Memos from the Pure Land

On various forums I have ended up posting Memos from the Pure Land. The title is in part simply my whimsical sense of humour. Just how "pure" the land I'm in is is for others to judge - if they are of the judging kind.

I find writing them therapeutic. I have my own mental health issues and, again, I can be fairly vulnerable. But I can sit down in Costa's and it can all pour out. Anything. I might have some ideas first, but really it is almost stream of consciousness stuff.

I posted earlier this morning on some thread about whether we believed in the immortality of the soul. I posted:-

[i]I don't believe in anything. I don't mean this in any nihilistic sense. I simply have Trust that Reality-as-is, is.....yes..... "trustworthy". My trust offers no guarantees that I will be "kept safe" or that I will live forever.

My trust means that I can accept the next moment without pre-conditions. Reality moves forward into pure novelty.

It really is simple. Almost like a child.[/i]

I thought afterwards that perhaps I could expand on the "Trust", that I trust in the infinite compassion, the infinite wisdom and the infinite potential of the Reality in which we "live and move and have our being."

It's virtually a default position (or "no-position"....😀 ) evolving from the simple recognition that what good is, what evil is, what truth is, what untruth is, what happiness is, what unhappiness is, not one of these is finally within my grasp. That what the Japanese call [i]jiriki[/i] (self-power) is helpless in the face of life's deepest questions.

There is a great song by Robbie Robertson, of the Band, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". and a great line from it:-

[i]Just take what you need and leave the rest[/i]

Which seems fine, but the next line of the song is:-

[i]But they should never have taken the very best[/i]

How can we ever know what is the best?

One of the great zen masters, Dogen (13th century Japan) once said:-

[i]Therefore, if there are fish that would swim or birds that would fly only after investigating the entire ocean or sky, they would find neither path nor place. When we make this very place our own, our practice becomes the actualization of reality[/i]

I have often pondered those words. I understand that many today have little time to ponder. I'm sorry. The words to me point to the need for trust. We must find our very own time and place and path unique to our own unique unrepeatable humanity. Helping others to find their own is part of it, at least I think so. Yet how can we ever investigate the "entire ocean or sky"?

We all have our own questions and I think our questions are more important than our answers. Dogen had his question, which weighed upon his mind. Losing his father and mother early the impermanence of existence pervaded his question and his own quest for time, place and path. His question revolved around the Mahayana Buddhist teaching of "original enlightenment". If we were all originally enlightened then what was the point of practice? Why did all the previous masters and Buddhas "practice"?

In the original Theravada texts the historical Buddha was asked this question and answered:- "Out of compassion for future generations".

Dogen had to find his own answer, which can never be the words of a book or a creed. It must be written on the heart. He travelled to China in search of his answer - all the great zen (ch'an) masters were there. He arrived at a monastery and met an old cook who provided food for the novices. Dogen said to him:- "would you not rather be practising?" and the old guy just laughed. It took Dogen many more years before he understood why.

Our answers are found in our own unique time and place, however lowly by some standards. We have to come home. And as Dogen also found, the journey itself is home, and the road goes on forever.

Anyway, I'm not in Costa's today, but up in the Oxfam Vinyl Record department. Listening to Neil Diamond at the moment, occasionally disturbed by a customer who actually wants to buy something!

That is all for now.

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Tariki

My next Memo, after a visit to the dentist. Not too painful, in fact the most painful bit was the price.

I'll waffle here because it is quiet and to be honest I'm virtually finished with "crossing swords" with the "true" believers.

For the Dharma, our suffering comes from ignorance. In Pali, the language of the fundamental Theravada texts, [i]dukkha [/i]arises from [i]avidya[/i]. Both Pali terms/words have deeper connotations than what is often associated with the terms as normally translated. Understanding grows.

From a Buddhist perspective the "God Idea" is simply seen as one example of avidya/ignorance. Organised religion an extension.

The Abrahamic Religions are the "People of the Book." They dispute among themselves [i]which[/i] book, and then which interpretation. In my own travels through the religions my best experience was reading of the joy of certain Rabbi's who rejoiced in the words of the Torah. They threw about various interpretations and insights, relevant to themselves and where they found themselves in historical time and place. Even in the Warsaw ghetto they rejoiced in the Word of their Father.

