Don't Take My Word for It

Today's post is a repeat from 2010, my first year of blogging - CK

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned." 

 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama 

I love debate and dialogue. It is invigorating to be in an environment where the free exchange of ideas is welcomed. For some people, the need for security overrides the ability for dialogue. In an uncertain world with an unclear future, fundamentalism has an appeal for those who desire certainty and stability. We do not have to look far to see examples of Protestant fundamentalism, Islamic fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism and Catholic fundamentalism. All of those movements represent a loss of nerve and a lack of faith. 

When creativity and security cannot be found within, we scramble and redouble our efforts to build a superficial structure from without. There is the hope that seeing things as black-and-white will give us security. The irony is that those external structures cannot offer the security and stability that most of us desire. Ideology becomes defined by boundaries, vilification, and demonization. Danger is at hand when people blindly follow any ideology without thinking things through for themselves. Those who fail to use their God-given reason are like the fearful servant in Jesus' parable who buried his meager talent in the ground. 

The Dalai Lama is one of my heroes. I am inspired by what he has to say about human dignity, freedom, and compassion. I am encouraged and heartened by his joyfulness. I imagine that dogma and ideology are very important to him, but he has the inner security that allows him to hold dogma lightly. I once heard a story about an encounter that the scientist Carl Sagan had with the Dalai Lama. Mr. Sagan was privileged to meet with His Holiness while traveling in India. The scientist was impressed with the religious leader's knowledge and interest in science. At one point in their conversation, Mr. Sagan asked him, "What would you do if science were to prove without a doubt that there is no basis for reincarnation – that it does not exist?"

Without any hesitation, the Dalai Lama said, "We would abandon it. We would stop teaching it." He went on to talk about scientific contributions to the world. 

Mr. Sagan was quite surprised by the Tibetan leader's answer and that he spoke with such candor. After some discussion, the Dalai Lama then asked Mr. Sagan, "By the way, how would you go about proving that?" Reportedly, Mr. Sagan was uncharacteristically speechless. 

Several years ago on ABC's Nightline, Ted Koppel was interviewing the Dalai Lama. He asked a question on the same subject of reincarnation. "Do you remember any of your previous incarnations?" The spiritual leader chuckled in a self-effacing manner and answered, "At my age, I have trouble remembering what happened yesterday!" 

 As we search for truth, we would do well to look to role models who exhibit joyfulness, compassion, and inner security. They are the ones who can be open to dialogue, who can question the validity of ideas. They are the ones who have the freedom to examine, to reflect, and to abandon anything that contradicts experience and logic.

-

Don't Take My Word for It

[The following essay was first posted on July 7, 2010. I re-post it today as I think of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and and the difficult days that are upon us. As Harry Emerson Fosdick put it, "Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days.]

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned."

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I love debate and dialogue. It is invigorating to be in an environment where the free exchange of ideas is welcomed. For some people, the need for security overrides the ability for dialogue. In an uncertain world with an unclear future, fundamentalism has an appeal for those who desire certainty and stability. We do not have to look far to see examples of Protestant fundamentalism, Islamic fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism and Catholic fundamentalism. All of those movements represent a loss of nerve and a lack of faith.

When creativity and security cannot be found within, we scramble and redouble our efforts to build a superficial structure from without. There is the hope that seeing things as black-and-white will give us security. The irony is that those external structures cannot offer the security and stability that most of us desire. Ideology becomes defined by boundaries, vilification, and demonization. Danger is at hand when people blindly follow any ideology without thinking things through for themselves. Those who fail to use their God-given reason are like the fearful servant in Jesus' parable who buried his meager talent in the ground.

The Dalai Lama is one of my heroes. I am inspired by what he has to say about human dignity, freedom, and compassion. I am encouraged and heartened by his joyfulness. I imagine that dogma and ideology are very important to him, but he has the inner security that allows him to hold dogma lightly. I once heard a story about an encounter that the scientist Carl Sagan had with the Dalai Lama. Mr. Sagan was privileged to meet with His Holiness while traveling in India. The scientist was impressed with the religious leader's knowledge and interest in science. At one point in their conversation, Mr. Sagan asked him, "What would you do if science were to prove without a doubt that there is no basis for reincarnation – that it does not exist?"

Without any hesitation, the Dalai Lama said, "We would abandon it. We would stop teaching it." He went on to talk about scientific contributions to the world.

