I have yet to read the numerous related articles at http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/, but I wanted to record my first impressions upon reading the headlines. (Yes, a very dangerous thing, that. I've been so wrong so many times when guessing at the contents of articles based on their headlines.)
Disclaimer: In fact, I should clarify that the following is not my opinion of the events in Gujarat. Religious freedom, and the rights of people to identify their own selves, are critical human rights. If they are being interfered with, this is certainly a serious issue. But the following is not meant to be so serious...I practice and study a particular flavor of the Buddha-dharma known as Zen. I want to take a moment and reflect on all the traditions that have molded (contributed to, transformed, mutated, enhanced, rarefied) the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama into what I get as American Zen:
Siddhartha lived in a time and place where Hinduism thrived. He often used Hindu terms (even Hindu gods) to express his knowledge.
As Buddhism washed repeatedly over China, it picked up various Chinese influences, including Confucianism and Taoism. Ch'an Buddhism was particularly influenced by Taoism. And as Ch'an rode its Eastbound tsunami (repeatedly) into Japan, it picked up a bit of the Shinto traditions, and certainly a strong dollop of potent Japanese culture.
Looking at all this, I suppose I could either lament, or rejoice.
Lament that the pure and original words of the Buddha have been through such a thrashing that I could never recover their wisdom. Perhaps I should look elsewhere? The earliest writings in Pali or Sanskrit? Sure, that could give me a better idea of what he actually said and did. Right?
We need only look at today's media battles, e.g., CNN vs. Fox in the Iron Cage of Death, to know that words--even when originally issued in a familiar language and recorded earnestly--are open to interpretation. Of course, the Buddha spoke repeatedly, in different ways, in order to convey his realization. But which sutra is the Pinnacle of Wisdom? Which sect of Buddhism is the One True Buddhism?!
Bah! I choose to rejoice. I've found some wise words that resonate, if you'll pardon the new-agey term. (What a perfect description, though: resonate...) Your Mileage May Vary. Find what resonates in you!
I am currently reading an old Tricycle article by Stephen Batchelor, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite Buddhist authors. In the article, he makes the argument that traditions are inherently living and changing (and dying) things, and that this includes Buddhism. He likens it to members of a family: There is a resemblance, but each is an individual. (I can't find a copy of the article on the web, probably because I'm reading the Winter 2000 issue. Don't ask... :-)
Wisdom is all around us, in all traditions. Is it any wonder that The Golden Rule is so similar in numerous traditions? (The Buddhists use negation: "Do NOT do unto others what you would rather NOT have done unto you. Like, um, waterboarding." Okay, I added that last part. So many of us learn best from examples. I'm hoping the Bush administration reads my blog. HAR! HAR! *snort!*) Look at the similarity between the Ten Commandments and the Ten (Five/Eight/Dozen/Baker's Dozen) Grave (Moral/Pure/Enumerable) Buddhist Precepts, particularly that one special principal that might translate into blogspeak as "Please STOP f***ing killing each other, right now!" Perhaps adding "I mean it, dude. YOU. STOP."
Buddhism is, after all, pragmatic stuff about reality, here and now. If awakening were metaphysical, and beyond the reach of us ordinary humans, the Big Guy wouldn't have bothered speaking at all. Remember, he thought about it for a while. "What can I possibly say about this?!"
So, do I care if someone starts calling what I've been studying and practicing "Hinduism"? Nah. It's really more Taoism anyway! ;-)
Of course I care. But I also try to remain aware that American Zen has probably adapted and evolved in the great leap over the largest pond on Earth. How not?!
I'm happy to have the Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, and Christian traditions (raised a Lutheran!) each providing their wisdom to the subjective synthesis that is my personal spiritual path. Yes, it is subjective. There's no other choice, really. Your religion is what you take it to be. As any good Zen teacher will tell you (in their own words, of course), "You are your own teacher!"
