Introduction
In order to experience and learn about other cultures, engaging with them on a personal level is often necessary. People are able to participate in events, travel and talk with professionals in their respective fields in order to better understand that which is foreign to them. This is especially true for religious and spiritual practices, where people connect with ideas on both a personal and mental level. Gurus and experts are able to provide others with information and guidance on how to best engage with religious concepts. For the purposes of learning more about different traditions and writing this assignment, I have visited the Denver Zen Center and found out more about Buddhism.
How I Learned About the Zen Center
First, I have firmly decided that I want to learn more about Buddhist culture. Then, I began to search for a place where I could learn more from active practitioners. Turns out, there are not that many places in Denver that practice Buddhism. Accessing a map, I found a number of meditation centers and other organizations, but I was still unsure which one would be the most optimal choice. The aforementioned meditation centers had the most reviews among all listed organizations, but they felt unsuitable for my purposes. In this work, I wanted to deeply investigate all aspects of Buddhism, not only meditation. Taking my time to look at more reviews, I ended up choosing the Denver Zen Center. On the review website Yelp, all of the discussions are explicitly positive, describing the center as well-decorated and organized. After becoming sufficiently familiar with the review contents, I visited the organization’s website. Minimally decorated, it did its job of informing new visitors of the center’s schedule, goals and beliefs. Many of the center’s key ideologies are present on the site, including meditation instructions and lectures. After quickly reading through their materials, I have signed up on an introductory Zen seminar.
Daily Practices
The introductory event has given me the ability to become more thoroughly involved with the organization, and talk with practitioners and other people that signed on for this session. In particular, I got to talk to one of the Buddhist people working in the temple and learn more about the organization as a whole. First, I was curious about their daily schedule and the kinds of things Buddhists partake in. According to the information I was given during my conversation, the Zen center organizes regular sitting events, where participants sit together, rarely interrupted by talks or other activities. Most of the events happening in the center are also streamed via Zoom so that any willing participants can join in from the comfort of their own homes (“Upcoming Events – Zen Center of Denver”). The professional I was talking with told me more about the sitting meditation process and its significance. Apparently, the practice is designed in order to help practitioners be rid of unnecessary thoughts, needs or desires, working on achieving a state of inner calm. During the process, it is necessary for participants to concentrate on calming themselves, remaining in the moment and realizing their own place in the world. The Zen sessions are performed at various times of the day, both remotely and in person. In addition, the organization hosts discussions, dharma talks, tea ceremonies and other traditional events aimed at enhancing one’s spiritual life. Most of these events are accessible to the public on a pay-to-enter basis.
Holidays and Celebrations
The person I got to talk with at the center said that there were no particular holidays they regularly celebrate on an organizational level. However, they also noted that there are many important dates in Buddhism, with many practitioners choosing to put some signs on them. Buddha’s birthday, for example, is a date that does not have any special calendar events or festivities connected to it, but it is still a subject of discussion and a vital point of consideration for individual Buddhists (“Upcoming Events – Zen Center of Denver”). As a result, some practitioners choose to honor this day with special ceremonies, while others don’t. In addition, holidays like the lunar new year are generally accepted as a tradition but not explicitly required.
The Meaning of Buddhist Faith
The meaning of Buddhism to the organization was a topic we discussed for a long time because it was related to the central beliefs of the organization as a whole. We did talk about the Zen branch of Buddhism in particular, as it was important for the center’s beliefs. The Buddhist practitioner who agreed to talk with me was heavily invested into the teachings of Buddha and told me they spent a lot of time practicing their meditation technique. First, all of the Zen center’s practices fall in line with the Zen branch of Buddhism, focusing of self-improvement, learning and sitting meditation as its main practices. The physical aspects of the location were obviously taken from similar buildings in China, India, or Japan, with many decorations styled in traditional Buddhist fashion. The floors were designed for walking without shoes, and the space was comfortable for spending a prolonged period of time there.
Aside from how the organization connects with Buddhism, I have also talked with some of the other participants during the meditation session. They seemed to have certain experiences with the Buddhist faith, making me feel more comfortable asking them for further details. One of them talked about finding the Zen Center to be an important pillar of their social and personal well-being. Apparently, they have found a sense of belonging and community when taking part in group activities, as well as experiencing other aspects of the faith. Meditation and self-control helped them better handle stress and different times of strife, which is something many of us need in recent years. Another person I talked with, a woman, told me how sitting sessions helped her get over a recent divorce, which has considerably decreased her happiness in recent months. Having the ability to forget about mundane problems for a time and focus on oneself was something she really wanted. Listening to these people helped me realize that each person’s relationship with Buddhism and meditation is different, owing to their different experiences in the world.
Sharing Buddhism
The organization’s structure and resources directly contribute to the process of spreading Buddhism in the United States. The introductory seminars and sessions present the Zen center as an inviting space to spend one’s time, a place for friendship and community. With the stress of daily life, an ability to relax and spiritually enrich oneself can often appeal to people. In addition, the website provides a number of guided meditations to work with, which can also be a great starting resource. The combination of the two makes it easier for beginners to engage with the simpler aspects of the faith and become more interested in the topic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my visit to the Zen center proved to be an interesting and spiritually enriching experience. I was able to participate in meditation ceremonies and hear more about self-improvement and the meaning of Buddhism in people’s lives. This outcome would not have been possible without the enlightened professionals that told me more about their own dealings with the Buddhist faith and the center itself. First, I learned that daily meditation is a common practice in the Zen branch of Buddhism, designed to separate a person from the tedium of daily worries. I also heard about discussions, dharma readings, ceremonies and other types of events that are held at a regular pace. The lack of officially celebrated holidays was interesting to me, as were the varied beliefs of practitioners in the temple. Zen Buddhism holds a special meaning for the organization as a whole and its people, providing guidance on living a better life and becoming a better version of oneself. I think that their eagerness to educate, share and teach their beliefs is extremely admirable. Promoting acceptance of different cultures in a global society can go a long way, helping people find what they stand for, and develop a sense of community and union. I think that this trip provided me with much to consider, and the ceremonies held by the Zen professionals will be something to remember fondly.
Work Cited
“Upcoming Events – Zen Center of Denver.” Zen Center of Denver.