CloudWater Zendo

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jorge Torres

über Google

I have not had the opportunity to attend any services at the new zendo. I have many regrets for not being there considering the many years Shifu has been kind and direct with me when I was a participant at the old zendo on Puritas Avenue. In addition to Shifu leading the group there were others who practice and devotion to this path was clearly evident. I hope that very soon I'll be rejoining the sangha again. Amitabha!

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CHARLES E

über Google

Come to learn, pray, and meditate (doing only what you are comfortable with). This is a very orderly, simple, clean, and quiet space. There are Buddhist paintings hung on the walls with a cushion in front of each. You may choose any that you like. If you have issues sitting or kneeling low, you may use a normal chair. Although you sit in meditation with the group, thus having a sense of community, you face the wall and this helps to avoid any distractions. This time of focus and contemplation are wonderful. You can find a moment of stillness and peace while the city life is held back by the walls of this Zendo, a place of refuge for any who wish to come. Although at the time I was not a Buddhist I felt more at peace and welcome here than other places of worship more familar to my own cultural background. This brings to mind a statement by another reviewer..."culture vulture." What a mean spirited and nasty thing to say. I feel sorry for that person, and for the damage he may have done to someone seeking a place of refuge. It is too bad that that person decided to spread their bias upon others. The best advice I can give is to try to look past a person's appearance and see if they are sincere. It is my opinion that this abbot is dedicated and sincere. Ok, enough said about that, moving on. After meditation time, out came the folding chairs and we all sat around a folding table. Tea was available. There was NOTHING FANCY about it. If you are looking for something fancy you will be dissapointed. However, after a few moments of contemplation the Abbot spoke about a Buddhist topic. He taught us, and patiently answered questions. It was easy to see his compassion and I felt comfortable there. There was nothing fancy, nothing to impress your friends, no darn selfie opportunities, nothing but jewels of knowledge. You can learn how to find tranquility in your life, how to live in a better way than you used to. Here there are simple folding chairs, cheap tea and the DHARMA, the priceless, beautiful DHARMA. Currently I live on the other side of the world. I had questions and was wondering who I might be able to ask for help. This place came to mind from so long ago. I wrote to him and asked my questions hoping to hear back. Not only did he respond, the response was thoughtful and helpful. I was suprised he had taken the amount of care and time needed for such a detailed letter. Not many people seem to have the time or inclination to be of service to others, but he was to me. A year or two later I wrote again and the same thing happened. I am writing this review for a few reasons. First is my sincere gratitude. This gratitude is for the peace I felt in this Zendo. Gratitude for the cup of tea with a side of Dharma. Gratitude that although to him I was a stranger on the other side of the world, I could rely on him for help when I needed it. The second is to simply give you an honest account of my experiences. Are you curious, great go to the Zendo and try it out. Be respectful of the space and ask questions. Dont feel comfortable saying the prayers, then don't. No true Buddhist will ever want , nor feel the need to pressure you into our beliefs. To us the truth is the truth. There is no point in arguing that the sky is blue. Our only driving force is compassion. I was suprised by what some people said in the reviews, one in particular, but please try first with an open heart and mind. If it is not for you no problem, hope you find what it is you seek and need. However you just might find a place where you can be at peace and that peace has a way of becoming a regular and beautiful part of your life and of who you really are. Dont let the words of others, including mine, tell you what to think, find your own path and know places like this are a refuge for the weary traveller. Abbots are there to point you in the right direction, this one did for me, maybe for you too one day. Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope it helps you in some small way. Take care.

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Steve Coates

über Google

The Abbott ist sehr kenntnisreich und mitfühlend. Ich kenne ihn seit über zwanzig Jahren. Er flog nach Seattle, um unserem Meditationszentrum einen Segen zu spenden. Das war ein wichtiger Wendepunkt für unser noch junges Unternehmen, das jetzt sehr erfolgreich ist. Gepriesen sei. Es ist merkwürdig, dass viele Anfänger negative Bewertungen schreiben und sich auf Probleme konzentrieren, die jedem Fachmann offensichtlich entgehen würden, zugunsten der eigentlichen Vorteile und Vorzüge, die dieses großartige Programm bietet. Geduld, Unkraut-Hüpfer!

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Christopher Hodson

über Google

Sehr freundlich und einladend. Ich trat während der Meditationspraxis ein und wartete geduldig, bis die Mitglieder durch waren. Nachdem es vorbei war, wurde ich begrüßt und mir mitgeteilt, was der nächste Service sein würde, und ich nahm dankbar daran teil. Nach dem Service ergriffen die Mitglieder die Initiative, mit mir zu sprechen, und wirkten aufrichtig interessiert an mir sowie an dem, wonach ich suchte. Mein Rat an jeden, der den Buddhismus erforschen möchte: Mach vor dem Besuch eine leichte Recherche über die Sekte, die der Tempel praktiziert. Wenn du den Tempel besuchst, geh mit offenem Geist hinein – lass dich nicht vom Unbekannten (Praktiken und Ritualen) einschüchtern und scheue dich nicht, Fragen zu stellen. Denke daran, es ist akzeptabel, nach dem Zweck oder der Bedeutung von allem zu fragen, was du nicht verstehst. Meiner Erfahrung nach sind Buddhisten mitfühlende, liebevolle Menschen, die mehr als glücklich sind, dir zu helfen, dich wohler zu fühlen.

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anonymous anonymous

über Google

Interessanter Ort. Allerdings glaube ich, dass dieser Ort diejenigen, die neu in der Zen-Meditation und im Buddhismus sind, unter Druck setzt. Man sollte nicht dazu gedrängt werden, die buddhistische Zuflucht anzunehmen, und ich glaube, man sollte jemanden vollständig darüber aufklären, was in diesem Zendo geschieht, bevor man die Leute tatsächlich Rituale und Zeremonien durchführen lässt. Beim ersten Mal, als ich hierher kam, hatte ich keinerlei Ahnung davon, was geschah. Mir fällt nur ein, dass man mir Zen-Meditation beigebracht hat und ich wusste nicht, dass der eigentliche Kurs mit tiefen Ritualen und Zeremonien und anderen Dingen verbunden war, die für Außenstehende merkwürdig erscheinen könnten. Ich muss MS FlamingFlamer zustimmen. Kulturvampire, tatsächlich.