The Zen of Jesus Christ: Discerning The Kingdom of the Tao with The Dragon Eye of Zen

By Carlos O. Santacruz

The Zen of Jesus Christ: Discerning The Kingdom of the Tao with The Dragon Eye of Zen. Presenting The Secret Sayings of the Gospel of Thomas, together with their Zen Equivalent and Commentary. These are the Secret Words Pronounced by the Living Jesus that Didimus Judas Thomas wrote down. This is a bold, fascinating, thought-provoking modern day interpretation of the Apocryphal Gospel of Thomas from the point of view of zen Buddhism. Key spiritual elements are identified, compared and commented upon. Once esoteric or misunderstood meanings become transparent through the lens of zen. For those unfamiliar with the tenets of zen, something of a 'crash course' is presented, always with a pertinent, illuminating connection to Jesus' sayings. The more one learns of zen, the more it becomes obvious that Jesus was indeed a zen Master. By the end of the book, it becomes clear: Jesus' Kingdom of Heaven is found to be identical to the Way of the Tao, a potent, powerful and potentially life-changing revelation. May we all reach enlightenment, with this body, in this lifetime, Here and Now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carlos O. Santacruz
• Release date: Jun 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311805195

Carlos O. Santacruz

Born on June 4th, 1958 in New York City, both parents from Havana, Cuba. Grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. PS. #5 School, Ferris H.S. 2 years, then Lebanon H.S. New Hampshire, as an ABC student, graduated 1976. Attended Rutgers, New Jersey but dropped out in 1978. Worked odd jobs in New Jersey, became auto mechanic. Left the north in 1980 and became resident of Miami, Florida. Again worked odd jobs, became locksmith for 7 years before securing position in Miami-Dade County, Building Maintenance at Police Dept. 30 years until the present. Varied interests, chess, music including classical, rock, jazz, etc. 'poor man's audiophile.' Self-taught and well read in most things Zen Buddhism, no formal training. Many years reading, sitting, learning, unlearning, contemplating navel. Stumbled across Elaine Pagels' works including 'The Gnostic Gospels' and 'Beyond Belief.' Read the Gospel of Thomas and became inspired to write a book reviewing same but from the point of view of zen. Thus 'The Zen of Jesus Christ' came to be, circa December, 2015. Carlos O. Santacruz continues to live and work in Miami, Florida with his wife and son.

Book preview

The Zen of Jesus Christ:

Discerning The Kingdom of The Tao with The Dragon Eye of Zen.

Presenting The Secret Sayings of The Gospel of Thomas, Together with their Zen Equivalent and Commentary.

These are The Secret Words Pronounced by The Living Jesus that Didimus Judas Thomas wrote down.

Compiled by massolrac

The Zen of Jesus Christ

by Carlos O. Santacruz

Copyright 2016 Carlos O. Santacruz

Smashwords Edition

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Cover image, ‘Jesus & Buddha’ composite photograph by Suzanne Olsson, used by her kind permission.

To my dear friend Evelyn, who once remarked that the zen books I had given her were ‘too brainy’; I hope this one clears things up.

‘We are all manifestations of Buddha-nature, or Christ consciousness, probably both.’

-Joseph Campbell

‘The future of Christianity may be realized through zen.’

-Thomas Merton

‘Before Abraham was, I Am.’

-Jesus

‘After Maitreya Buddha, I Am.’

-massolrac

‘No one should copy this book, it is considered that it deserves to be consigned to the fire.’

-2nd Nicene Council of 787 AD

‘If you seek the purest gold, you will see it in the fire.’

-Mumon

‘You are the Fire!’

-Jesus

Foreword:

