Inspiring to see you chose to abandon the culture of systematic violence and military might to search for a deeper understanding of who and what we really are. Sadu, sadu, sadu.
I disagree with inner minds eye. There are monks who are warriors as well. The differance is whether you choose to understand what you do, or whether you chooese to be content being a mindless drone. If you chooese to close your eyes to the reality of conflict for the sake of "peace", you do the struggle of humanity an insult.
While the intellectual knowledge is the only way we have now,to help us REMEMBER who we are and what should we experience...otherweise we can only experience the life of animals....knowledge and imagination open doors to new experiences
I was a marine alongside him and even then he was called Raiden because of his knowledge of eastern philosophy . I’m glad he has finally chosen a life that gives him happiness . See you on the other side brother :)
Roy Ferguson we used to discuss life with shamans in the jungles of India while we all drank together a concoction that altered our states of consciousness . Spirituality can open many doors for us . It’s a different realm . I was lucky to have been enlisted with him as a marine . It changed my life
@@olly3231 Zen isn’t a dogma, zen is the basic, spirituality starts from the basic. There is the other side but you’ll need a basis. Zen is one of the basis.
I was a US Army, 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper, after my service, I became a Peace Officer, graduated from law school while being a Peace Officer and in 1998-2000 I retired from it al. I too became a Zen Monk. The life I live today is without doubt, is the most rewarding time OF my life, meditation, self discipline learned from the my time in the military, patients and assisting others in need learned while in law enforcement, critical thinking skills brought for law school, have all come together in my Zen Practice. I love this video, I understand your decision to become a monk and I understand the feelings of joy brought about by your decision and practice; my family, local community, ( volunteer work) and myself Live a fuller, more rich and rewarding life because of the simple act of meditation. Thank you for your military service, thank you for your Practice and thank you for this video .... Three Deep Bows. From Yusan Yushin Zanshin Mill Valley California
Hello there fellow maroon beret wearing lawn dart. I was 82nd as well. I'm just starting my journey in zen. It's good to see a fellow airborne on the same path.
How is your aspiration progressing Connor? Never give up as this inclination towards the dharma is something that we have carried over from previous incarnations. Follow your heart and tread the path...
Zen is practically integrated into what the Japanese considered warfare; the way of the sword, plus also other practices like calligraphy and art, such as ken-zen-sho (剣禅書) sword zen writing !
I went through a similar thing, i was working in banking, making decent money, but never satisfied or happy. As i moved up the ladder, i was getting more and more unhappy. I was studying Buddhism and spirituality. Then it happened one day. I kept asking myself, who i am? I was walking to work and then it happened. At first i was scared, i quit my job, left the girl i was seeing. Sat at a park bench and exercise frequently for 1 and a half year. Everything was so peaceful. Now i am going back to banking, but this time, i will bring my presence there and no longer looking for happiness externally.
Both yes and no, spirituality has had many meanings through time and you will get different answers depending on how you ask, one interpretation being the individual's realization that he / she controls his or her own life and what is constantly changing is one's self. Or that the individuel is seeking the answer to life's big questions within himself rather than outside (outside kan be religious books, gods, politics etc) . Spirituality does not have to be associated with any religion or belief in a higher power or spirits and ghosts.
Makes good sense .... happiness is an interior job! .... Finding peace of mind is too! ..... No life damages a person as much ..... as a very imbalanced one! 💥
Vietnam Veteran, I came home and became a Quaker. I have read many books by Thich Nhat Hanh and feel a strong spiritual connection to Tiep Hien. My first Quaker Meeting I knew I had arrived 'home' as Thay says. I remain a Quaker, but continue to feel that connection to silent meditation of Chan / Taoism. Thanks for this posting Hoa Binh.
Interesting. I am Theravada Buddhist but I sometimes go to a Zen temple. I didn't realize that Zen monks could be married and have children. There may be no rules against that in Zen but there certainly is in the other paths. That's one of the countless things I love about Buddhism; different paths but the same core dhama. Namo Buddhaya! Namo Sanghaya! Namo Dhamaya!
It depends on the teacher. The lineage I'm learning doesn't have married monks because the teacher who came from Japan to start teachings and running monasteries in the West wanted monks to take a vow of chastity. So this group does. Obviously, as a lay practitioner that isn't necessary and we also have a lot of those. I'm just not studying with my goal simply to take the precepts and go from there. I'm in my mid-60s, female, single (more or less widowed) disabled from severe COPD/emphysema and end-stage liver disease. I started studying so I could face death as consciously as possible, then I didn't die. So I just take it day by day and do what's possible. Because I don't drive anymore, I spend much time at home, which gives me ample opportunities to sit zazen. In gassho.
@@GabrielleduVent they're not breaking the rules because they're not undertaking the rules. It's an unfortunate issue of limited vocabulary. This man isn't a bhikku in the Vinaya, and probably wouldn't claim to be. But he is *something*. In English, sometimes he'd be called a priest, but that's also not quite right.
@@GabrielleduVent This is a serious misunderstanding. Zen Monks don't ordain under the orthodox rules of the Vinaya, what you are mentioning only applies to monks who follow both the lay precepts and the non-lay precepts. Zen Monks only follow lay precepts.
Mimos Yaacoub It’s still just thoughts. You are the awareness behind them. The consciousnes behind them. I have videos on my channel explaining it. If you are interested, you could check the one on my YT called ”You are not your thoughts”. We suffer more in imagination than in reality - Seneca
I'm retired Navy and I'm very interested in Buddhism. At my age I have discovered that I can not sleep at night. I started practicing mindfulness and I slept like a baby. I served seven years at Yokosuka. Too career minded at the time. I love Japan and I love their culture. My home is in the Philippines now.
I am looking to do the same thing as a Navy veteran. I have no idea how to get started, and search engines aren't really coming up with anything helpful. Could you possibly offer some advice?
