their faith.

The part that makes me think is that I’m pretty sure Jesus Christ never declared women to be inferior to men.  Now after his death, it certainly went that way – even among some of he disciples (hi, Paul) – but I don;t think it was the intention.  But then again, I haven’t read the bible since I was 13.

The article is a well-worth reading, though, and I highly recommend it.

So I’ve been interested in Zen Buddhism for a while, have been collecting books, and meditating in my own fail-y way in the spare room, and have decided that I want to pursue this properly.  Eventually I’m going to go to the New York Zen Center for meditation lessons, but since the Zen Center is a) in Brooklyn and b) gives meditation instruction on Sunday mornings at 9:30, it may take awhile to overcome the laziness.  In the meantime, I’ve been looking into what else I need to do this right, and have been struck by two things:

1. You need a surprising amount of stuff for a minimalist tradition
2. If I ever have any hope of creating a zen corner in my apartment, I need to get rid of some of my crap.

Since I’m currently living in somewhat reduced circumstances, I’ve started on the latter, and so far this morning I’ve pitched a cardboard cat house, two bags of trash, and one bag of recycling.  Later, when I’m dressed and can brave the freaking cold again, I’ll take out more stuff.

I’ve also been brainstorming how to create an altar without spending a whole lot of money.  I already figure that one of my pashmina scarves (purchased for $5 on a corner) will work for a cloth.  I may be able to use one of my many bowls as an incense bowl, but the purchase of incense, incense ash, a Buddha, and a candle will have to be purchased, but shouldn’t be too expensive.

The only other problem is where to put all of this…