Some More Buddhist Advice
From The Still Point Dhammapada
Geri Larkin
If we live our lives obsessing
about pleasant things,
our senses unrestrained--
eating too much, being lazy--
temptations will destroy us
even as the wind
uproots a weak tree.
*****
A wise person who admonishes
you for your faults
is a good person to follow.
Following such a one is like
following a guide to buried treasure.
Simply being
with that person
is helpful to you.
Full disclosure: I read these Buddhist passages from a Catholic point of view--which is to say that I may not be understanding many of the subtle currents or nuanced teachings of Buddhism. What I do and can understand, however, are the universals that sit at the very surface of these words. So, I will not presume to interpret the passages in any Buddhist sense, but I will say that there are two key pieces of advice here--avoid enslavement to the senses and appreciate those who have the courage to correctly bring you up short and tell you where you are lacking. The truth is often quite difficult, but it is nearly impossible to improve if one lives one's life in a sea of flattery. I'd rather know, in a very straightforward way, where I've gotten it right and where I've gone wrong.
Regarding that first comment, I searched for comparisons between Buddhism and Stoicism and found, fwiw, that in both cases desire is seen as the problem and that both are "it's up to you" disciplines from which there is no help beyond you, be it "sacrament or savior or therapist."
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWhich is why the caveat below is important. There is much to be learned from all faiths, but I invariably contextualize the learning from within my own. There are any number of nuances and discussions--and for Buddhism, there are any number of variations. For example, there are some who say either the Buddha, or Boddhisatvas are "helpers" in the cause. Or, another caution here, that can be my misreading of what is being said--just as there are some Catholics who would assert that we worship saints. (And I know there are contexts in which that statement could be seen as valid, but not in the common parlance.)
So, help taken from elsewhere needs the proper contextualization to be helpful. I read the first passage above as a warning--slavery to the senses will destroy us. But even in the Catholic context, we must want to be free of that slavery before our any action can take effect--so I don't know how different it is, because, in fact, if we don't wish it, there is no help from beyond. St. Thomas Aquinas pointed out that the single action the human will is capable of on its own is the rejection of God.
But thank you for pointing up the caution.
shalom,
Steven
The other problem I have with it is "obsession" and "slavery" are very loose terms given that there's a long continuum regarding slavery and obsession.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteFor obsessing, read "thinking always and/or only about," i.e. "the feel-good generation." Slavery is not within the passage itself, only in my explanation of it. And in casual observation it strikes me that too many are too reluctant to dismiss the momentarily pleasurable for the greater, longer-term good--hence an epidemic of childhood and adult obesity and other well documented physical and mental ills of our present society.
But then, I'll let the passage stand for itself. I've explained enough my own thought and each reader brings to the reading who he or she is and that makes meaning in itself. It is one of the great mysteries of reading.
But thank you for being so kind as to share your thoughts with us.
shalom,
Steven