The furor over recent comments by Brit Hume suggesting that Tiger Woods convert from Buddhism to Christianity is intriguing, don't you think?
Having recently seen my son Ethan represent the Buddhist community on CNN, it occurred to me that many folks here in the West may not really know much about the Buddhist tradition and what it has to say about redemption, salvation, or anything else for that matter.
What an incredible opportunity for American Buddhists to step forward and share their tradition, experience and point of view. I think it's safe to say that the general population has much greater awareness of Christianity than they do of Buddhism. I certainly didn't notice anybody asking the presidential candidates if they took every word of the Prajnaparamita sutra to be the literal truth, word for word, as the basis for evaluating how they would govern!
Since Mr. Hume emphasized the idea of redemption as the best medicine for what he thinks is ailing Tiger Woods and implied that Christianity has a better redemption "package" than Buddhism (without really illuminating the basis on which he was making that determination), it seemed appropriate to have a look at what, if anything, Buddhism actually does have to say about the notion of redemption or salvation.
According to Buddhist history, right before his death the Buddha gave his last address to his followers: "Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation."
My teacher, Trungpa Rinpoche, emphasized that Buddhism is a non-theistic discipline. By that he meant that we shouldn't rely on the power of an external, even if "divine", source for salvation or redemption. As he often said, "we have to hitch up our own chubas " or putting it more in the American vernacular "we have to pick up our own socks." Even more directly, "if you make a mess, then YOU have to clean it up".
There are many ways within the Buddhist tradition to heal, recover, repair, repent, or refrain from harmful actions, but the essence of all of these methods is restoring and re-connecting to one's own innate and indestructible goodness, not depending on salvation through the intervention of an external agent whether it be Buddha, Jesus or any other spiritual guide.
The concept of Original Sin is completely absent in the Buddhist teachings. In fact, Buddhism holds a very basic tenet that at the heart of every sentient being is a fundamental, indestructible, and already intact basic goodness called Buddha nature. Through our own actions we can obscure our connection to that Buddha nature. Through our own actions we can purify and restore that connection.
Maybe this conversation is, in essence, really about theism vs. non-theism. Since theism seems ultimately to require a leap of faith, and non-theism by definition has to be confirmed by one's individual experience, it seems that there really might be a difference between these two approaches. As to which might be better for Tiger Woods, who can say? Maybe we should ask him ...
In any case, using this blog format to explore all these matters further could be wonderful and enlightening. I invite everybody of any persuasion to throw their two cents into the pot below. My only request is that we stay within the framework that both Christ and Buddha would surely agree to: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"- let's be kind, polite and respectful to each other in the exchange.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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From this standpoint, you would view Hume to be well intentioned based on a fundamentalist perspective that his personal flavor of Christian beliefs are the only path to the truth. And so naturally, the only way to "salvation" is to follow these beliefs.
I am Buddhist, and one of the Buddhist teaching that resonates most for me is the thought that there is no absolute "right" path. As seekers, what we need to guide us along the path at any point in time is very individual. For some of us, it is one of the many shades of Buddhism, and for most others it is Christianity, Islam, Judaism.
"It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt"
Brite Hume opened his mouth and revealed his stupidity. He commented on something he knew nothing about , and is too lazy to find out. It is perfectly OK to express your own opinion. But Mr. Hume did not express as an individual, but as a journalist whose standards should be held higher. I feel embarrassed for him.
I really like the title of the author and Episcopal priest, Matthew Fox’s book, “Original Blessing.” I think this viewpoint is more in line with Buddha nature.
Yes, prayer and meditation are ways we can steep ourselves in the Divine. Asking for Divine intervention and forgiveness is a great way to start embodying forgiveness. In order to embody forgiveness means we have self forgiveness and also have empathy for ourselves and others. To have true empathy, we would need to sift through our motives and actions by knowing, understanding and integrating our internal thoughts and feelings connected to said actions.
For my money, thi s is the awareness I imagine Buddha was speaking of the night before his death as well as the teachings of Jesus.