Mr. Sagan was quite surprised by the Tibetan leader's answer and that he spoke with such candor. After some discussion, the Dalai Lama then asked Mr. Sagan, "By the way, how would you go about proving that?" Reportedly, Mr. Sagan was uncharacteristically speechless.

Several years ago on ABC's Nightline, Ted Koppel was interviewing the Dalai Lama. He asked a question on the same subject of reincarnation. "Do you remember any of your previous incarnations?" The spiritual leader chuckled in a self-effacing manner and answered, "At my age, I have trouble remembering what happened yesterday!"

As we search for truth, we would do well to look to role models who exhibit joyfulness, compassion, and inner security. They are the ones who can be open to dialogue, who can question the validity of ideas. They are the ones who have the freedom to examine, to reflect, and to abandon anything that contradicts experience and logic.

*   *   *

[You might be interested in reading an account of the Dalai Lama's visit to Birmingham, Alabama and his speech on secular ethics here)

-

The Dog and the Dalai Lama

Recently, I came across the documentary, Sunrise/Sunset, by Russian filmmaker, Vitali Manski. It is an interesting look at a day in the life of His Holiness the Dalia Lama. I caught is on Netflix, but it is also available for free viewing at Culture Unplugged.com. I found it to be interesting, as I do anything about the Dalai Lama. Near the end of the film, however, I was intrigued by the "cameo appearance" of a dog who wandered by. I did a screen shot to catch that moment when you can still see the dog at the bottom left as the Dalai Lama is coming down the stairs. I was delighted to see that there was a dog at the Dalai Lama's house. I tried to imagine the interaction between His Holiness and his dog, and came up with the following poem.

The Dog and the Dalai Lama

It was early in the morning

Before light broke across the sky.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Made his way down the stairs.

After morning meditation

He descends

Into the mundane world

Of conflict, struggle,

Searching, gaining, and grasping.

A dog wags his tail

Crossing His Holiness’s path.

Perhaps the monk smiles

At his canine friend.

Perhaps his heart is made glad

When the dog welcomes him

To the day.

“Hello, my friend!” he might say.

“Dog nature welcome Dalai Lama nature,”

I imagine him chuckling.

“We come together to find Buddha nature –

For five minutes we show the world peace,

You and I –

Then have breakfast.” 

                                                              ~ CK

-

Sitting Shiva

“Their grief was that I left familiar territory.  

                          My grief – that there was territory.”

“I really think that we should have more fluid boundaries,” I said to my colleague at work. We had been talking about her alma mater, Sewanee: The University of the South, a beautiful Episcopal school in Tennessee. She shared how she had been raised Episcopalian but converted to Judaism. She was glad to be where she was, but sad that not all of her friends and family understood. I found her journey to be quite interesting and told her of a man I met who had left the Southern Baptists for Judaism. I had to also share how I had grown up Southern Baptist and became Episcopalian for many years before moving to the Catholic Church. And then there was the young man I spoke with during Ramadan one year who grew up Baptist and converted to Islam.

I have spent much of my life being fascinated by the faith practices of others, which perhaps allowed me to be more open to other faiths. When we see Jews gravitating to Buddhism, mainline Protestants joining charismatic fellowships, and evangelicals finding interest in historic liturgical faiths, we can either lament such things or celebrate the fact that we live in such a spiritually vibrant atmosphere. Recently, when the Dalai Lama came to my hometown, he compared the varieties religions and spiritual practices to a supermarket. Just as a supermarket can satisfy more people with its wide variety of foods, so it is with religion. More people can find spiritual fulfillment when there is a greater variety of spiritual practices.  I would celebrate a world of fluid boundaries where people can allow their friends and family members the freedom to explore other paths.

Crossing Boundaries

These thoughts bring me to a poem I wrote last year, “Sitting Shiva.” I was actually working on this one for several years before I knew it would be a poem. The background is that I had recalled a conversation that some of my friends and I had back during college days. We were all caught up in the enthusiasm of our evangelical faith and someone said they heard that if a Jew converted to Christianity, their family would "hold a funeral" because they considered their family member to be dead. We all thought that was a terrible thing. Fast forward many years when I ended up crossing some boundaries myself. I soon realized that many in my evangelical/Southern Baptist "family" seemed not to know how to interact with me when I left the Baptists for more liberal and different paths. Though I was interested in maintaining friendships, it seemed difficult for some of my former colleagues. There seemed to be some kind of death there.

