I am struck by a couple of things this morning. One is an article by Sheila Samples about the religious right. Nothing really new in it that I didn't already know. In fact, it's a subject I watch closely, because it may well have an impact on whether or not I can practice Buddhism. In an all Christian America, it wouldn't be guaranteed, like the Constitution guarantees I can. And in our last election cycle, one presidential candidate suggested less Constitution, and more Bible. However, I have discovered that in paying attention to this subject, I have changed somewhat negatively.
Another thing that has struck me is, well, me. I am changing. Partly that is due to having become connected to a teacher that has active involvement in his students, and has definite teaching plans and goals. Friday I got in the mail my copy of the Pema Kilaya Teaching Program. So I jumped into it, and I found several portions of the practice I was missing, and some I was already doing in my rather custom made practice. And like the lit head I am, I gravitated to the back, to see the "suggested reading" list, if there was one.
He he he, there was.
Books not only suggested, but carefully looked over and recommended by our teacher. And to my surprise, we already own several of them. Further, a couple of them I was interested in are at the library! The upshot of all this is that I am immersing myself in, not what I believe, but what I practice. Let me explain the difference, and in so doing hopefully tie things together.
Lately at work, I have trying not to use the word "believe," especially relative to spiritual matters. I prefer to use the word "know." My reason for that is that I practice, and what does practicing give you? It gives you direct, first hand knowledge. I practice poetry, and in so doing learn what it means to write. I sit down at the drums, and I practice, usually on weekends when no one is home. I learn rhythms, as well as hearing the music of the different drums. When I sat down at my bosses drum set the other night, I got to learn the music his drums made, because he had different skins, maybe tighter than mine, different cymbals; you get the picture. Because I practice though, I can at least sit down and know how to approach the kit I am sitting at without changing too much of it's set-up. Highly personal stuff you see.
The same goes for Buddhism. We don't call what we do a belief system. We call it a practice. Why? Because that is what we are supposed to do for one, and secondly, the Buddha said to check it out. Don't believe, do it. See if it's real. Prove the words, don't just believe them. But wait you say. How about reincarnation? How can you know that? I can surely believe it because my teacher says it's a reality. I can believe his experience. And one day I will get to know it, as death will happen to us all. And there are practices such as phowa and shitro for that as well. But any teacher knows that you don't give an aspiring drummer lessons on advanced jazz rhythms when he barely can knock out some of the basic rhythms, or run a set of flams around the set alternating which stick is up. There is a beginning to everything. So I don't necessarily need to practice for reincarnation yet. It may well be that in learning these other practices, I will indeed come to know reincarnation rather intimately.
So I have taken my Teaching Program and started at the beginning. I've already mentioned that Rinpoche has started a meditation class that will run for 11 months. And he started at the very beginning, the Seven Point Posture of Vairochana. The Teaching Program goes into other practices, things to study, retreat suggestions, and otheractivities that seemed to favor developing compassion. The text suggestion contains at least one on Love and Compassion. Which means that I will be opening my heart, as the lotus opens in the great muddy of the Mekong Delta, or the Ganges. And not just to family, and friends, and snagha members. Practicng compassion and love goes way beyond that. The Bodhisattva vow is relative to all sentient beings. Including those of the religious right who see fit to make sure I can't practice that love and compassion. If I only love those that love me, I am a cracked cymbal, and out of tune drum. One form of the Bodhisattva vow states, "So may I become sustenance in every way for sentient beings to the limit of space until all have attained nirvana." To me that sums up quite well the notion that all are free to discover sustenance from me.
It does sound a bit insane, doesn't it? But it isn't really new. Buddha taught it, allegedly Jesus did. "Love your enemies." It isn't a sentiment we simply nod to though. As Buddhists, we practice the practices we do which will prepare us for those moments in real life when we will have opportunity to allow our heart to be open, potentially wounded and/or a source of sustenance. It will happen. The whole point of practice is to get to know something, and just knowing it on the cushion isn't enough, as any version of the Bodhisattva vow will reveal. That becomes a belief then. Being able to respond to suffering with compassion and wisdom is a goal of our sitting, and those needs are out among those who are suffering, rarely are they there with us on the cushion.
I have to be as open to any "believer" bent by hatred and dogma as I am to any sangha or family member. It might not be as hard as it seems. I can say that because as I practice, as I study, reflect, and meditate, I begin to see that my heart being open has no limit. It is like when I sit down and play, and pretty soon half the people upstairs drift down to hear who's playing, and they all ask what band I'm in (I'm not)(yet), and where I learned to play. I learned to play because I sat down and grabbed the sticks, and put the stick to the skins. After years of doing that, I decided to get lessons so I could learn what I didn't know, which is a lot. And now I have two teachers, both of whom teach me something, and then leave me alone.
To practice, practice, practice. To go beyond my fear and gain experience. To go beyond believing to knowing. From Grasshopper to Master. To haved an open mind, and an open heart, which is the best medicine for those who aren't.
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