Anyone familiar with Zen centers in Metro Detroit?
I am looking to go to a Zen center in my area. I have already tried a Theravada center, Buddhist Meditation Center - Watpaknam in Sterling Heights, MI, and everything was great. I am now learning more toward Zen, and there are a couple centers near me that I wondered if anyone had any experiences with. I may sound paranoid, but I just want to find a legitimate Zen center that focuses on the Buddha's teachings and is not trying to be too western.
Dharma Gate Zen Center in Troy, MI. https://dharmagatezen.org. This is described as a Korean/Japanese Zen blend for a western audience. The monk there was ordained at Seonamsa monastery in South Korea. Everything seems pretty normal. They follow the four noble truths, standard Zen stuff, etc. They mention fees for a membership for running the building, but that you won't be turned away for financial reasons. I assume this is standard to keep everything running, but just wanted to make sure.
Muddy Water Zen in Royal Oak, MI. http://www.muddywaterzen.com. It says it is a Korean Taego Zen practice. Everything seems normal, but again they talk about adapting to a western audience. Also, they have a section on their website about taking the precepts. Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but does that mean to become a monk there or something? Because it mentions paying $108 for a precept ceremony and doing 3000 prostrations prior to this ceremony. I am totally ignorant, but is the fee just for becoming a monk?
Hopefully some of you have been to one or both of these places and can shed some light. I know this sounds very condescending but this is not how I mean, I just want to find a legitimate Zen center that isn't a western place trying to just meditate for a few minutes and connect with nature. I want an actual teacher as a layman, and I just want to make sure that is what I am getting. Thanks!
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