My Japanese Economics lecturer is a Zen Buddhist, he totally gotta see this. Great job as always, guys. I really hope that one day your project gets the attention it deserves. Your documentaries and the comedy side of Cris's work make my life (or at least my UA-cam experience) complete. :')
Many years ago (1989), whilst on a retreat, I met a monk from the Theravadan tradition - his name was Ahjan Anando. I couldn't help notice the indentation in the back of his head. It turned out that he had been a US marine and had served during the Vietnam war. He had been shot by a sniper in the back of his head but his helmet, and a lot of medical assistance, had saved his life. Whilst on R+R in Thailand he had been impressed by the lifestyle of the monks and eventually became one himself. I couldn't help but think about the strange way that his karma had unfolded. Sadly he died not long after I met him but he was a wonderful inspiration.
We are the universe and the universe is us. We live, we die but what is important is that we experience we are happy. When we die, we are not erased. We are part of the universe, not separate from it. Life and death are just states and no matter what state you are in, you will always exist one way or another either as a memory or a as a sleeping clouds of atoms and energy drifting along the current of the cosmos. You are the universe and the universe is you. You are everything and everything is you but reality is not going to give you everything on silver platter, you need to work hard to achieve things and that is the beauty of being alive, it gives you a choice and a chance to experience and achieve.
Homeless again, sleeping under an overpass, I too became a Zen monk. Only when I learned that being an Airborne Ranger could not fulfill my spiritual journey did I truly embrace the Zen path.
i'm also a zen priest and will be moving to a temple in japan in a few days. i look at this film and see my life as very similar-although i have been a university lecturer and not a marine. i enjoyed the video very much. bowing, shodo
I was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan and later in Futenma, Okinawa when I was in the Corps in the mid 70's. I loved Japan. I admire you, Marine. Well done.
thank you for sharing. i practice buddhism and i am in the us airforce as an aircraft maintainer. i do not know any other buddhists, a lot of time i feel alone because my peers do not understand my way of life. being in the military, it is a struggle for me to keep my peace, but i try my best. thank you, blessings!!!
Sitting here in Ireland, visiting, after 8 months in Orkney, Scotland, England and Ireland. I am heading back to visit California before choosing Dual Citizenship, and life in my father's country, Scotland. This video sums up my day, learning my only suffering has truly come from my mind not accepting the infinite peace that is right here. My mind made up all the endless reasons I should be unhappy, and so I have been, for many days. I have been fighting what is, and doubting the winter's gift of peace, stillness, and solitude. I am grateful for your path and for sharing it here in this beautiful video. Aloha, Claire
@@Evld Zen itself is pretty non-religious. It doesn't say that there is or is not a God. Buddha himself said he was not a God, only a teacher, and one who was awake. Do you mean totally secular? You can find lots of secular training in meditation and the same principles without the "dogma," for lack of a better word. They tend to call them schools of mindfulness or meditation, rather than temples or monasteries.
Great to see another Marine walking the middle path. I spent a year in Japan and that is how i found buddhism. it has taken me some years and heartache to finally start taking buddhism more seriously. thanks for the amazing video and Semper Fi even if though i know that man has passed 😀
Octoberfurst I am a former soldier who took up meditation during relational problems. It gave me the strength to separate from my then partner. Who seemed to have been very unhappy in our relationship, but kept denying it was my fault. She is still unhappy in her life while I moved on an got married. I still meditate and I feel more certain that it does me good, and this is 20 years after that previous relationship, and 20 years since my first 10 day retreat, that gave me the courage to leave that relationship.
Hi Sharla, Are you in Japan right now? But i don’t know!!!🙄 How is it possible!!!🤔I am in somewhere in Asia. But didn’t let you know likewise 😉 lol. How are you Sharla after long 4 years. Surprising and painful to think that someday we all contemporary peoples of this planet will not exist someday. But the world will go on as before.😌😑😪
I was in the Army as an Infantryman for 8 years. I can really relate to this man. Nothing has helped me more than meditation. It’s hilarious that just sitting can nearly cure you.
I have been searching for truth since high school when I found my first Buddhist book in my school library that path lead me to serve also through three combat tours to Iraq I came upon you video watching the life of zen monks in temples I do zazen everyday I do not have any teachers around me so some days are harder then others what you have said spoke to me thank you
Very impressed by this man more than some top tier rich gurus. Love meditation and I love being vegan .. Noticed that all bad emotions just go away if you meditate. Space opens and they just float and just are there. Without it, there is no room for all emotions and they squeeze you from all sides. That was my experience.
The study of the ego is such a interesting thing. I had an ego death and I had to rethink my whole value system. It was brutal but as you build yourself back up it becomes empowering.
Former FMF Corpsman here. I'm Jewish and became more observant once I left the infantry. It's a beautiful life. I had the opportunity to train with the Royal Thai Marines on deployment. Come to find out, most of them spent two years at Buddhist seminary before drafting into the military. We learned a lot from them.
I really appreciated this video. I'm an army veteran, airborne, and I was in for 6 years. I always left a little strange about my past and how that aligns with my current path (I don't plan on being a Buddhist Nun, but I do follow many Buddhist practices.) This video and many of the comments here have shown that there are many others that follow a similar path after their military service. I am both surprised and not surprised. While there are many reasons to follow a spiritual path, I do think that trauma might be a common motivator for many and maybe that could be one possible connection.
Słowa tego wspaniałego człowieka dały mi do myślenia. Dziękuję za robienie takich filmów, mam nadzieję, że będziecie to kontynuować i osiągniecie należyty sukces (chociaż film już sam w sobie jest sukcesem) ^^.