Alice Walker PBS Photo

Fast forward a few more years to one day last year. I was watching a television documentary on PBS about the writer Alice Walker (Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth).  She mentioned that when she married her Jewish husband years ago when interracial marriages were still a new and shocking thing (and still illegal in some states), his mother had such a hard time with it that "she literally sat shiva" because to her,  her son was dead. (“Sitting shiva” is the week-long Jewish custom of mourning following the death of a family member. Shiva in Hebrew literally means “seven.”) Sitting shiva is the custom my college friends and I were referring to, though we did not know the name for it at the time. 

Those words from Alice Walker brought everything back home to me. I stopped right then and wrote the poem while the documentary was still rolling on the TV. That is much more information than I usually give when I share a poem, but that was what was percolating when the poem came to light. Perhaps there has to be some sense of death when we move on in life, but to the one moving, death is what is being left behind, life is what lies ahead.

Sitting Shiva

I had friends who sat shiva

When I found the open road.

Their grief was that I left familiar territory.

My grief – that there was territory.

William Butler Yeats foresaw my own death –

“Those I fight, I do not hate” –

When I lay down my armor.

I stepped into a broad place

And found new life

While mourners sat by the casket

Of days gone by.

Funny thing about shiva –

You’re never quite the same thereafter.

Those who mourned

Are never sure what to say

When you show up with provisions

For the open road.

                                                                ~ CK

__________________________
Illustration above: "Clouds, Straight Road, and Prayer" (acrylic on canvas) 
                               by artist Robert Gregory Phillips

The image of the painting featured is copyrighted and used with the artist's permission

-

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Secular Ethics in Our Time

Photo by Tamika More at AL.com

On Sunday, October 26, His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a public appearance at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama at the final event in the city's Human Rights Week. It was my privilege to be in attendance, and the following is my account of the afternoon.

Preliminary Activities

The event was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. My wife and daughter and I arrived around 1:00 to make sure we could find a parking spot and get settled in out seats. As we entered the Regions Field stadium, preliminary activities were in progress. There were interviews on the big screen above the baseball diamond with civic leaders discussing Birmingham’s history and the city’s legacy in the area of human rights, having been a catalyst for change during the painful struggle of the 1950s and ‘60s. Interspersed with interviews on screen, various choirs came on stage to perform. One group sang John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and a children’s choir sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” 

Photo by Judson Garner/WBRC

Just prior to the arrival of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a group of Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta, Georgia offered two Tibetan chants. A Tibetan interpreter gave a translation for the chants. The first was ‘For the peace and well-being of all sentient beings.” The second chant was “To the source of all joy, happiness, and unconditional love.”

The Mayor of Birmingham, the Honorable William Bell, went on stage to welcome all to the gathering and to introduce the Dalai Lama. There was a nice breeze that afternoon, but the skies were clear and the sun was hot. There were some light-hearted moments as attempts were made to provide shade for His Holiness as he spoke while seated in the large chair. (The Dalai Lama’s chair is an over-sized leather and wooden chair, nearly four feet wide, that was designed to allow His Holiness to sit in his favored cross-legged position). Finally, a large canopy was brought onto the stage to allow both the Dalai Lama and the mayor to sit in the shade.

Birmingham Business Journal Photo

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Speaks

The Dalia Lama had his translator at his left side to help him on occasion to find the right word for his English-speaking audience. The mayor sat at his right side, throughout the talk, with the Tibetan spiritual leader often making asides and references to the Birmingham civic leader. The audience paid close attention, laughing at humorous comments and sometimes applauding at important salient points.

In the course of his talk, the Dalai Lama emphasized “the sameness and oneness of humanity.” There were essentially three points that he wanted to make, and he told the crowd that he always brings these three concepts to fore when he speaks publicly:

• All religions have the same potential, but use a different approach
• A commitment to the promotion of religious tolerance
• The importance of a secular ethic 

1. All religions have the same potential, but use a different approach.

“What all of us want is a happy and peaceful life.” He compared the different religions to a supermarket. “I mean no disrespect,” he said, “our religions offer something like a supermarket variety of food and drink to give satisfaction to more people.” Similarly, a variety of spiritual practices and traditions “satisfies more people, and helps humanity immensely.” He spoke of love, forgiveness, and contentment to be found in religious practices, but added that “on the other side, conflicts in the name of religion.”

