Zen Buddhism - Where to start?

If there can be Korean, Chinese, Xtians, there can be white Bhuddists. Siddarta Gutama was from India anyway.

>Being clergy is not the same as practicing a religion.

In Buddhism there isn't any progress that can be made as a householder, you can practice merit making, but Buddhism? That's for monks only.

I really don't intend on practicing anything, I just want to read up on it.

>The Gateless Gate
This is also where "Nansen Kills the Cat" comes from, which is a large part of what peaked my interest.
>buddhism is not zen anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't read anything by zen masters.
But I still need to understand Buddhism to understand Zen, no? At least that's the impression I got when reading up on the koan I mentioned.
Do you think is good advice?

In Theraveda tradition, which Thai people a few others, and you, apparently believe.
I am certain that followers of other Bhuddist traditions would be shocked to learn they are not Bhuddist. You seem to have a hard time with cetegorical thinking and can't discern Thai Theraveda from the larger Bhuddist tradition.
Are you a farang who had a bad experience with a Thai wat? Or what? No pun intended.