This was amazing im studying mediation and doing a 7 day of mindfulness program it really helps me with stress and anxiety I feel at peace after a session
Podzieliłem się tym filmem z wieloma przyjaciółmi i najbliższymi, bo po prostu jestem pełen podziwu dla waszej pracy i pełen respektu dla Scotta. :) Film daje do myślenia i zupełnie deklasuje youtube jaki znam.
It's amazing how battle hardened men can go from trained killing machines to buisnessmen on wall street, and then to peaceful and wise people truly connected to the beautiful side of life and spirituality. A Buddhist monk. Life and fate truly has It's ways.
United States Army Veteran here, currently I am a Buddhist practitioner (layperson, not a monk) in the Plum Village tradition. Great to see so many fellow Vets on the path.
Jedne z najlepszych 9 minut spędzonych na youtube! Gratuluję Wam, bo stworzyliście coś co ogląda się przyjemnie/lekko, a jednocześnie daje do myślenia. Bardzo fajnie zmontowane, każdy wyniesie z tego pewną część dla siebie... Dzięki za Waszą pracę :)
Best piece of you up to date. Keep it like this. If you ever meet him again, please tell him that his wisdom is inspiration even on the other side of the globe. Cheers!
TheUwagaPies Kasia, greetings! Just saw this video...I've longed to do something like this. I hope this isn't too much to ask but could you please find a way to reach out to him again and ask him what process he had to go through to move to Japan and do this? Please let him know that I'm in a similar situation in the US and would really like the guidance to make this journey too. :( Thank you for this video, it's given me hope!
Rob Monty Hi Rob! He came here due to the military and was able to stay because his wife is Japanese. Here is his blog, you can contact him through it - www.edaruma.com/
Not a marine, but i practice kendo so in a way i felt in the same line...also a zen monk, planning to travel to japan, would love to meet more people in this path
stress is resolved by understanding the stress and it's point of origin of the stress... from here it is about understanding what the stress needs in order to release it completely.... follow the questions in your mind until they dissolve... the answer will be at the end!
@@tsc7445 all are same..stoicism and Buddhism there are so many similarities. By looking down upon other ancient philosphies you are feeding your own Ego/knowledge. The purpose of Buddhism or any other Indian religions was to kill that Ego.
@@lex3729 theres darkness in all traditions and humans will always use things that could be otherwise positive in evil ways. We can look past that and uplift the positive values within ourselves.
@@lex3729 i strongly support Buddhist monk for whatever they r doing with muslim and i expect more muslim can kill non believers in the name of allah and shout allah hu akbar they Buddhist monk also massacre those muslim mercilessly without any second thought.this is called TIT FOR TAT.
I'm just now finding this. I was in the U.S. Navy for 4 years as a first gen immigrant from the Philippines. Very early into my military career I made the decision to not pursue more years in the military and found myself depleted of energy after my time of service due to the soullessness of the entire system. I find the same in the endless pursuit in the civilian side. I've been meaning to visit monasteries after this pandemic is over. I've been sitting zazen most nights for about a month now and have really opened by heart and mind to become free of the illusion of separation, something that as Scot said, is supported by military principles. Thank you for this video. It is truly meaningful to find people who are on a similar path.
My story is very similar; active duty army 16 years, two combat tours, studying finance with hopes of going into the personal finance sphere, spent 4 years as a realtor (loved the people and the independence of being self employed, hated the pursuit of money and the shady dealings), been working for the federal government for years (single parent) but steady on the path since 2014... In 2030 I plan to move overseas to study Buddhism... It's my life's goal.
Dear Scott, you are so blessed to have Jinen San as your Living Buddha Master. I pray to be in Japan someday and meet you both. Thank you a lot! You have inspired me!
Regardless of religion or belief, meditation is simply amazing and everyone should learn how to do it. To sit and forget about everything good or bad, to clear the mind and reset our thoughts and be at peace. Especially nowadays when life is a constant struggle, a small refresh of the mind really does go a long way.
Very nice video and very pleasant to watch for some reason. I'm happy for Scott that he's found something that's satisfying to him, especially after such a devastating loss. Honestly, some of the philosophical statements he made I couldn't really relate to, but I like the idea of mindfulness in principle, and I think the Japanese monk summarized it excellently at the end. It's really comforting to know that peace is within ourselves if we can just be content with it and accept life objectively.
We can't relate because we have never been taught the importance of being absolutely idle. The silence gives some profound truths which your constantly running mind can never give.
Really valuable video. It egged me on to find our more about meditation and I started to meditate. I can't wait to see more like this - 'expanding the horizons'. I believe there are more people who will be interested in this content, you just have to reach that audience. I am a lasting spectator. P.S. Apart from this video - you excellently hit the radical right - wing while not being an extreme left - wing. Balance is a good choice. I value your common sense. Really great thank to youtube I could get to know you. Keep going, peace!
In my youth I took vows to become a Zen Buddhist monk. I was a practicing novitiate for over a year. Then years later I would return and live at the same temple, practicing as before. The one thing I don't completely agree with, although I understand why they say this, is that they claim that one sits or does some other form of meditation for "no reason." Of course, if you have an agenda when you go into it it defeats the whole purpose. And yet, if there truly is no reason in doing it, it begs the question of why do it in the first place? No one does anything for absolutely "no reason." On some level, even in Zen, there's a purpose for doing it.
In the western world meditation is an action. An action performed to accomplish 'some' thing. Therefore, ego based. In Japan, zazen is an experience. A state of being... a noun rather than a verb as in the western sense.
Im going to clear some misunderstanding s. you can have a family and be a monk. The Buddha himself gave a discourse to a married couple on how to live together and achieve satori. since Buddhism left India , certain things were changed. Japanese Buddhism went back to Indian roots thanks to people such as shonin and shinren . You have a choice of living two ways, as a monk or laymen. Both have different techniques towards enlightenment. Both get you there.
