Saturday, September 23, 2006

Enough

With palms together,
Good Morning All,

Last night we attended New Year's service at Temple Beth-El. The sanctuary was crowded. Everyone was dressed nicely. There was a banquet of sweets in the social hall. And there were armed guards outside the door.

Yesterday's newspaper had a very interesting op-ed piece by Charles Krautheimer. I usually take issue with this conservative, but on this occasion, his words resonated like the bell in the Zendo. He talked about the irony of Muslims protesting with such viciousness statements that suggest their religion was spread through the sword. He noted that monotheism, in general, has a history of such behavior: all of monotheism.

And how can it be otherwise? By definition, monotheists hold one god, praise one god, hail one god. Each slice of the god pie has its supporters, doctors, lawyers, nurses, and soldiers. Each rallying to set their particular understanding above others and in the process...or perhaps to support the process...Denigrating the other two.

We have become such an intolerant species. Our intolerance is everywhere. We are offended by this or that, we are quick to point out what we see as inappropriate and somehow expect the other to learn from this lesson all the while blind to our own biases and cultural ways.

Frankly, at this point in my life, I have little need for such things. I am happy being present. I am happy with the great diversity on our planet. Its richness is so beautiful. Yet, the three spoiled children trying to play in the sandbox create a racket any sane person doesn't want to hear.

I wonder whether any god is worth this distraction, this pain, this suffering. Has civilization come to a point where god has become a hindrance to our peace and continued growth?

Zen does not have a point of view. It has only Zen. When we are Zen, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. My ice ream is delicious. The mosquito's effort to live stings.

Be well.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

If one is happy being present, why does one make a point of mentioning the intolerance of others? If one is happy being present, why does one take issue with monotheism? If one has no point of view, why does one need to make that known?

It seems to me that not having a point of view is itself a point of view, and that to have no philosophy is itself a philosophy, and to say nothing is to say something.

Intolerance of intolerance is intolerance.

Be Well,
Jikai

No said...

Are the three children playing in the sandbox supposed to be ..what? I'm assuming a symbol of Christianity? If so, very good.

Daiho Hilbert-Roshi said...

My happiness is an invitaion, Jikai. Moreover, happiness does not suggest that we cannot assist others in their suffering. If, on the other hand, we allow their unhappiness to stick to us, like mud on boots, big problem. Point of view, no point of view; much like form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Both are true, both are untrue, both exist, both do not exist, simultaneously.

No: the three children are the three monotheistic religions.

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