I woke up this morning mightily pleased with myself and my escapades yesterday. And like an adrenalin junky I set off bright eyed and bushy tailed in search for more adventure. I looked for it everywhere. On the micros, on the tempos, around Bouddha stupa, in my interactions with anyone and everyone.
Until at some point, the realisation hit me that I am not on a made to measure quest and that things will happen when they are meant to happen. At that, I felt my body let go of a tension that I wasn't aware of carrying and my mind relaxed into just being and seeing things just as they are.
Bit by bit, Life by Life and the Enlightened Pig
I met with the Lama Jamyang and the young monk Palden again this morning. The discussion was flowing a lot easier than yesterday and the Lama was comfortable enough to start quizzing me on my understanding of what he was saying: "You understand?" "Yes Lama". "Ok then repeat for me".
So what I learned today is that there aren't that many differences between Buddhist non-virtues and Christian sins:
Killing any being, stealing and sexual misconduct are sins of the Body
Lying, slandering, harsh words and idle gossip are sins of Speech
Harmful thoughts, envy and holding wrong views are sins of the Mind
And as in Christianity you can confess and repent, so can you in Buddhism. Here's how:
Imagine all the Buddhas materialise in front of you. Confess your actions and deeply regret them. Commit never to repeat them, even if it means your own death!
I was feeling a bit dejected by this stage. I buy the non-virtues as a good way to live. (Well, except the sexual misconduct bit, on which I quizzed and highly embarrassed the Lama with my questions on homosexuality, open relationships and so on). I really don't know anyone who has never in their lives killed any being (I think of all the mosquitoes and cockroaches I gleefully squashed), lied, stole (and before any of you complain, idea stealing is still stealing), slandering, said harsh words, gossippd, had mean thoughts, envied or held the wrong view at one time or another. I said this to the Lama who laughed and said: " Bit by bit, life by life".
In Buddhism, unlike in Christianity, if you get it wrong you have innumerable lives to get it right. It's not a one-shot religious philosophy. In Buddhism every little bit of merit, consciously earned or unconsciously gained, helps. The Lama told me the story of the Enlightened Pig.
A pig that lived near a stupa was one day chased by a vicious and hungry dog. The chase led the pig to circumnavigate the stupa. Circumnavigating stupas always brings merit and adds to one's good karma. That little bit of accidental merit was enough to tip the karma scales, so that the pig at its death (who knows whether at the teeth of the dog, the butcher's knife or great old age...) was born as a human being. In his life, the man that used to be a pig, found and followed dharma and so with each incarnation he build on his merit until he became enlightened.
So, bit by bit, life by life...
Rice under my pillow
The rest of the day after the talk with the Lama, I just chilled out, not looking for any thrills. Kathmandu has a mystical energy. It might be the chanting, the stupas, the Hindu temples, the sadhus or all of that together and more. Whatever it is, it leaves me wide open to go with the flow... which reminds me that tonight I will sleep with a small pouch of rice, flowers and a coin under my pillow. Why? Read tomorrow and you'll find out...
Until at some point, the realisation hit me that I am not on a made to measure quest and that things will happen when they are meant to happen. At that, I felt my body let go of a tension that I wasn't aware of carrying and my mind relaxed into just being and seeing things just as they are.
Bit by bit, Life by Life and the Enlightened Pig
I met with the Lama Jamyang and the young monk Palden again this morning. The discussion was flowing a lot easier than yesterday and the Lama was comfortable enough to start quizzing me on my understanding of what he was saying: "You understand?" "Yes Lama". "Ok then repeat for me".
So what I learned today is that there aren't that many differences between Buddhist non-virtues and Christian sins:
Killing any being, stealing and sexual misconduct are sins of the Body
Lying, slandering, harsh words and idle gossip are sins of Speech
Harmful thoughts, envy and holding wrong views are sins of the Mind
And as in Christianity you can confess and repent, so can you in Buddhism. Here's how:
Imagine all the Buddhas materialise in front of you. Confess your actions and deeply regret them. Commit never to repeat them, even if it means your own death!
I was feeling a bit dejected by this stage. I buy the non-virtues as a good way to live. (Well, except the sexual misconduct bit, on which I quizzed and highly embarrassed the Lama with my questions on homosexuality, open relationships and so on). I really don't know anyone who has never in their lives killed any being (I think of all the mosquitoes and cockroaches I gleefully squashed), lied, stole (and before any of you complain, idea stealing is still stealing), slandering, said harsh words, gossippd, had mean thoughts, envied or held the wrong view at one time or another. I said this to the Lama who laughed and said: " Bit by bit, life by life".
In Buddhism, unlike in Christianity, if you get it wrong you have innumerable lives to get it right. It's not a one-shot religious philosophy. In Buddhism every little bit of merit, consciously earned or unconsciously gained, helps. The Lama told me the story of the Enlightened Pig.
A pig that lived near a stupa was one day chased by a vicious and hungry dog. The chase led the pig to circumnavigate the stupa. Circumnavigating stupas always brings merit and adds to one's good karma. That little bit of accidental merit was enough to tip the karma scales, so that the pig at its death (who knows whether at the teeth of the dog, the butcher's knife or great old age...) was born as a human being. In his life, the man that used to be a pig, found and followed dharma and so with each incarnation he build on his merit until he became enlightened.
So, bit by bit, life by life...
Rice under my pillow
The rest of the day after the talk with the Lama, I just chilled out, not looking for any thrills. Kathmandu has a mystical energy. It might be the chanting, the stupas, the Hindu temples, the sadhus or all of that together and more. Whatever it is, it leaves me wide open to go with the flow... which reminds me that tonight I will sleep with a small pouch of rice, flowers and a coin under my pillow. Why? Read tomorrow and you'll find out...
No comments:
Post a Comment