Mr P u could check up, the difference of buddhist ordained monk vs a lay practitioner, and a lay priest or is a dharma teacher. its the same in any monastery in thai, india, sri lanka, tibet, .. when one renounce ordinary living to enter into anmonastic life as an ordained monk or nun, its means no more marriage, no more sex rgdless of any partner proper or not. u check it up.
@@zopaseah4982 Not all lineages do that. There is a monastery in San Francisco that includes a number of other monasteries and guest houses in the mountains of Northern California. That group does allow monks to marry and live together at the monstery. I guess from what I read, not that many do, though. Even though the group I'm involved with is also Zen Buddhism, with a teacher who came from Japan, she trained her monks differently and they don't marry.
![[EN] Life of Zen](/img/n.gif)
I was in the U.S. Air Force for 9 years and now I am a Theravada monk its great to see other service members on the path
SanathaVihari Losangeles Glad you stumbled upon this!
Inspiring to see you chose to abandon the culture of systematic violence and military might to search for a deeper understanding of who and what we really are.
Sadu, sadu, sadu.
Sanathavihari Los Angeles thank u for serving
Namo Buddhay🙇♂️
I disagree with inner minds eye. There are monks who are warriors as well. The differance is whether you choose to understand what you do, or whether you chooese to be content being a mindless drone. If you chooese to close your eyes to the reality of conflict for the sake of "peace", you do the struggle of humanity an insult.
"No amount of intellectual knowledge is going to satisfy the need for experience."
.
Hit right at home.
Yes, rational knowledge is fruit of perceptional knowledge. Buddha has classified knowledge in three layers: Pariyati, Patipati and Patibedh.
You say that but I am not gonna watch the female Ghostbusters movie.
While the intellectual knowledge is the only way we have now,to help us REMEMBER who we are and what should we experience...otherweise we can only experience the life of animals....knowledge and imagination open doors to new experiences
Wow! All really good point!
Thanks for the replies, people! Appreciate these new perspectives!
I was a marine alongside him and even then he was called Raiden because of his knowledge of eastern philosophy . I’m glad he has finally chosen a life that gives him happiness . See you on the other side brother :)
for real...can you please say more please
I have a genuine interest. my friend
Roy Ferguson we used to discuss life with shamans in the jungles of India while we all drank together a concoction that altered our states of consciousness . Spirituality can open many doors for us . It’s a different realm . I was lucky to have been enlisted with him as a marine . It changed my life
Beautiful
There's no "other side" in Zen.
@@olly3231
Zen isn’t a dogma, zen is the basic, spirituality starts from the basic. There is the other side but you’ll need a basis. Zen is one of the basis.
I was a US Army, 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper, after my service, I became a Peace Officer, graduated from law school while being a Peace Officer and in 1998-2000 I retired from it al. I too became a Zen Monk. The life I live today is without doubt, is the most rewarding time OF my life, meditation, self discipline learned from the my time in the military, patients and assisting others in need learned while in law enforcement, critical thinking skills brought for law school, have all come together in my Zen Practice. I love this video, I understand your decision to become a monk and I understand the feelings of joy brought about by your decision and practice; my family, local community, ( volunteer work) and myself Live a fuller, more rich and rewarding life because of the simple act of meditation. Thank you for your military service, thank you for your Practice and thank you for this video .... Three Deep Bows.
From Yusan Yushin Zanshin
Mill Valley California
My dad was 82nd airborne too
I'm very impressed by your dedication. May you attain enlightenment.
Airborne All The Way!
Hello there fellow maroon beret wearing lawn dart. I was 82nd as well. I'm just starting my journey in zen. It's good to see a fellow airborne on the same path.
How can you be so smart and be so stupid? Come to Jesus. ua-cam.com/video/eEzE3cHJZhM/v-deo.html
I'm only a kid in middle school, but I want to become a Buddhist monk, I've had this goal for a bit now. :D
Connor Ward why not christian monk?
How is your aspiration progressing Connor?
Never give up as this inclination towards the dharma is something that we have carried over from previous incarnations.
Follow your heart and tread the path...
I have similiar goal also, but not sure where to go.
Connor Ward - Never give up!
Make the best of your current rebirth, though it is still a long way to go to end rebirth and sufferings
from fighting for a country to fighting for your own liberation . youve come a long way , friend . Wish you all the very best !
It is the way
Starvin Marvin Cringe is such an overused term, you must not get out much if this cringes you out lmao
awesome. true.
he wasn't fighting for his country, he was fighting to make some people more rich with all the oil they stole from the middle east
@@odalchiszaratutu6793 you think so?
Not uncommon for former warriors to become monks
Pavan Kumar
He is basically the grandfather of the monks.
Zen is practically integrated into what the Japanese considered warfare; the way of the sword, plus also other practices like calligraphy and art, such as ken-zen-sho (剣禅書) sword zen writing !
Pavan Kumar
I was married in South India :)
The inner peace and sense of calmness that this practice brings is truly amazing for those that have seen some unholy things.
@Pavan Kumar & china too for Shaolin temple kung fu
I went through a similar thing, i was working in banking, making decent money, but never satisfied or happy. As i moved up the ladder, i was getting more and more unhappy. I was studying Buddhism and spirituality. Then it happened one day. I kept asking myself, who i am? I was walking to work and then it happened. At first i was scared, i quit my job, left the girl i was seeing. Sat at a park bench and exercise frequently for 1 and a half year. Everything was so peaceful. Now i am going back to banking, but this time, i will bring my presence there and no longer looking for happiness externally.
Sephs Vi l
O my dear friend if you want to know more about yourself plzzz Search Acharya Prashant video u tube.
God bless you.