2. A commitment to the promotion of religious tolerance

“We all have some spark of our Creator – that gives us courage.” He also made the point that some religious traditions have no concept of God or Creator. “Carry your life with compassion to help others if possible, or at least to not harm.”

“Our own happiness or unhappiness is the result of our own actions.”  “There are some mischievous people in all religions,” the Dali Lama said, “they do not represent all in their tradition and we cannot generalize to all within that faith.”  

“I am fully committed to religious tolerance,” he told the crowd, adding that “We depend upon others for our own survival…we have a responsibility for humanity.” He made the point that as human beings, “we are social animal…love and kindness bring us together.”

The Dalai Lama sprinkled his conversational address with other points such as, “calm mind, better for health,” and that sometimes medication helps. “Inner beauty is more important that outer beauty,” that in a marriage, both must pay attention to inner beauty rather than outer appearance. He also noted that without inner values, religion is only an outward ceremony.

3. The importance of a secular ethic.

“We are all human brothers and sisters, we all have that common experience of family and the need for affection, the wish for a happy life.” 

“Out of 7 billion on the planet, 1 billion are non-believers. Our secular outlook must respect all religions as well as non-believers.”

“Those who believe in no religion have the same right to a happy peaceful life." The Dalai Lama continued to emphasize the oneness of humanity and our responsibility to all, regardless of beliefs or non-beliefs.

Questions and Answers

His Holiness spoke somewhat informally, often being playful and joking. He came across as a grandfatherly figure, gently urging everyone toward peace and happiness. After his talk, Mayor William Bell had some questions for the Dalai Lama. In his response to the mayor’s questions, he was more forceful and hard-hitting, more prophetic, as it were, than he had been in his address.

With the question of how to deal with violence in our society, he said, “That is not easy!”  He then offered the concept of 21st century people vs. 20th century people, saying that real hope lies in the generation of the 21st century. His Holiness asked for a show of hands of all who were under 30 years of age. “You are the 21st century generation, and it is your responsibility to bring a peaceful world.”

He went on to talk about 20th century people (his own generation) who had brought terrible violence to the world. “Our century, though bringing many discoveries and advancements, also brought much violence, immense suffering and bloodshed. There was the belief that force is the best method for solving problems. This led to the idea that one had to destroy the enemy. In modern life, that is no longer appropriate. To destroy the other is to destroy yourself.”

The Tibetan spiritual leader stated that the U.S. has a real responsibility to promote democracy and went on to enumerate a number of things that must be considered if we are to reduce violence:

• Gun control must be addressed
• The denuclearization effort must continue
• The United States must take a look at its arms trade. “You are making a profit on the deaths of many innocent lives – not good.”
• De-militarization is a necessary eventual goal
• The century of dialogue must happen (as opposed to the previous century of fighting)

His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated that he would not live to see a peaceful world in his lifetime, but reiterated that it is the 21^st century generation’s responsibility to create a peaceful and compassionate world.

After the Dalai Lama left the stage, most of the people began filing out as well.  On stage, however, the program continued with a performance by some drummers, a song presented by the Birmingham-Southern Choir, led by Lester Seigel, and some music performed by the Alabama Symphony.  A few stayed on to casually listen to the music as the afternoon sun began to cast shadows across the stands. Friends greeted friends as people found their way out of the stadium. Most people delighted in this once-in-a-lifetime event.

*    *    *

Note: This account of the Dalai Lama's address at Regions Field is based upon my own notes jotted down while in attendance. It is therefore not complete, but rather the gist of the event as I experienced it. I tried to make the quotes as accurate as my hearing and penmanship could make them, so they may not be exact in all cases, but it is my best attempt to convey what took place. For a full account, the event may be viewed online here.  

The official website of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has an account of the entire weekend, including the Dalai Lama's meeting with the local Tibetan community ("Audience for Tibetans, Interfaith Discussion and Secular Ethics Public Talk"). To read that account, go here.

