Why do I believe in Buddhism?
There are many reasons, and I could ramble on about the philosophy and how I have judged it myself to be true, but that is only a part of it. I believe, because never in my life has anything brought tears to my eyes in the way that the teachings of the Buddha and his disciples have. Please excuse me, this is not meant to be a sermon extolling Buddhism. I believe this can happen with any faith that truly resonates with us, in my limited experience though, I have never known anything that has moved me (besides the literary works of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and the music of Radiohead) in such a profound manner. Words will surely fail in my attempt to express why, because the feelings that arise in me are beyond what language, or at least the English language, can convey. In a way, the feelings I have for Buddhism are kind of like love. Not infatuation or obsession, but in the way they arise. I don't just agree with the words, I don't just venerate the images, I don't just respect the customs. The totality of Buddhism, whatever the hell that means anyway, resonates with me on a level that transcends concepts of subject and object. If all sentient beings could know what I feel when I am in the presence of great Lamas or sacred images or merely when I am hanging up prayer flags, there is not a single doubt in my mind, that for those few fleeting moments, they would be truly happy. I have never known an idea, a concept, a notion, a formulation that actually affects me in a way as if it were a living thing. I agree with socialism, and pacifism, and environmentalism, but when I think about such philosophies they don't move me internally the way that the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha, does. Again, words are lacking, but brilliant luminosity is the best thing I can think of. A kind of glowing, St. Elmo's fire-like warmth that could even dispel the most brutal cold. This is what I feel. And this is why I believe. Imagine climbing to the top of the most beautiful, untouched Himalayan peak. The sky is unbelievably vast, the most brilliant undefiled blue you have or ever will see. The horizon is a jigsaw of snow capped peaks and rising behind you is an even higher mountain covered in snow, and glowing white. From the valley floor, you had seen this peak and were captivated by it. From here, though still far below its summit, it brings you to tears. This is what I feel. And this is why I believe.
By the way, tomorrow, the 17th of November is Lhabab Duchen, the day that Śākyamuni Buddha descended from heaven back to Earth. It is believed that on this day, one's actions, be they positive or negative, are multiplied ten million times. So do good things tomorrow! As for me, I am hiking nine kilometers up to the 3,000 meter peak of Triund to hang up more prayer flags than I ever have before. These are no ordinary prayer flags, I have had them all consecrated by some very nice monks at Gyumed Gompa, which is the unsuspecting top floor of a guest house near the center of town. I cannot become enlightened by hanging up prayer flags, but by doing so certainly I can work towards it.
The Frequency is Courage
- Doug B.
P.S. The summit of the other peak is nirvana.
There are many reasons, and I could ramble on about the philosophy and how I have judged it myself to be true, but that is only a part of it. I believe, because never in my life has anything brought tears to my eyes in the way that the teachings of the Buddha and his disciples have. Please excuse me, this is not meant to be a sermon extolling Buddhism. I believe this can happen with any faith that truly resonates with us, in my limited experience though, I have never known anything that has moved me (besides the literary works of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and the music of Radiohead) in such a profound manner. Words will surely fail in my attempt to express why, because the feelings that arise in me are beyond what language, or at least the English language, can convey. In a way, the feelings I have for Buddhism are kind of like love. Not infatuation or obsession, but in the way they arise. I don't just agree with the words, I don't just venerate the images, I don't just respect the customs. The totality of Buddhism, whatever the hell that means anyway, resonates with me on a level that transcends concepts of subject and object. If all sentient beings could know what I feel when I am in the presence of great Lamas or sacred images or merely when I am hanging up prayer flags, there is not a single doubt in my mind, that for those few fleeting moments, they would be truly happy. I have never known an idea, a concept, a notion, a formulation that actually affects me in a way as if it were a living thing. I agree with socialism, and pacifism, and environmentalism, but when I think about such philosophies they don't move me internally the way that the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha, does. Again, words are lacking, but brilliant luminosity is the best thing I can think of. A kind of glowing, St. Elmo's fire-like warmth that could even dispel the most brutal cold. This is what I feel. And this is why I believe. Imagine climbing to the top of the most beautiful, untouched Himalayan peak. The sky is unbelievably vast, the most brilliant undefiled blue you have or ever will see. The horizon is a jigsaw of snow capped peaks and rising behind you is an even higher mountain covered in snow, and glowing white. From the valley floor, you had seen this peak and were captivated by it. From here, though still far below its summit, it brings you to tears. This is what I feel. And this is why I believe.
By the way, tomorrow, the 17th of November is Lhabab Duchen, the day that Śākyamuni Buddha descended from heaven back to Earth. It is believed that on this day, one's actions, be they positive or negative, are multiplied ten million times. So do good things tomorrow! As for me, I am hiking nine kilometers up to the 3,000 meter peak of Triund to hang up more prayer flags than I ever have before. These are no ordinary prayer flags, I have had them all consecrated by some very nice monks at Gyumed Gompa, which is the unsuspecting top floor of a guest house near the center of town. I cannot become enlightened by hanging up prayer flags, but by doing so certainly I can work towards it.
The Frequency is Courage
- Doug B.
P.S. The summit of the other peak is nirvana.
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