Thank you
Both yes and no, spirituality has had many meanings through time and you will get different answers depending on how you ask, one interpretation being the individual's realization that he / she controls his or her own life and what is constantly changing is one's self. Or that the individuel is seeking the answer to life's big questions within himself rather than outside (outside kan be religious books, gods, politics etc) .
Spirituality does not have to be associated with any religion or belief in a higher power or spirits and ghosts.
Do let me know if your company is hiring.
Makes good sense .... happiness is an interior job! .... Finding peace of mind is too! ..... No life damages a person as much ..... as a very imbalanced one! 💥
It's incredible to read the comments and see how many fellow service members have this same mindset. Very inspiring.
Vietnam Veteran, I came home and became a Quaker. I have read many books by Thich Nhat Hanh and feel a strong spiritual connection to Tiep Hien. My first Quaker Meeting I knew I had arrived 'home' as Thay says. I remain a Quaker, but continue to feel that connection to silent meditation of Chan / Taoism. Thanks for this posting Hoa Binh.
Interesting. I am Theravada Buddhist but I sometimes go to a Zen temple. I didn't realize that Zen monks could be married and have children. There may be no rules against that in Zen but there certainly is in the other paths. That's one of the countless things I love about Buddhism; different paths but the same core dhama.
Namo Buddhaya!
Namo Sanghaya!
Namo Dhamaya!
It depends on the teacher. The lineage I'm learning doesn't have married monks because the teacher who came from Japan to start teachings and running monasteries in the West wanted monks to take a vow of chastity. So this group does. Obviously, as a lay practitioner that isn't necessary and we also have a lot of those.
I'm just not studying with my goal simply to take the precepts and go from there. I'm in my mid-60s, female, single (more or less widowed) disabled from severe COPD/emphysema and end-stage liver disease. I started studying so I could face death as consciously as possible, then I didn't die.
So I just take it day by day and do what's possible. Because I don't drive anymore, I spend much time at home, which gives me ample opportunities to sit zazen. In gassho.
Only Japanese Zen monks can married and have a own wealth too. It doesn't make sense to me.
Eat when hungry.
@@GabrielleduVent they're not breaking the rules because they're not undertaking the rules. It's an unfortunate issue of limited vocabulary. This man isn't a bhikku in the Vinaya, and probably wouldn't claim to be. But he is *something*. In English, sometimes he'd be called a priest, but that's also not quite right.
@@GabrielleduVent This is a serious misunderstanding. Zen Monks don't ordain under the orthodox rules of the Vinaya, what you are mentioning only applies to monks who follow both the lay precepts and the non-lay precepts. Zen Monks only follow lay precepts.
You are not your thoughts, realize this and you will find peace.
May I ask how did you get to that conclusion?
Mimos Yaacoub Daily meditation bro
@@BasedBrothers my conclusiom was that you are nothing but your thoughts and since your thoughts are ever-changing then so is "self"
Mimos Yaacoub It’s still just thoughts. You are the awareness behind them. The consciousnes behind them. I have videos on my channel explaining it. If you are interested, you could check the one on my YT called ”You are not your thoughts”.
We suffer more in imagination than in reality - Seneca
Yeah, well, there's a little more to it, Mr. UA-cam comment zen master
I'm retired Navy and I'm very interested in Buddhism. At my age I have discovered that I can not sleep at night. I started practicing mindfulness and I slept like a baby. I served seven years at Yokosuka. Too career minded at the time. I love Japan and I love their culture. My home is in the Philippines now.
I'm a Marine veteran turned Buddhist. I know of only two other Marines turned monks. Look up Michael-Vu Nguyen and Darren Lamb. Proud of my brothers.
I am looking to do the same thing as a Navy veteran. I have no idea how to get started, and search engines aren't really coming up with anything helpful. Could you possibly offer some advice?
There is no need for pride. ;-)
Force of habit from the past, I guess. :-)
Ur user name is my fav drink lol
I was an 1842, amtrac crewman, USMC. I've been trying to follow the Buddhist path for many years now. Someday I may get it right! :)
i actually had a buddhist in my bootcamp and he was the oldest in our group . Its more common than you thought .
Many Samurai when they retired became Zen Monks. I am happy to see soldiers finding peace with themselves when they have found their Path.
My Japanese Economics lecturer is a Zen Buddhist, he totally gotta see this. Great job as always, guys. I really hope that one day your project gets the attention it deserves. Your documentaries and the comedy side of Cris's work make my life (or at least my UA-cam experience) complete. :')
Many years ago (1989), whilst on a retreat, I met a monk from the Theravadan tradition - his name was Ahjan Anando. I couldn't help notice the indentation in the back of his head. It turned out that he had been a US marine and had served during the Vietnam war. He had been shot by a sniper in the back of his head but his helmet, and a lot of medical assistance, had saved his life. Whilst on R+R in Thailand he had been impressed by the lifestyle of the monks and eventually became one himself. I couldn't help but think about the strange way that his karma had unfolded. Sadly he died not long after I met him but he was a wonderful inspiration.
Loved this...we are everything and we are nothing at the same time...
The place beyond words and the need to label everything. It just is and you just are.
What about it do you love?
We are the universe and the universe is us.
We live, we die but what is important is that we experience we are happy.
When we die, we are not erased.
We are part of the universe, not separate from it.
Life and death are just states and no matter what state you are in, you will always exist one way or another either as a memory or a as a sleeping clouds of atoms and energy drifting along the current of the cosmos.
You are the universe and the universe is you.
You are everything and everything is you but reality is not going to give you everything on silver platter, you need to work hard to achieve things and that is the beauty of being alive, it gives you a choice and a chance to experience and achieve.
First thought was "I must consult with the elder gods." but props to this dude.