Along comes Christianity and Islam. Christianity so often condemns the Jews as not recognising the Messiah when he came. Islam, the "seal of the Prophets", adds another layer to complete the full revelation of Allah.

From my own Pure Land perspective I see what those Rabbi's had that many Christians and Muslims lack.....the simple yet profound trust that they have been [i]chosen[/i]. The sheer insistance in the various theologies of Christianity and Islam that [i]ALL[/i] depends upon our choice or "decision" as the [b]causal basis[/b] of salvation is apparently unnegotiable. Thus they have, for all intents and purposes, a salvation by works - this no matter what their protestations are to the contrary.

[i]It is a necessary stage on the path where self-power is also appreciated, in reflection, as the working of Other Power.[/i]

.....as the Pure Land writer Taitetsu Unno writes.

Why is all this important? Simply because one of the fundamental expressions in our world of avidya/ignorance is the chant of "sheep" and "goats", "lost" and "saved", "us" and "them". And not just now, but projected onto eternity, the so called "world to come."

It must of needs be "us". What comes to one will come to all.

"In protecting ourselves we protect others;
In protecting others we protect ourselves"

(Theravada text)

Tariki

Another memo, far from the madding crowd. Quiet, under the flak. Bringing things together. Talking to myself.

Someone asked the question:- "What keeps you alive despite everything thrown at you" and I answered:- "Being thankful for [i]whatever[/i] is thrown at me."

Well, I'm well aware that what is "thrown" at some is beyond my own experience. Sometimes suffering so terrible I can only give thanks that it was not mine - which I suppose, thinking about it, adds a slight twist to my answer to the question. But we can only live our own lives; one is enough!

Meister Eckart said that if the only prayer we ever said was "thank you" it would be enough. He also spoke of "true obedience" in terms of prayer, that the prayer that simply says "Thy will be done" is far, far above any
petitionary prayer that asks for this or that, however pious the request. Eckhart saw that God wills the [i]very best[/i] for us, thus prayer for His will only is the only "obedience" necessary.

I am a non-theist. Eckhart and others, though, of the Christian Faith are seen by many non-theistic Buddhists as "dharma brothers." Maybe Eckhart would have seen many such Buddhists as "brothers in Christ". I would not know.

What I do know is that the image of God projected by many is to my mind repugnant, their "only way" theologies - as I see it - simply a barter system of "if you scratch my back I'll scratch yours", their God's grace far from "amazing", their "Good News" just about as bad as you can get.

Simply being thankful for all that comes is born of pure trust in Reality. And it is dynamic, not passive. It gives rise to positive love of the world, empathy towards others, and acts of compassion.

The great zen teacher, Bodhidharma, taught such acceptance/thankfulness as one of the entries of the Way; the Great Way of the Hsin Hsin Ming teaches pure "non-discrimination", and in my own Pure Land Faith:-

[i]Whether heading for the Pure Land
Or heading for hell
All is in Amida's hands.
Namu-amida-butsu![/i] (i.e. "thank you")

For those in the Pure Land, it is not salvation BY faith. Faith/trust IS salvation. Thank you to all things.

The non-dual east. But enough of "non-duality"......it is where I slip into words often called "mumbo jumbo" by those unfortunate enough to stumble across them.

Anyway, that is enough. Any negative comments will not be deleted, but WILL BE ignored.

And so to rest.

Tariki

Well, not really another Memo. Gasps of relief! Just here as a refugee from our ardent "people of the book" (or more accurately, "books") Seriously, I can't take anymore at the moment.

Take your pick folks. Did Jesus die on the cross for your sins and rise from the dead? Or did he actually only appear to do so? The Koran or the New Testament? And how is it that we decide? More often than not, simply the time, place and culture we are born into. Yet, according to the "orthodox" our eternal destiny can depend upon our choice.

A Catholic scholar, Heinrich Dumoulin, has some words worth reflection....

[i]Whether, on its deepest ground, being is personal or impersonal, is something that humans will never be able to plumb by their rational powers. Here we face a decision which one makes according to one's own tradition and upbringing, and still more according to one's faith and experience. The Christian sees ultimate reality revealed in the personal love of God as shown in Christ, the Buddhist in the silence of the Buddha. Yet they agree on two things: that the ultimate mystery is ineffable, and that it should be manifest to human beings. The inscription on a Chinese stone figure of the Buddha, dated 746, reads......