For more quotes from the Dalai Lama's visit, see Greg Garrison's article in The Birmingham News, "What Alabama learned about the Dalai Lama: 15 quotes and thoughts to take away"

Also, see yesterday's post, "The General, The Mayor, and The Dalai Lama"

Over 10,000 attended "Secular Ethics for Our Time"
Photo by Sonam Zoksang from the official website of the Dalai Lama

-

The General, The Mayor, and The Dalai Lama

Birmingham Celebrates Human Rights Week

Last weekend, the city of Birmingham was privileged to host His Holiness the Dalai Lama for its celebration of  Human Rights Week.  A few months ago, when my wife and I first heard that the Dalai Lama would be coming to town, we were elated by the news. So much of the news about politics, whether local or national, is filled with negativity and discord, but sometimes things can go very right when leaders come together to make them happen.

Gen. Charles Krulak 

(photo by Tom Coiner)

Some of the credit for the good news in town must go to General Charles Krulak, president of Birmingham-Southern College. In 2011, the retired U.S. Marine Corps general became president of one of the top academic institutions in the state that had recently been rocked by financial mismanagement. The school was located in a city that had been dubbed The Magic City back in it’s heyday, but in recent decades had found itself in the doldrums as a result of white flight and a fading steel industry. The city of Birmingham has made many attempts to get its footing and has seen many ideas fail, such as a professional football team, a horse-racing track, a water theme-park, and recurrent talk of a domed stadium – all attempts at making a good name for the city, but none ever getting off the ground.

As it turned out, the General came to town with hope for the college and a vision for the city. He looked around the town, saw its assets and  offered  a challenge to the people to invest in their city, embrace its human rights history, and make the city a place to celebrate. In a 2012 op ed piece “Birmingham should embrace its human rights history” which appeared in The Birmingham News, Krulak wrote:  

No matter your political persuasion, the simple fact is that without Birmingham, there would not have been an African-American president or an African-American national security adviser. Without Birmingham, there are many other men and women of different races, different religions and different cultures who would not have the opportunities they have today. To fail to embrace our rightful role in the history of human rights is to do ourselves a grave disservice.

General Krulak enumerated the tangible as well as the intangible assets that the city has to offer and expressed the hope that we might “come together as a Birmingham that embraces its past and uses that past as a springboard to a bright future.” He mentioned “The Freedom Trail” that he had seen in Philadelphia and proposed that Birmingham could do something similar to present itself as the birthplace of human rights.

(Photo: Courtesy of Greater Birmingham 

Convention & Visitors Bureau)

True to the General’s challenge, the city of Birmingham developed the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail in 2013 as part of its celebration of the 50^th anniversary the civil rights struggle in Birmingham. Also following through with Gen. Krulak's advice, we have just witnessed the celebration of Human Rights Week in our city. It is little wonder that The Vulcans recently honored General Krulak with an award as “Birmingham’s most influential newcomer.”

Meanwhile, Mayor William Bell was at work to highlight Human Rights Week by inviting His Holiness the Dalai Lama to come to Birmingham. In preparation for the event, the Mayor met with the Dalai Lama at a conference in Kyoto, Japan. A news article quoted the mayor who drove home the theme of Human Rights: 

"It was a great honor to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and discuss our shared legacy of Human Rights," Bell said in a statement released today. "Birmingham continues to establish herself as the cradle of Human Rights for the United States. The peaceful protest model first established here has been used around the world to enact real and significant change."

Office of Tibet Photo

His Holiness mentioned their meeting in Japan when he spoke to the public at Regions Field. “We met in Japan when you asked me to please come to your city.” Earlier, the Dalai Lama, had joked about their titles. Though a man with a serious message, he is also adept at using humor to make a point. He made light of his own title, saying people tend to think, “Oh, he is the Dalai Lama, somebody holy and special, when I am just human being like you. If I think too much that I am Dalai Lama, I create for myself a prison.” He then referred to Mayor Bell as “The Lord Mayor,” and said that if any of us think too much about titles, we create our own prison.

My hat is off to the General and to the Mayor for their vision for the city, and to the Dalai Lama for his vision for the world. It was indeed a remarkable thing for the mayor Bell to bring His Holiness the Dalai Lama to town to bring a message of peace. Such a weekend, attended by thousands and viewed live on the internet by many more thousands, can help us see that it truly is not dark yet. 