Raiden
Homeless again, sleeping under an overpass, I too became a Zen monk. Only when I learned that being an Airborne Ranger could not fulfill my spiritual journey did I truly embrace the Zen path.
i'm also a zen priest and will be moving to a temple in japan in a few days. i look at this film and see my life as very similar-although i have been a university lecturer and not a marine. i enjoyed the video very much. bowing, shodo
Shodo Ji Shin Thank you. Let us know when you move here :)
i will be there on july 21. i lived there between 2005-2008. this time i do not plan on leaving. ;)
Maybe we can meet up!
that would be cool. Next week i be in obama, (fukui) at bukkokuji
+Shodo Ji Shin I will be in Obama ?
I was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan and later in Futenma, Okinawa when I was in the Corps in the mid 70's. I loved Japan. I admire you, Marine. Well done.
thank you for sharing. i practice buddhism and i am in the us airforce as an aircraft maintainer. i do not know any other buddhists, a lot of time i feel alone because my peers do not understand my way of life. being in the military, it is a struggle for me to keep my peace, but i try my best. thank you, blessings!!!
Sorry for the late reply... You got this sister!
Fantastic work! Already saw it when it was first released on Vimeo, but gems like this deserve to be re-watched over and over again.
nadal wszyscy się oszukują ze oglądają to odbiorcy posługujący się angielskim jako podstawowym jezykiem :)
Ogarnij się gimbusie
co rozumiesz przez "posługiwanie się jerzykiem"?
Dobre, spodziewałam się innej odpowiedzi :]
haha śmieszne
Sitting here in Ireland, visiting, after 8 months in Orkney, Scotland, England and Ireland. I am heading back to visit California before choosing Dual Citizenship, and life in my father's country, Scotland. This video sums up my day, learning my only suffering has truly come from my mind not accepting the infinite peace that is right here. My mind made up all the endless reasons I should be unhappy, and so I have been, for many days. I have been fighting what is, and doubting the winter's gift of peace, stillness, and solitude. I am grateful for your path and for sharing it here in this beautiful video. Aloha, Claire
Hi. Are there any good non religious monasteries out there in the UK or Ireland?
@@Evld Zen itself is pretty non-religious. It doesn't say that there is or is not a God. Buddha himself said he was not a God, only a teacher, and one who was awake. Do you mean totally secular? You can find lots of secular training in meditation and the same principles without the "dogma," for lack of a better word. They tend to call them schools of mindfulness or meditation, rather than temples or monasteries.
Great to see another Marine walking the middle path. I spent a year in Japan and that is how i found buddhism.
it has taken me some years and heartache to finally start taking buddhism more seriously. thanks for the amazing video and Semper Fi even if though i know that man has passed 😀
+jack johnson an interesting message from the Dalai Lama www.dalailama.com/messages/world-peace/the-reality-of-war
Love Buddhism, helps me be more human, understand the world better. I become less attach to material things when I try to follow the teaching 🙏❤👍
I met this guy outside Fuchu station last October when I was going to Tokyo Racecourse!
Damn I used to live there around that time! I must have missed him...
I loved this video! I am a former Marine and am studying to be a Zen priest. I can so relate to this. Please make more videos like this. :-)
Octoberfurst - good luck brother!
Octoberfurst
I am a former soldier who took up meditation during relational problems. It gave me the strength to separate from my then partner. Who seemed to have been very unhappy in our relationship, but kept denying it was my fault. She is still unhappy in her life while I moved on an got married. I still meditate and I feel more certain that it does me good, and this is 20 years after that previous relationship, and 20 years since my first 10 day retreat, that gave me the courage to leave that relationship.
*From Marine to Mandarin* ^^
An anagram of "marine" is "man ire". An obvious anagram of "mandarin" is "man darin". :-)
Can't wait to see more like this!
Thank you :)
Sharla
Sharla in Japan you are so beautiful and love your videos:)
Sharla in Japan hiiii i watch your stuff. Awesome finding you here. Lol
Hi Sharla, Are you in Japan right now? But i don’t know!!!🙄 How is it possible!!!🤔I am in somewhere in Asia. But didn’t let you know likewise 😉 lol. How are you Sharla after long 4 years. Surprising and painful to think that someday we all contemporary peoples of this planet will not exist someday. But the world will go on as before.😌😑😪
I'd like to see the documentary: From Zen Monk to US Marine.
Is that even possible lol.
lol, you win
@Private Notitia nah, that's a false hope
Gen. Mattis comes to mind.
lmaooo
Interesting, happy and modest guy....lovely video.
This is amazing. I will be leaving my house soon to start my path to become a Zen Monk. I will be living at Deer Park Monastery in California.
Thomas Hollingsworth sounds way better than chasing tha American Dream
Its sad Im not from the same place maybe Id join you. Not sure where to go now.
Thomas Hollingsworth - good luck!
Any update 2 years later, friend?
@@pmshrevecomm no wifi in the temple
I was in the Army as an Infantryman for 8 years. I can really relate to this man. Nothing has helped me more than meditation. It’s hilarious that just sitting can nearly cure you.
I have been searching for truth since high school when I found my first Buddhist book in my school library that path lead me to serve also through three combat tours to Iraq I came upon you video watching the life of zen monks in temples I do zazen everyday I do not have any teachers around me so some days are harder then others what you have said spoke to me thank you
Very impressed by this man more than some top tier rich gurus. Love meditation and I love being vegan .. Noticed that all bad emotions just go away if you meditate. Space opens and they just float and just are there. Without it, there is no room for all emotions and they squeeze you from all sides. That was my experience.
The study of the ego is such a interesting thing. I had an ego death and I had to rethink my whole value system. It was brutal but as you build yourself back up it becomes empowering.
Former FMF Corpsman here. I'm Jewish and became more observant once I left the infantry. It's a beautiful life.
I had the opportunity to train with the Royal Thai Marines on deployment. Come to find out, most of them spent two years at Buddhist seminary before drafting into the military. We learned a lot from them.
