Dunno

So I've been investigating Mormonism for a long while, and it seems to suit me, but I've been told to keep an open mind and investigate other religions if I'm gonna be insistent in organised religion. The last good experience I had with another religion was doing martial arts (Zen Do Kai) and learning about Zen Buddhism, including the art of meditation. That was a while back so I don't really remember much of it, but it was definitely interesting and logical. So I was wondering if I could get any information on that. Thanks for your time.

Burger,

There is a big difference between Zen and Mormonism. I understand your interest in meditation. What attracts you to Mormonism?

Regarding Zen, go to the Buddhism Forum and check out the Zen section:
http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism

Although my knowledge of Zen Buddhism is very little, and what I had studied of Buddhism, even, is very, very rusty. . .I'd like to second the motion--'Mormonism' has got to be an altogether different animal !!

Nice motion there Buntaro san !

Burger,
I checked with my friend, who is Mormon. He is not sure, but he thinks the Mormon church will not allow such a thing. (Maybe the question has never come up before....) This is exactly the answer I was expecting.
By the way, I know a few CWDM's (Christians who do meditation). You can definitely be a CWDM, although I am quite sure Mormonism is one denomination that would not allow it. Which brings me back to my original question; What attracts you to Mormonism?

Oh, and, yes, I am quite familiar with Buddhism, should you have specific questions.


Mars-san! Yoroshiku~~~~!

Very simply it was a matter of reading the Book of Mormon, praying then, and experiences praying since. It also matches more or less perfectly to my inate logic. But so did Zen Buddhism, or what I knew of it. Plus there are things about mormonism that I'm definitely not willing to commit myself to yet, mainly because my girlfriend is non-mormon.

Do Buddhists (specifically Zen Buddhists) believe in God, or gods, or neither? Do they live by a moral code? Do they have an organizational structure?

I'm not baptised yet so I'm free to explore other religions. I've been lazy up to now, but I believe I'm a spiritual person by nature, and specifically Condomble, Islam, Zen Buddhism and Mormonism I want to study simultaneously to see which is the most logical path. But I'm here to study (or get an introduction to) Zen Buddhism, and not the other three.

Thanks for your time. I hope that leaves enough information to reply to.

Burger,

You asked,

"Do Buddhists (specifically Zen Buddhists) believe in God, or gods, or neither?"

--> The fact is, the question is simply left unanswered. To a Zen Buddhist, the question is irrelevant. Zen is all about the here and now, not preparing for a future heaven. It has been said that Buddha did not say there was no God, he just left the question unanswered (at least that is the Zen version of the story).

"Do they live by a moral code?"

--> Yes.

"Do they have an organizational structure?"

--> Yes.

"I'm not baptised yet so I'm free to explore other religions."

--> I find that statement fascinating. Buddhists are ALWAYS free to explore other religions (except perhaps some of the Pureland versions of Buddhsim.)

" ... I believe I'm a spiritual person by nature...."

--> The really cool thing about Buddhism (especially Zen) is that you can practice all of the techniques, and you do not have to call yourself a Buddhist. Dogmatic titles are unnecessary.

" ... I want to study simultaneously to see which is the most logical path."

--> Excellent! Buddhism (including Zen) supports such an idea. You will find Buddhism to be very open about these things.

"But I'm here to study (or get an introduction to) Zen Buddhism, and not the other three."

--> Keep those questions coming.

Burger,

Use this flow-chart (written in a Zen-biased way).

"I believe Jesus takes away my sins."

Yes. --> Go to Mormonism.

No. --> Go to Buddhism.

And from what you mentioned about learning and sensing that the logic felt good, I would encourage you to check out many different faiths before making any kind of final decision. What Buntaro san has stated about is a good point...only it may be good to check out, for example, all forms of Buddhism, as well as other non-Abrahamic faiths.

I do wish you the best of luck, for sure !!!