With palms together
Good Morning Everyone,
People in the Buddhist world seem to argue about a few simple things: is Buddhism a religion, who is the “I” speaking (or writing), and, is there a “self?”
I will offer my own point of view here. First, Buddhism is a religion if its adherents practice it religiously. Religion does not require a God, and the fact that so many (including renowned dictionaries) believe it does leads to such ridiculous arguments as who or what is God. Religion needing God is a theist point of view. What if God is the Whole Enchilada? What if God is not? Does it matter? Will these questions get us any closer to our freedom?
The questions about self and an “I” are, it seems to me, based on a total misunderstanding and a case of simple amnesia. First, remember, there are two truths in Buddhism, the Absolute Truth and the Relative Truth. These are Big Mind, or Buddha Mind, and Small Mind, that is, the mind of our everyday interactions with each other and the space around us. Self arises as a result of our brain’s neurological functioning. It is a Small Mind creation and function. It is an interactional creation between bio-psycho-social and environmental factors. It is as real as a raging river which is composed of many streams coming together and many factors such as slope, rainfall, and gravity. While it is raging it is also constantly changing, thus it is empty of an inherent “self.”
We mistakenly believe that if something is “empty” it has no existence. Not so. If I smack you with my kyosaku it will sting and you will have evidence of it’s existence, my existence, and your existence. Do these existences constantly change? Of course, but just because a raging river flows does not mean it will not bowl you over.
When we practice our “religion” we allow ourselves to see our own true nature. We release ourselves from the grip of the Relative Truth and see the truth of the Absolute. This does not destroy or “conquer” the Relative, but rather, puts it in perspective. Minds do not need taming or conquering. They need open fields, fields with translucent borders, functional, but permeable. They need the faith to roam them without fear. The development of prajna requires this.
Be well.
2 comments:
You say"When we practice our “religion” we allow ourselves to see our own true nature. We release ourselves from the grip of the Relative Truth and see the truth of the Absolute. This does not destroy or “conquer” the Relative, but rather, puts it in perspective. Minds do not need taming or conquering. They need open fields, fields with translucent borders, functional, but permeable. They need the faith to roam them without fear. The development of prajna requires this."
It is true that the mind wanders to the "ten thousand things". Being aware of the content that ones' mind produces is a result of true meditation, and the stilling of the mind. But is it advisable to tell others to let the mind wander aimlessly? I do not think so. We associate dualistic concepts, and dialectic activity while the mind roams. If ones' practice is based on such a lax principle "prajna" can not develop, and insight into our true nature without the dualism cannot be experienced. This has nothing to do with religious belief or accepted schools of thought/Buddhism. It is a matter of awakening ones' original nature that can not be described. There is no adequate reason to believe that provisional truth and daily activity can not be navigated without dualistic thought.
Dear Anon,
Thank you for pointing out how a post can so easily be misread. No where do I say we should let the mind wonder. Just that we should not attempt to restrain the mind. Please read more carefully and place it against your practice.
I am curious as to what your motivation is when you use words like "lax"? Are you familiar with Soto Zen? It does not seem like it or you would know we are a gentle way; like water, forgiving, but relentless in our practice.
You point out many things, but the problem with pointers is that they point in two directions. You seem to have trouble with Soto Zen, Temples and Teachers, why is that? Do you have a teacher? Even Buddha had monasteries and teachers. Until I know something about you and/or your motivation, I will no longer publish your comments.
Be well.
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