Some one told me about the politic of Religion. Obviously when there is human, there is politics. Religions are basically for human, so how would religion be in existence without being political? I vividly remembered a book entitled 100 most influential men (maybe women) of the century. The 1st to appear in the list is the Prophet Mohamed, notably equals in his administration of his fellows believers of the Book as well as his ability to run a nation under the emblem of Islam, peace be upon you.
Buddhism is somehow different in such a perspective. Obviously, Buddha-ISM is no where nearer to any form of religion, we knew, which is GOD centric. Some may disagree. Closest to the notion of GOD is what is termed Dharmakaya and its tenet is reflected strongly in the concept of salvations most notable within the groups of Mahayana pure land practitioners and Vajrayana. Such were known as the Bodhisattva path of enlightenment. The myriad approach in the practice of Buddhism reflects the flexibility inherent in the preaching of the Buddha Dharmma, called Upaya, each cater for a specific frames of mind and needs. Obviously with the passing of times and the embrace of modernity, we also witnessed a boom in contemporary Buddhism some having the slogan of Guru for Hire, or The Guru Wears Jean. Whatever its form takes, the notion of Buddhism as a religion has taken a huge turn beyond the iconography of the Kasaya Robe, bald head and the begging bowl to jeans, contemporary hairdo and wallet. The thin line of religion has been fused or we conveniently called it a way of life?
The modernity way of Buddhist life, has in many ways, been a subject of abuse. If the term abuse is too strong, then the softer version shall be, modified to suit the necessity of the day. This is another form of Upaya. Fusing Fengshui and Buddhism is another way of Upaya. Relatively new aged Fengshui blending into Tibetan Buddhism has been in the glossy magazines, Fengshui boutiques and some rich man's home has been quite a norm lately, whereas, new aged Fengshui has found its place in the arena of Taoist-Confucius-Buddhist or the Chinese centric communities long beforehand. There has been no problem whatsoever, this is again, Upaya. So, it will be whimsical if there is one day when the Guru adoration and Guru Puja be replaced with Fengshui Master adoration and Fengshui Master Puja, because the Master has more ability to bring in funds, needed in the sense of modernity. Do we still called this Upaya?
There goes the choice of PLUGGING-IN to the sense and the call of modernity, so it cannot be construed as an abuse. Otherwise, PLUGGING-OUT to the paths of Sila Smadhi Panna, the middle way, where vacation away from the "filthy" human realm is called for. The later choice had been the footstep of the founder of Buddhism, away into the wild in search for the real self. Again, the caveat is that it could not be for long. The real Buddha Dharma is within the human existence. The human politics are the best Buddha, so to speak.
A Muslim friend of mine has reminded me this. Why search for the truth, when there is so much untruth within oneself that is required to be purged? Only then would light be radiate through our hearts and souls. This is GOD's blessing, peace be upon you.
There is no Buddha in the caves, or the jungles and the deserts. The Buddha is found in the heart of every "filthy" human existence. We called upon the Guru, the Sangha, to be our Kalyana Mitra. Lead us to see through Samsara in the vicious cycle of human politics via the wisdom of the Buddha Dharma. To purge all the falsehood and to receive the Buddha nature within.
In response to vinleo.com's blogspot, I register my support to Ven Geshela Tenzin Zopa's return.
Ar. David Yek Tak Wai
There goes the choice of PLUGGING-IN to the sense and the call of modernity, so it cannot be construed as an abuse. Otherwise, PLUGGING-OUT to the paths of Sila Smadhi Panna, the middle way, where vacation away from the "filthy" human realm is called for. The later choice had been the footstep of the founder of Buddhism, away into the wild in search for the real self. Again, the caveat is that it could not be for long. The real Buddha Dharma is within the human existence. The human politics are the best Buddha, so to speak.
A Muslim friend of mine has reminded me this. Why search for the truth, when there is so much untruth within oneself that is required to be purged? Only then would light be radiate through our hearts and souls. This is GOD's blessing, peace be upon you.
There is no Buddha in the caves, or the jungles and the deserts. The Buddha is found in the heart of every "filthy" human existence. We called upon the Guru, the Sangha, to be our Kalyana Mitra. Lead us to see through Samsara in the vicious cycle of human politics via the wisdom of the Buddha Dharma. To purge all the falsehood and to receive the Buddha nature within.In response to vinleo.com's blogspot, I register my support to Ven Geshela Tenzin Zopa's return.
Ar. David Yek Tak Wai