It seems to me that theism versus non-theism could be held in a bigger picture of the nature of God, Universe or Absolute. Can we see past the names into the heart or essence of existence?
All best, DN
Your comment is a classic example of "sanctified chauvenism".
It seems that Brit Hume makes a huge assumption that Tiger Woods would stop cheating on his wife or paying for sexual pleasure if he accepted Jesus Christ and then he would be saved (I assume from hell?)...But from my experience, he would not necessarily stop doing these things, he would just feel a lot more guilt around them and perhaps repent to make himself feel better. In the end, the world is not a better place for it and Tiger's karma is his own.
I guess I have a hard time even grasping what Christians are talking about when they refer to salvation. We are all safe and unsafe all the time. Death comes without warning to all of us...the cheaters and the fully devout.
Seems like comparing apples and oranges to me.
Thanks for sharing...Ethan did a good job, though I wish he would have emphasized more the point at the end, that there is no dichotomy between Christianity and Buddhism and should have welcomed Brit Hume to a Shambala center near him for some basic mind training :)
Yours in the Dharma,
Kiri
There's no doubt that how we each see the world is framed by how we were trained/conditioned to see it.
It is interesting to note, extracting from your comments, that Buddhist training in mindfulness, awareness and compassion is fundamentally not dogmatic or faith based and really could be practiced by anybody of any faith without contradiction.... Learning how to be more mindful and aware in particular is what I call the perfect mixer.... it goes with everything....
Sending all best, DN
One purpose of Buddhism is to lead a noble life. For me, Fox News and it's agents have no attention on nobility. They are entirely about righteousness and getting even with whatever is not them.
They represent the dark side of our society. Without noble intent commerce taints all of us.
Charlie Smith
In any case, as you are saying here.... it was also definitely thru the filter of his own view of things, but I think to greater or lesser extent we're all doing that....
Maybe people in positions of power and influence should be extra careful about pushing their point of view too strongly without having a full and informed view of those they are pushing them onto.
Thanks for your comments, DN
http://biblicalsalvation.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/reconciliation/
What happens to those seek for redemption in a manner contrary to Buddhic principles? Is there redemption available to them through blowing up village markets or slaughtering their children on sacrificial altars?
Thank you for modeling how to meet a mind fixed in its point of view with gentle open clarity. I'm humbled to realize that that option has been invisible to me many times in similar conversations.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-cara-barker/what-palin-shatner-and-mi_b_393615.html?show_comment_id=36479891#comment_36479891
Commented Dec 16, 2009 at 21:54:21 in Living
“The Buddha's Eightfold Noble Path actually prevent fresh negative karmic . Right Understanding; Right Thoughts; Right Speech; Right Livelyhood; Right Action; Right Effort; Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
If you read up on these Noble Paths you will find that the Buddha's Teachings is actually not a religion. It is a way of life that uses common sense to guide our body, mind and actions. How many times did our wrong speech caused enmity and hurt others? Right Mindfulness teaches us to guard our six senses like a boat with six holes that need to be plugged to prevent our untowards reaction to external and internal phenomenon.”
As to whether Buddhism is a way of life or a religion, that is an interesting question. What do you think the difference is?
DN
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-and-deb-shapiro/what-the-buddha-would-say_b_366996.html?show_comment_id=35162681#comment_35162681
Commented Nov 25, 2009 at 02:28:42 in Living
“Pt. 1
Sharing The Bodhi Heart.
Everyone including animals has a Bodhi heart or Buddha nature. It is the selfless, egoless nature found in everyone. It is also where the Ten Perfections of a Buddha can be found. How can I recognize my Bodhi Heart? When you are driving and chance to come across an accident and you see people injured. The first reaction is to stop and help. That, my friends, is the Bodhi Heart. It is unselfish, spontaneous and recognize suffering. After a while instead of stopping to help you worry that you will be late for work and all the excuses that come by. The latter part is not the Bodhi Heart it is the heart of a person bound to the earth and make the saddest sound(as in El Condo Pasa sang by S&G).”