The Post

Opinions suggest that it is OK to continue discussion, but I have a problem. I find that a believer is like a goat tied to an imaginary post, and a professional believer has no need of even a rope. They have forgotten what it is like to gambol in a field without fences or ropes or posts, and because their droppings have accumulated enough to create a hillock from which they can observe other goats thus frolicking, they go so far as to think, "Well, eventually all goats will be tied to a post, and I believe one day the farmer will come and take me into his house and set me at his table and give me good things to eat and we will all be happy."

But it is not going to happen. To live tied to a post is to die tied to a post, and if one should wake up in another world he will still be tied to a post. And to keep company with such a goat is to suffer the same fate. So get me out of that one, please.

I understand that the saying goes, "The truth shall set you free," not, "Here's a perpetual luncheon you don't have to pay for."

~TK

The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained: that true happiness and contentment are possible. ~ Buddhism

Recant? Re can't. No worries for me, it's all just good conversation. . While beliefs have retained their core they always remain in flux. Here's to open minds and continued learning. But I do love to tell stories so here comes one.


Hugh

In my hometown at the Forum Café and Bowling Alley the usual quintet of Sid Buddha, Sean Calvin, Diogenese Cynic, Zeno Stoic, and Mo Amed had gathered for morning tea. General Lee was reading at the next table, as U Grant sipped laced iced tea.

“Life is suffering,” said Sid.

“Indeed it is,” Diogenes and Zeno chimed in simultateously.

“What would you expect from we humans?” replied Sean. “Yet,” continued Sean, “I believe our suffering is part of our karma; expected but I believe it ultimately leads to good.”

“Amen to that brother,” intoned Sid. “In the good ol U.S here, democracy appears to be a sham in that the rich seem to have bought the country. Yet despite the plight of the poor there remains an optimism and a sense of can do, that almost deifies reason.”

“Indeed,” added Mo, “We are a peace loving people following the Koran but we are known as wild eyed terrorists. Yet, unlike some other groups, we have no one who speaks for all of us.”

“I was taking a nap one day,” said Diogenes, “and this fellow strode up to me and said, ‘I am Alexander a great king.’ I replied, ‘I am Diogenes the dog.’ And then I asked him to move out of the sun. The point is a lot of self inflation doesn’t make us any better than any other.”

At the next table General Lee piped up and said, “So, how are you all feeling today?”

Sean said, “My hemorrhoids are acting up, but I’m happy.”

Mo added, “My eyes are running from allergies, but I feel happy as well.”

Zeno commented, “I’ve got a bit of athletes foot, but life if good.”

Diogenes said, “I had to put one of my dogs down, but all is well by me.”*

Sid said, “When I was rich I was sad, but now life is very good and I’m content.”

“Glad to hear it,” voiced General Lee as General Grant slid from his chair onto the floor. They all went over and picked up and placed him back in his chair. One of them said, “Likely too much tea, but he seems okay.”

*Cynic comes from the Greek word for dog. J

The Pro

I must observe that Reverend Hugh is a professional believer and it would be unseemly to try to make him recant any portion of his beliefs right here on TV, on his own blog. Therefore any discussion and/or argument on any topic that is already settled in his mind would appear to be off limits. What would be the point?

Is it only practical, then, to discuss some topic that everyone concedes is not yet settled, which might progress to a new and useful agreement? If so, what kind of topic would it be?

~TK

Or . . .

Or, what does it all have to do with the price of golf balls, Hugh might have said, something with which I'm sure he is well acquainted, having no doubt lost a few.

The Buddha's famous first statement to humankind was, "Life is suffering." Much as I might not like to, I see some kind of mystical correspondence between that and Calvin's "total depravity," which is a concession worthy of Lee at Appomattox. We shall see what General Grant (Mr. Drennan) makes of that.

But "life is suffering" has also been translated variously as "disappointing, or unsatisfactory." That life is disappointing could hardly be disputed by the vast majority of individuals—disappointing politically, economically, socially, religiously, and in every other way, and then it ends in death. This brooks no argument.

So Buddha's purpose, as I understand it, was not somehow to transform all of that into happiness, either in this life or in whatever follows, but through understanding and subsequent right action to break free from what he saw as an ongoing, incessant, habitual round of the same old foolishness that causes this misery in the first place. I do not see this as conflicting with the essential teachings of Jesus, whichever of those have reached us in authentic form uncontaminated by their various interpreters.