There were four main events during the Dalai Lama’s visit. He went to Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, the site of the 1963 bombing, on Friday night. On Saturday Morning, he met academics at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) where neurological research was discussed in a scientific symposium, “Neuroplasty and Healing.” Then on Sunday morning, His Holiness met with other religious leaders at The Alabama Theater for discussion and dialogue. The event was billed as “Beyond Belief - an Interfaith Discussion.”  The final event “Secular Ethics in Our Time” was held at Birmingham’s Regions Field on Sunday afternoon. My family and I were able to attend event at Regions Field and it was truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Tomorrow I will talk about what the Dalai Lama said.

Photo by Joe Songer at AL.com

Three of the events have been archived on video and are available for viewing:

•  Scientific symposium at UAB “Neuroplasty and Healing” at  http://www.uab.edu/dalailama/
• “Beyond Belief - an Interfaith Discussion” at  http://new.livestream.com/dalailamabirmingham/10-26-14/videos/66288549
• “Secular Ethics in our Time” at http://new.livestream.com/dalailamabirmingham/10-26-14/videos/66183719

-

Monday Music: Tibetan Chant (Om Mani Padme Hum)

Tibetan script for "Om Mani Padme Hum"

In honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Birmingham this month, enjoy some Tibetan Buddhist chanting. The Dalai Lama will be in Birmingham this week as part of Human Rights week and will be at a public gathering at Region's Field on October 26.

"Om mani padme hum" is one of the most revered mantras in Tibetan Buddhism. It is often carved into rocks and written on paper and placed into prayer wheels. It's aim is to bring the liberation of enlightenment to all living beings. To read what The Dalai Lama has said about this mantra, scroll down below the video. You can read more about Om mani padme hum at http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/meaning-of-om-mani-padme-hung.htm

                 On the meaning of: OM MANI PADME HUM

    "The jewel is in the lotus" or "praise to the jewel in the lotus"

  by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso The Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet

   It is very good to recite the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM, but while

you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the

meaning of the six syllables is great and vast. The first, OM, is

composed of three pure letters, A, U, and M. These symbolize the

practitioner's impure body, speech, and mind; they also symbolize the

pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha.

   Can impure body, speech and mind be transformed into pure body,

speech and mind, or are they entirely separate? All Buddhas are cases

of being who were like ourselves and then in dependence on the path

became enlightened; Buddhism does not assert that there is anyone who

from the beginning is free from faults and possesses all good

qualities. The development of pure body, speech, and mind comes from

gradually leaving the impure states and their being transformed into

the pure.

   How is this done? The path is indicated by the next four syllables.

MANI, meaning jewel, symbolizes the factor of method- the altruistic

intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love.  Just as a

jewel is capable of removing poverty, so the altruistic mind of

enlightenment is capable of removing the poverty, or difficulties, of

cyclic existence and of solitary peace. Similarly, just as a jewel

fulfills the wishes of sentient beings, so the altruistic intention to

become enlightened fulfills the wishes of sentient beings.

   The two syllables, PADME, meaning lotus, symbolize wisdom. Just as

a lotus grows forth from mud but is not sullied by the faults of mud,

so wisdom is capable of putting you in a situation of non-

contradiction where as there would be contradiction if you did not

have wisdom. There is wisdom realizing impermanence, wisdom realizing

that persons are empty of self-sufficient or substantial existence,

wisdom that realizes the emptiness of duality (that is to say, of

difference of entity between subject and object), and wisdom that

realizes the emptiness of inherent existence. Though there are may

different types of wisdom, the main of all these is the wisdom

realizing emptiness.

   Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of method and

wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable, HUM, which indicates

indivisibility. According to the sutra system, this indivisibility of

method and wisdom refers to one consciousness in which there is a full

form of both wisdom affected by method and method affected by wisdom.

In the mantra, or tantra vehicle, it refers to one conciousness in

which there is the full form of both wisdom and method as one

undifferentiable entity. In terms of the seed syllables of the five

conqueror Buddhas, HUM is the is the seed syllable of Akshobhya- the

immovable, the unfluctuating, that which cannot be disturbed by

anything.

   Thus the six syllables, OM MANI PADME HUM, mean that in dependence

on the practice which is in indivisible union of method and wisdom,

you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure

body, speech, and mind of a Buddha. It is said that you should not

seek for Buddhahood outside of yourself; the substances for the

achievement of Buddhahood are within. As Maitreya says in his SUBLIME

CONTINUUM OF GREAT VEHICLE (UTTARA TANTRA) all beings naturally have

the Buddha nature in their own continuum. We have within us the seed

of purity, the essence of a One Gone Thus (TATHAGATAGARBHA), that is

to be transformed and full developed into Buddhahood.