I have the greatest respect for this man.
This deserves great respect! Greetings from Germany, i hope i will meet him someday, when i'm on my trip in Japan!
Always great to see some documentary about another buddhist, even from other school.
Good fortune on the middle way.
after studying buddhism for a long time i understand now what he means about sitting its really beautiful and peaceful
I really appreciated this video. I'm an army veteran, airborne, and I was in for 6 years. I always left a little strange about my past and how that aligns with my current path (I don't plan on being a Buddhist Nun, but I do follow many Buddhist practices.) This video and many of the comments here have shown that there are many others that follow a similar path after their military service. I am both surprised and not surprised. While there are many reasons to follow a spiritual path, I do think that trauma might be a common motivator for many and maybe that could be one possible connection.
So beautiful.
Greetings from a buddhist in Germany ❤
Słowa tego wspaniałego człowieka dały mi do myślenia. Dziękuję za robienie takich filmów, mam nadzieję, że będziecie to kontynuować i osiągniecie należyty sukces (chociaż film już sam w sobie jest sukcesem) ^^.
This was amazing im studying mediation and doing a 7 day of mindfulness program it really helps me with stress and anxiety I feel at peace after a session
a very beautiful film.
I’m a US Marine Infantry Vet. I’m a Zen Buddhist working on becoming a monk. I like this video, I hope he makes more.
Podzieliłem się tym filmem z wieloma przyjaciółmi i najbliższymi, bo po prostu jestem pełen podziwu dla waszej pracy i pełen respektu dla Scotta. :)
Film daje do myślenia i zupełnie deklasuje youtube jaki znam.
Enzoteles .style much appreciated :)
It's amazing how battle hardened men can go from trained killing machines to buisnessmen on wall street, and then to peaceful and wise people truly connected to the beautiful side of life and spirituality. A Buddhist monk. Life and fate truly has It's ways.
Six years later, great documentary. I love this man.
Always a good one to watch.
Wysokiej klasy materiał Krzychu, widziołm na Vimeo.
Beautiful, and what he said at the end. Simply beautiful.
United States Army Veteran here, currently I am a Buddhist practitioner (layperson, not a monk) in the Plum Village tradition. Great to see so many fellow Vets on the path.
Jedne z najlepszych 9 minut spędzonych na youtube! Gratuluję Wam, bo stworzyliście coś co ogląda się przyjemnie/lekko, a jednocześnie daje do myślenia. Bardzo fajnie zmontowane, każdy wyniesie z tego pewną część dla siebie... Dzięki za Waszą pracę :)
This is truly a beautiful story. This man radiates peaceful energy. I am so sorry for your loss, but ever so happy that you have found the Way.
Świetny materiał! Czekam na więcej tego typu projektów :)
Thank you. The video was really helpful for me. It makes's me think about life.
Best piece of you up to date. Keep it like this.
If you ever meet him again, please tell him that his wisdom is inspiration even on the other side of the globe.
Cheers!
I'll make sure he hears it.
TheUwagaPies Kasia, greetings!
Just saw this video...I've longed to do something like this. I hope this isn't too much to ask but could you please find a way to reach out to him again and ask him what process he had to go through to move to Japan and do this? Please let him know that I'm in a similar situation in the US and would really like the guidance to make this journey too. :(
Thank you for this video, it's given me hope!
Rob Monty Hi Rob! He came here due to the military and was able to stay because his wife is Japanese. Here is his blog, you can contact him through it - www.edaruma.com/
He seems like a genuinely happy man. That makes me happy
I need this to start my day. This was good. I wish there was a temple here I am.
Not a marine, but i practice kendo so in a way i felt in the same line...also a zen monk, planning to travel to japan, would love to meet more people in this path
Really interesting and insightful short film. Thanks for sharing.
I need relief from stress(I over stress a lot) I would love to be taught by monks.
let go. let go of everything you will feel at peace. no god no nothing god dont help with stress only you can
Welcome to dojo de youtube.
Step 1. Look up master ken and his tiger style.
stress is resolved by understanding the stress and it's point of origin of the stress... from here it is about understanding what the stress needs in order to release it completely.... follow the questions in your mind until they dissolve... the answer will be at the end!
ua-cam.com/video/gy4jINjMRBI/v-deo.html
rigo tejeda
Ask the Lord and He'll save you from the fallen world
Buddhism is answer to humanities suffering.
@@tsc7445 all are same..stoicism and Buddhism there are so many similarities.
By looking down upon other ancient philosphies you are feeding your own Ego/knowledge. The purpose of Buddhism or any other Indian religions was to kill that Ego.
@Last Exit you want to go deep?
Yeah, what about the treatment of the Rohingya by Buddhists in Burma? Or the treatment of Hindus by Buddhists in Sri Lanka?
@@lex3729 theres darkness in all traditions and humans will always use things that could be otherwise positive in evil ways. We can look past that and uplift the positive values within ourselves.
@@lex3729 i strongly support Buddhist monk for whatever they r doing with muslim and i expect more muslim can kill non believers in the name of allah and shout allah hu akbar they Buddhist monk also massacre those muslim mercilessly without any second thought.this is called TIT FOR TAT.
His tragedy of loss reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt, going from a boxer to a cattle rancher trying to find himself...
...to eventually the Presidency!
Yes.
He the real Raiden
LOL
Shocking revelation!
Lmao
Oh I needed that chuckle
@Kamalakannan A R Mortal Kombat, it's a video game series and raiden is a character
I'm just now finding this. I was in the U.S. Navy for 4 years as a first gen immigrant from the Philippines. Very early into my military career I made the decision to not pursue more years in the military and found myself depleted of energy after my time of service due to the soullessness of the entire system. I find the same in the endless pursuit in the civilian side. I've been meaning to visit monasteries after this pandemic is over. I've been sitting zazen most nights for about a month now and have really opened by heart and mind to become free of the illusion of separation, something that as Scot said, is supported by military principles.