Jesus was the first zen master of the west. His teachings as revealed through the writings of the Gospel of Thomas show ample evidence of this. The parallel elements and points of similarity between Jesus’ sayings in this context and those of zen Buddhism in general are more than notable, they are remarkable, almost incredible. Clearly they are using different terms, but when one realizes that, for example, the Kingdom of the Father is formally equivalent to The Way of the Tao, it becomes obvious that they are both referring to the same experience. Of utmost interest and import is not only what Jesus says in these writings, but also what he is not saying. Throughout the 114 sayings, Jesus does not speak about faith. He does not talk about beliefs. Jesus makes no reference to eternal life, except in the present moment; he does not speak about salvation nor talk about the resurrection. Jesus does not present himself as an object of adoration. The emphasis of his sayings is, quite simply, how to open your eyes and see, how to recognize and accept the present moment, how to stand up on your own two feet and how to be. If these things seem too simple or subtle, it may be because doing these things properly is apparently amongst the most difficult things to achieve in the world. Maybe we here in the west have forgotten how to look within. Maybe we never learned how to do it correctly. Maybe we have forgotten, with our rat race lives, running ever faster to every destination for what we know not why, the obsession of the cell phone stuck to the ear and the sickness of consumerism, blindly obtaining more and more money (debt) or material things without end. If these things truly made us happy, we would not see so much sadness, depression, drug abuse, strife, desperation and violence as we do amongst the general population. It is a huge irony that despite living in the midst of the greatest resources, with all the material benefits, conveniences and riches afforded to us by our ‘modern industrial civilization’, many still find themselves feeling incomplete, restless, anxious, confused and not exactly happy in their lives. In this sphere, zen may be able to come to our aid, not only to better understand the sayings of Jesus but also to learn something of Buddhism as well, because what zen represents is something so urgently needed in our society today. Perhaps it is the cultivation of our mindfulness to better recognize the difference between quality and quantity, and to help us develop the power to increase the positive while diminishing the negative in our busy lives. What is zen? This can be said to be the synthesis, the most basic element of all spirituality, the pure naked essence of all of mankind’s religions throughout human history on this planet. If that seems too farfetched to the rational western mind, perhaps a more apt metaphor would be to compare zen to a dram (or three) of the finest single malt whisky, obtained cask strength from a single barrel without blending: It is very pure, very concentrated, very strong, very potent and as a result, a little dangerous should you go over your limit. So with the judicious application and reserved utilization of zen, with great care and respect for the subject matter involved, it is my hope that the present volume does not overstep the limits of accepted convention while expanding the mutual understanding of both great spiritual sources. Nevertheless, the truth is that the way in which both Jesus and zen shine the light of understanding upon each other in saying after saying is nothing short of extraordinary. In approaching these writings with a calm and open mind and heart, it is my hope that in little time, the key to genuine serenity, lasting peace and real happiness may reach all who read these sayings and internalize their true inner meaning. This is my humble desire for all of my friends as well as everyone who reads these lines this Christmas season near the end of this year.

Happy Christmas and Namaste,

-massolrac 

December 2015

‘Love is the opening door,

Love is what we came here for,

No one could offer you more

Do you know what I mean?

Have your eyes really seen?’

-Elton John

1) And He Said:

‘Whosoever discovers the true meaning of these sayings will not taste death’.

The zen equivalent:

Upon hearing the words, ‘Awaken the mind without fixing it anywhere’, Hui Neng became enlightened.

Commentary:

The enlightened do not taste death for they have penetrated to the source of truth. Superficial interpretations are far from the mark and will not do. Seek the meaning that reaches deep into the self and sparks a new point of view.

2) Jesus said:

‘Let those who seek not stop their seeking until they find; when one finds he will be perturbed. After one is perturbed, he will be astonished and will reign over all’.

The zen equivalent:

‘Before the study of zen, rivers are rivers and mountains are mountains. During the study of zen, rivers are not rivers and mountains are not mountains. After attaining enlightenment, rivers are once again rivers and mountains are once again mountains.’

Commentary:

Jesus is here describing the spiritual quest. During the quest seekers ‘will be perturbed.’ This is the phase of ongoing self-inquiry, where ‘rivers are not rivers and mountains are not mountains.’ After one attains realization, ‘he will be astonished and will reign over all.’ This is a description of the state of enlightenment, the final result and culmination of the spiritual search. ‘Let those who seek not stop their seeking until they find.’ Jesus encourages all who embark upon the quest and urges them to not cease their efforts until they have attained.

3) Jesus said:

‘If they tell you, Look, the kingdom is in the sky, then the birds of the sky will precede you; if they tell you, Look, the kingdom is in the sea, then the fish of the sea will precede you. On the contrary, the real Kingdom lies within you. When you have found your self, you will be known and you will know you are son/ daughter of the living father. But if you have not found your self, you live in poverty and you are that poverty.’

The zen equivalent:

‘Your consciousness is like a mirror; your own immediate reflected attention is your own Buddha. But after realizing this, do not dwell upon this mind. Do not create a rational understanding of this mind for you will ultimately cling and become attached to it. Simply maintain your mind like a clear blue sky. Thoughts like clouds come and go, come and go without end. Think them all without discrimination but do not become attached to them. Enjoying a clear blue sky on a magnificent day in the mountains or near the ocean, one does not declare this to be ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect’.

-Pai Chang

Commentary:

Jesus advises, ‘The real Kingdom lies within you.’