"The Higest truth is without image.

If there were no image at all, however, there would be no way for truth to be manifested.

The highest principle is without words.
But if there were not words at all, how could principle possibly be revealed?"[/i]

Well, my grandaughter, not yet three, is not to be fooled. After a year or so of "grandad's special pizza" she saw through the whole thing.........."THAT'S not pizza, that's cheese on toast". And Grandad, chastened, retired to the kitchen to lick his wounds.

But nevertheless, yes, a Reality must be "manifested" - undeniably. Here we are folks! Look around!

As I see it the only "revelation" is Reality itself. We can claim a particular book is pre-eminent, yet why? How do we decide?

Well, here is the Pure Lander, Saichi, a cobbler by trade. No one special...
[i]
O Saichi! What is your delight?
This world of delusion is my delight!
It contains the seeds of relishing the Dharma.
Namu-amida-butsu is blooming everywhere![/i]

Thank you

(Well, I said not another Memo, but.....)

Tariki

Safely sitting in Costa's once again. Time for another waffle......or perhaps not. But here goes...

I was thinking of "words". For me words are powerful things. Some say that they are simply indicators, pointers......as in "do not mistake the finger that points for the moon itself." But, whatever, more words now....

There is a story to be found in the great Jewish spiritual tradition which I have often pondered. Not truly understanding it. But as Dogen has said, "where we do not understand, [i]there[/i] is our understanding." Maybe we can jump in far too soon and hear words according to our current beliefs and perhaps miss entirely what they are seeking to teach us.

Anyway, the story...

[i]When the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov asked him how to know whether a celebrated teacher and scholar whom they proposed to visit was a true teacher, he answered:-

"Ask him to advise you what to do to keep unholy thoughts from distracting you in your prayers and studies. If he gives you advice, then you know that he belongs to those who are of no account."[/i]

I actually got into trouble on another forum telling this story. One worthy, fond of offering advice to all and sundry, raised objections! Sometimes you just have to laugh!

I think it all has to do with the contrast between the [i]Living Word[/i] and the word as text. Reality itself is in charge of the Living Word. We have to make do with our own, often inadequate.

Much like the average vulture evangelist who lays in wait for the unwary, who cry out:- "What must I do to be saved!" and answers them with a few verses, formulas and precise instructions according to their own understanding and received theology.

When Jesus was asked, he said "follow me" (forget about giving all your riches to the poor, no one takes much notice of that)

How do you "follow"? Really?

Having said all the above, I would not dare to answer.

Tariki

A minor memo on "free will". Free will is a red herring.

God has not given us free will so that we can then "choose" Him or not.

We are all chosen. God does not give us free will. He gives us Himself, who is [i]radical freedom[/i]. Gift, grace....a [i]realisation[/i] not an attainment.

We become free by union with God.

"You were chosen before the foundation of the earth." As is said.

"You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." As is said.

Believing that our "decision" is the [i][b]causal basis[/b][/i] of salvation is to believe in, and to rely upon, a "salvation by works".

As Taitetsu Unno has said:- [i]it is a necessary stage on the path where self-power is also appreciated, in reflection, as the working of Other Power.[/i]

This all far more clearly seen in faiths other than that the distortions found in Protestant Reform Theology.

[i]They who have known God have known also this one certainty; that it was God's grace that led them to it, and framed them in readiness for it, and prepared their heart and mind for it; and it was God alone who lifted them to that embrace."[/i]

(Swami Abhayananda of the Hindu faith)

Tariki

It has been a busy morning. Retirement is not all it is cracked up to be. Once we had managed to hand over the grandchildren to mum, we had further chores. Then shopping, booking a couple of appointments. Now in Costa's before more shopping, then 4 hours in Oxfam.....hoping that this obviously right-wing guy doesn't pop in again to spout off.

Anyway, tiring here. Fading. Too much of this "last days" stuff where people, instead of simple human solidarity with others who suffer, instead see "signs" of "prophecies" being "fulfilled"! Times up folks, here comes the new world. Sod this one. Time to get our reward for believing the unbelievable.

No point engaging with such folk. They have created a monster and are terrified of their own creation. Yet like to speak of "love" and "amazing grace". In their little cacoon of "spirit led" truth, a truth they deem is unknown to the "natural man".....and so on, ad nauseum.

Basically their time is up, if it was ever here.

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