Completed the sesshin today, the first one that I've actually lead. Surprisingly, it seemed to have gone well.We continued, between the meditation periods, the conversation documented in this blog on the topic of faith. This seemes to be a sticking point for many American Zen Buddhists.
Buddhism has often been described as both a rational religion and a religion of wisdom. Many people prefer not to call it a religion at all, but instead some vaguely-defined "something more like philosophy."
This does Buddhism a disservice. Buddhism is a religion, one of the so-called five great religions of the world, and it is a religion because, like all religions, it deals with man's relationship with the absolute, and also because it involves the element of faith.
In Buddhism, the term "faith" is not belief in something because it is written in a book, attributed to a prophet, or taught by some authority figure. The meaning of faith here is closer to confidence or trust. It is knowing that something is true because you have seen it work, because you have observed that very thing within yourself. There is trust in one’s own experience, and the wisdom that arises from one’s own experience. True faith in the Buddha-dharma is only possible when one validates the teachings for oneself.
The Buddha did not offer his teachings as a set of dogmas, but rather as a set of propositions for each individual to investigate for him- or herself. His invitation to one and all was "Come and see." One of the things he said to his followers was "Place no head above your own." By this he meant, don’t just accept somebody else’s word. See for yourself. So skepticism is integral to the Buddhist concept of faith (the yin i nthe midst of the yang).
And this is how Buddhism differs from most other religions. The faith is openly challenged and up for debate. in fact, if it isn't tested in practice, you're not practicing Buddhism. Also, the Buddhist definitiion of "the absolute" is not some separate other, say an omnipotent, vengeful, patriarchal god, but more the entire universe, including you, your mind, and your abstract mental formations.
So all of this was discussed and kicked around in between the meditation periods and in dokusan. After the sesshin was over, a small group of us went a saw the movie "Peaceful Warrior."
1 comment:
I was prepared to say I was not surprised that sesshin went well before I read your post.
Looks like it went well indeed.
I do not have it worked out in any way but I am starting to have a few glimpses of what it is about human consciousness that propels us toward some kind of religion. When I figure out how to explain what I have in mind when I say "the incompleteness of consciousness", I'll spit it out. But mean while, I do notice that for me the appeal of Buddhism is that it cuts through so much that encumbers other relgions and goes straight to the work of completing consciousness by practical exercises.
This probably isn't making any sense but thanks for the sense that you have made.
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