Sometimes, I have to sit back and giggle while reading some of the more supernatural sutras. From a historicist viewpoint its understandable; expressing profound phrases to people masked as fairy tales was quite popular at the time. They added a bit of zeal. Call it nonfiction and youve got yourself some mystified followers. But from a presentist viewpoint... come on! Ha! Some of them, like the Lotus and Surangama sutras are so mystical and looooooong that we dont have to think about enlightenment when were done reading because were dead of boredom, old age or a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Its sutras like that which lend Buddhism its religious side. That and the rituals of course. Rituals can be a great way to focus or get yourself into that mindset, but we were warned many times to not get attached to them. Personally, I think personal rituals are quite pleasant for a person after theyre personalized. For instance, I spin around in three semi-circles each time I fart. No, not really. Personalization is often frowned upon in religions. Unanimity creates feelings of union and compassion and dedication or in one word... fanaticism. Zen washing. Take three bows, a begging bowl, a black zafu and do kinhin after the baahing stops. Group polarization at its finest. Why? Why why why do I attack the practice I practice? Because I practice it. Nothing is sacred, nor is anything lacking in sacredosity. Toss out the sutras and other works that are bland and impractical, find yourself a tie dye zafu if you choose to, wiggle your nose like Samantha on Bewitched if it suits you, because its not the words and the rituals that are important... its the passion and focus that are put into practicing them. Wait, passion in Zen? My godless god someone call Dogen, this loon needs to be put on shit stick duty. I accept said position with the utmost solemnity.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:50:10 +0000
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