Or as it is more commonly known, emptiness. According to Buddhist teaching, everything one encounters in life is empty of an absolute identity, permanence, or 'self'. This is because everything is inter-related and mutually dependent . Nothing is ever wholly self-sufficient or independent. Is this nihilistic? Quite the opposite. The Buddha taught that nihilism was a delusion whioch makes infinite sense once you realize that everything is related. There is no essential difference between you and me or between me and the guy sleeping in a box under the bridge.In Buddhism, a realization of the emptiness of phenomena enables from the cycle of uncontrolled rebirth. As Robert Thurman noted, “voidness does not mean nothingness, but rather that all things lack intrinsic reality, intrinsic objectivity, intrinsic identity or intrinsic referentiality. Lacking such static essence or substance does not make them not exist - it makes them thoroughly relative."
This relativity of all phenomena contrasts to materialism, the notion that phenomena exist in their own right, in and of themselves. Thus, the philosophy of the Buddha is seen as the Middle Way between nihilism and materialism.
This relativity of all phenomena contrasts to materialism, the notion that phenomena exist in their own right, in and of themselves. Thus, the philosophy of the Buddha is seen as the Middle Way between nihilism and materialism.
1 comment:
good post, compadre. did you get my email re the [Roshi] Robert Kennedy, S.J. podcast at ncr's website? he touches on this, as well as much more. definitely worth checking out. plus, he is in your neck of the woods and seems like a good sort. peace to you and the wee snapper, kevin.
http://ncrcafe.org/node/1057
'I wanted a faith that was deeper,' a Tom Fox interview
Jesuit Fr. Robert E. Kennedy is an American Catholic priest and a Zen master (roshi). "I have never felt that I was a Buddhist. I have always felt that I am Catholic and a Jesuit," Kennedy tells Tom Fox. "But I wanted a faith that was deeper, that was rooted in my experience, that was not a theory that could be blown away with a change in culture." He explains: "Christianity is not a triumphal march to the Kingdom." It is an emptying of self. "This profound teaching of Christian life is very close to Buddhism. Buddhism tries to empty ourselves of a false identity and to come to the world as naked and as crucified as Christ was."
Episode 1: Come at life fresh, moment by moment (27 min.)
"I was talking with a Chinese Zen master once and he said one of the difficulties of dealing with Catholics is that they love their spiritualities ... as if it was a parallel life," Kennedy tells Tom Fox. Buddhists root us in this moment, he said. "Buddhists would say, 'If God isn't present in this moment, where is he? You meet God in doing the deed of this moment in front of you. Never withdraw from it.' "
Episode 2: Helping a person take another step (24 min.)
When Kennedy went to study with a Japanese Zen master, the Buddhist told him: " 'I do not want to make you a Buddhist. I want to empty you in imitation of your Lord Jesus Christ who emptied himself and poured himself out.' This is at the heart of what it means to be Catholic. To follow Christ is to empty ourselves." He continues: "I remember thinking then, 'This Buddhist might make a Christian of me yet.' It was so profoundly Christian and beautiful."
More about the author
Ordained a priest in Japan in 1965, Jesuit Fr. Robert E. Kennedy was installed as a Zen teacher in 1991 and was given the title Roshi in 1997. Kennedy studied Zen with Yamada Roshi in Japan, Maezumi Roshi in Los Angeles and Bernard Glassman Roshi in New York. He teaches in the theology department of Saint Peter's College in Jersey City, N.J. In addition to his work at the college, he is a practicing psychotherapist. He is the author of two books, Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit and Zen Gifts to Christians.
Post a Comment