Not Woman-

Recently we had a visitor from the "Gender in Buddhism " course being taught at UVA. We might say that Zen also asks us to investigate "No gender in Buddhism".

To truly experience Zen, we must become aware of those moments when there is no distinction between inside and outside, no distinction between self and other; when we are not young or old, Christian or Buddhist, a woman or a man.

There is a koan sometimes given to Zen students, "How do you realize not woman, not man?"

When lightening strikes nearby, in that instant of the thunderclap, before thinking, are you a man, are you a woman, or are you just KAABOOM!!!? In that moment is the very essence of Zen.