Thank you for this video. It is truly meaningful to find people who are on a similar path.
My story is very similar; active duty army 16 years, two combat tours, studying finance with hopes of going into the personal finance sphere, spent 4 years as a realtor (loved the people and the independence of being self employed, hated the pursuit of money and the shady dealings), been working for the federal government for years (single parent) but steady on the path since 2014...
In 2030 I plan to move overseas to study Buddhism... It's my life's goal.
Dear Scott, you are so blessed to have Jinen San as your Living Buddha Master. I pray to be in Japan someday and meet you both. Thank you a lot! You have inspired me!
thank you so much for this. It really inspires me.
Świetny film. Oglądałam go już chyba z dziesięć razy i dalej czuję niedosyt. Rewelacja!
Thank you for inspiration.
Tons of Japanese veterans became monks. My first teacher had served in the Imperial Army in Malaysia/Singapore.🙏
That's a very inspiring documentary. Domo arigatou.
Hi Enkaku Daruma! I am the Vietnamese guy at the park today. The talk with you was so memorable. I hope to see you again.
What a beautiful life
Regardless of religion or belief, meditation is simply amazing and everyone should learn how to do it. To sit and forget about everything good or bad, to clear the mind and reset our thoughts and be at peace. Especially nowadays when life is a constant struggle, a small refresh of the mind really does go a long way.
Very nice video and very pleasant to watch for some reason. I'm happy for Scott that he's found something that's satisfying to him, especially after such a devastating loss. Honestly, some of the philosophical statements he made I couldn't really relate to, but I like the idea of mindfulness in principle, and I think the Japanese monk summarized it excellently at the end. It's really comforting to know that peace is within ourselves if we can just be content with it and accept life objectively.
We can't relate because we have never been taught the importance of being absolutely idle. The silence gives some profound truths which your constantly running mind can never give.
I’m glad that you found your path, lots of us are still searching....
Really valuable video. It egged me on to find our more about meditation and I started to meditate. I can't wait to see more like this - 'expanding the horizons'. I believe there are more people who will be interested in this content, you just have to reach that audience. I am a lasting spectator.
P.S. Apart from this video - you excellently hit the radical right - wing while not being an extreme left - wing. Balance is a good choice. I value your common sense. Really great thank to youtube I could get to know you. Keep going, peace!
I don't know if it's just me but these monks always talk in a very calm manner to the point that it also calms me just by listening to them.
Really good work :) Good to see how monk's life really is :)
He went from fighting for Israel to being a zen monk
this is truly inspiring
"what I found there was a business without a soul" - exactly why I just left finance. It's a disease.
What a transition. Massive respect. A journey of self discovery!!!!
His daughter is so adorable... !!
He laughs and smiles while articulating wisdom. This man is ALIVE!
Świetny filmik, ale mam jedno pytanie poza tematem: macie jakichkolwiek anglojęzycznych widzów? :]
Working on getting more
Publikują swoje filmy w Internecie więc na pewno mieli od daty wrzucenia pierwszego filmiku :)
I applaud monks living a regular existence intertwined with society. Sending love to you and your family.
wow, this is really good for youtube O.O
karnisov Thanks :)
+TheUwagaPies how can one become Zen monl
+sachin talikhede monk
I'm so sorry fir your lost.....but your suffering was your awakening. Bless you...stay strong
Real life Raiden.
Despite his suffering prior in his life I envy his deep understanding and knowledge of life. Amazing man.
In my youth I took vows to become a Zen Buddhist monk. I was a practicing novitiate for over a year. Then years later I would return and live at the same temple, practicing as before. The one thing I don't completely agree with, although I understand why they say this, is that they claim that one sits or does some other form of meditation for "no reason." Of course, if you have an agenda when you go into it it defeats the whole purpose. And yet, if there truly is no reason in doing it, it begs the question of why do it in the first place? No one does anything for absolutely "no reason." On some level, even in Zen, there's a purpose for doing it.
In the western world meditation is an action. An action performed to accomplish 'some' thing. Therefore, ego based. In Japan, zazen is an experience. A state of being... a noun rather than a verb as in the western sense.
@@thepeaceinthemiddle9305 I love that explanation. Thank you . . .
Thank you for lack of commentary. Thank you that you just let him do the talking. You've done a greate job with this vlog entry/piece of documentary.
Im going to clear some misunderstanding s. you can have a family and be a monk. The Buddha himself gave a discourse to a married couple on how to live together and achieve satori. since Buddhism left India , certain things were changed. Japanese Buddhism went back to Indian roots thanks to people such as shonin and shinren . You have a choice of living two ways, as a monk or laymen. Both have different techniques towards enlightenment. Both get you there.
Mr P f
Mr P u could check up, the difference of buddhist ordained monk vs a lay practitioner, and a lay priest or is a dharma teacher. its the same in any monastery in thai, india, sri lanka, tibet, .. when one renounce ordinary living to enter into anmonastic life as an ordained monk or nun, its means no more marriage, no more sex rgdless of any partner proper or not. u check it up.
Do you know which sermon taught this?
@@zopaseah4982 Not all lineages do that. There is a monastery in San Francisco that includes a number of other monasteries and guest houses in the mountains of Northern California. That group does allow monks to marry and live together at the monstery.
I guess from what I read, not that many do, though. Even though the group I'm involved with is also Zen Buddhism, with a teacher who came from Japan, she trained her monks differently and they don't marry.
There is no such thing as " enlightenment " and you certainly can't " get there ".
We respect your decision
"Get out of the future, out of the past, and into the particular moment." __ () __
Semper Fi brother and thank you for sharing, much respect for you.