"Ask three times" is traditional for those who wish to begin Zen. If
someone does not have serious motivation and willingness to
persevere, it is unlikely that he or she will be able to benefit from
Zen training. Marketing, selling and proselytizing are quite foreign
to Zen. The commercialization of Zen -- the avalanche of
advertisements using the word "Zen" to market everything from sushi
to cars to soap to perfume -- is not Zen!
No one has to practice Zen in order to "be saved!" It is not our
mission to convert people or sell anything. Our outreach is limited
to situations that will help people who are looking for a Zen or
meditation or Buddhist center to find us, rather than trying to
stimulate or manufacture an interest in Zen where none exists. There
is a "self-selection" process, which we respect and trust.
We keep an eye on matching our center's finances and programs to
the means and needs of our participants, so we are not subject to
bringing in people for their money or finding attendees to make our
programs seem successful. My teacher used to say she would rather
work with eight people who were sincere and whose lives were being
genuinely helped by their practice, than have hundreds of people
hanging around.
It is a standing joke at our center that we would attract more
participants if we did less meditation! Our community forms through
the bonding of those who practice and share Zen meditation and its
applications in daily life. It does not form around golf, potlucks,
music entertainments or other kinds of "candy." We have a low-key
social after our sitting periods, where people drink a cup of tea and
talk about practice, movies, family, vacation and so on. We have
designed programs for newcomers and beginners, and we try to let
those who might be interested know we are here through our website,
yellow page listings and so on. We are committed to deepening our
practice and forming a community of regular Zen practitioners. We do
not see marketing, media hype, inducements or fads as contributing
much to this.
THE REV. DEBORAH BARRETT
Zen Center of Orange County
Costa Mesa
If the intention to use marketing tools were to bring religious
awareness to the mass, then it would be considered good. Nonetheless,
keeping in mind the subject of the film, if it were intended to
promote and maximize movie sales then it would be considered
repulsive. The promotion of God, in the purest form, would only
result in bettering our own lives and the lives of others.
IMAM MOUSTAFA AL-QAZWINI