~TK

Great Book

I have just finished reading a book by Fareed Zakaria, entitled The Post-American World. I have been so excited about a book since I read Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope. Both have helped give me hope for this country of our as we move through turbulent times.

If you watch “Meet the Press” you have likely seen and heard Fareed Zakaria who is fairly regular on their panel. He came to this country from India was he was 18 and has an absolutely amazing grasp of our country, it politics, and how it stands in the world. He obviously loves the country and sees our great strengths but well points out mistakes we have made and make and how we could do better.

His point, as the title indicates, is that there will come a time, perhaps not so far from now, when we will no longer be the most powerful and dominant country in the world. This does not mean we will fade away but we will need to learn how to live in a world and share power and influence with countries as powerful and as influential as our own.

This is the second printing of his book, originally published in 2008, but been updated as of this year. There is a descent synopsis of the book on Wikipedia, but I would encourage reading it in its entirely. It is a delicious read.

HD

Life’s Purpose

At risk of being a reductionist, which I often am, it appears to me that the discussion that Tim and I have had for some period of time and now I delighted that Paul has joined in, resonate on a common theme we all wrestle with during life; what is the purpose. What are we here, if we’re here. What are we supposed to be doing while we are here? Or as it was expressed in my college days: Who am I? Where am I going? And, is it important?

I have a good deal of the philosopher in me, which I take to mean I am always searching for truth but will always have doubts. I also am a theologian who uses the same tools of philosophy but makes that jump to a belief, an absolute truth, even though I may not ever completely grasp it. I think eastern and western philosophy and religions are work on these issues.

In these common searches it seems to me that there are two basic paths in the search for truth, or enlightenment as Tim brings Buddhism into conversation. These two paths seem to be found in all the religions. Is truth/enlightenment something we can attain, achieve or find; which the majority of folk seem to believe. Or, is truth/enlightenment something that is merely a gift which we receive.

Most eastern traditions, as I understand them, teach we achieve meaning in life by thinking and living in a certain manner. The Judao-Christian tradition varies from that in that it Judaism there are sacrifices made to atone for our inability to follow the “law” path to right relationships with God, knowing that they don’t really work. In Christianity it is more, who you know that what you know. That the end point of life, salvation/health is a gift with no strings attached, this achieved by the God/human Jesus, the only one capable of healing the rift between God and humanity. I will note however, that most Christians don’t really believe this and still believe in works righteousness.

As I have mentioned before, I believe our purpose here on earth, this plane of existence is to learn good citizenship for the kingdom of God that has been given to us. We try to follow in the paths and teachings of Jesus, but know we will always fail, but that is not held against us. (It’a like golf, we strive for perfection and always fail. M.M.)

To contrast that with the teaching of Siddhartha Gotama Budda. Buddha believed he reached enlightenment at age 35 and then taught his philosophy of life. Basically we are to live moral lives, aware of the effects of our thoughts and actions, and to become wise. He taught noble truths, and eight fold path, and five precepts. Wisdom, for Buddha was compassion for others, being open, objective, unbigoted, patience, flexibility and intelligence.  I embrace practically all of what Buddha taught; but it is a philosophy of how to attain a happy life.

I also believe that God intends us to be happy. But in both Buddhism and other religions and philosophies, it is well known that pain and suffering in a part of living fulfilled lives. I loved being a pastor and teaching the great truths that I knew and relating with people I loved and who loved me. It was also often a total pain in the ass as believers keep taking their eye of the ball and bitching about a lot of unimportant stuff. Or, it is just another human institution, with all its human foibles even if it is the visible embodiment of the invisible body of Christ. (Think I’m in for it now.)

I am now delighted the Paul has made his comments, which I find always on target and well said. Ah this thing called soul and its forms.

There is an old Hebrew legend that that originally God created us as beings of light and now that light is trapped in our human bodies, but we will return to that light. Just thought I’d toss that in.

So much more to say, but I’ll leave it here for now and will move on to the more mundane aspects of life.

Thank you Tim and Paul for making my life richer for sharing of your wisdom. I look forward to the continuing dialogue dance.

[A note of Marj if you’re reading, and I assume you are. Can you tell me the name of the book I alluded to in an earlier piece about the boy who embraced a number of religions?]

Hugh

Consciousness (individuality/soul) as "an event!" That seems like a very promising line of inquiry—will require some reflection. Thanks for chiming in, Paul, and please persist.

~TK