(From a lecture given by His Holiness The Dalai Lama of Tibet at the

Kalmuck Mongolian Buddhist Center, New Jersey.)

Transcribed by Ngawang Tashi (Tsawa), Drepung Loseling, MUNGOD, INDIA

 (retrieved on 9/15/2014 at http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/tib/omph.htm)

Note: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be in Birmingham, Alabama at Regions Field on October 26, 2014 as part of Human Rights Week.

Year-End Review

It was one year ago, on December 31, 2009, that I launched this blog. My wife had been encouraging me to do it. “You could put some of your writings out there, and you could talk about some of the things you comment on every day when we watch the news,” she said. So I decided to give it a try. Not Dark Yet seemed the perfect title, inspired by the song by Bob Dylan. I began my blog as a place to share essays, poetry, commentary about current events and other things that mattered to me. I stated in that first blog entry, “My interests include poetry, religion, politics, nature, conservation, and striving toward the common good. This blog will cover observations of life and shared events.” 136 posts later, I am now looking over a year's worth of blogging.

The entries that I most enjoyed writing include my recollections of my father (September), and my “Explorations of Mystery and Wonder” (May). I weighed in on the healthcare debate early in the year. The darkest observation points for me involved certain Supreme Court decisions. I included some poetry, thoughts on spirituality, childhood experiences, and a tribute to my beloved Mr. Higgins (February). I’ve also tried to let Bob Dylan make some “cameo” appearances from time to time (he appears 11 times in the blog labels – “poetry’ is the only label with more occurrences).

Back in June, Blogger began making statistics available so I could see how many people were viewing the blog. Since they started keeping track in June, there have been some 4,600 pageviews from at least 24 countries. I’m even able to track the most popular postings. Here are the Top ten entries according to the number of pageviews:

1. Southern Nights and Stereotypes – A look at Rick Bragg’s All Over but the Shoutin’.
This one is far out ahead of the others, with over 650 page views.

2. Wendell Berry and the Sacred Task of Writing – One that I sat down and wrote on the spur of the moment after being inspired by a radio discussion of one of Mr. Berry’s books.

3. Tibetan Sand Mandala: Precision and Prayer – My “photo journalistic” attempt to document the monks’ visit to Birmingham.

4. Icons: What’s in a Name? – This was the quirkiest piece that I posted. I was always bothered that I couldn’t get those 21st century icons lined up symmetrically. Then when I saw how many people were viewing it, I went back to rework it, swapping out a picture that I could make line up properly.

5. An Ordinary Life – I am very glad that this piece about my friend, Meg Parker, made the top 10 list. It looks back on a foundational period in my life.

6. Finding Christmas – an important essay for me, I’m glad some other people liked it.

7. When Faiths Collide – a review of Martin Marty’s book. I thought the book had something important to say about interfaith dialogue.

8. Don’t Take my Word for It – One of my tributes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

9. My Back Pages – A fun video from a celebration of Bob Dylan’s music. Although I didn’t mention it at the time, my birthday was the occasion for posting that one (“I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now”).

10. Songs for Christmas: Christmas Time is Here – It warmed my heart that Charlie Brown made the top 10 list!

And honorable mention goes to:

11. Every Grain of Sand – this one was holding in the top 10 until it was edged out by Charlie Brown’s Christmas. I keep it in the list just because it stands as a great work by Bob Dylan.

Blogger’s tabulation of countries represented by viewers includes The United States, Russia, Canada, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, France, Denmark, The United Kingdom, Croatia, Slovenia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Belgium, India, Saudi Arabia, The Philippines, Italy, Albania, and Israel.

I’ve had fun with the blogging this year. Many thanks to all who have followed this blog, and a special thanks to those who have shared their comments along the way. I look forward to another year. Who knows what topics will arise in the months ahead?



*

Tibetan Sand Mandala: Precision and Prayer

Mandala from Loseling Monastery brochure

Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta came the University of Alabama at Birmingham this week. They came to present "The Mystical Arts of Tibet" throughout the week. On the first day, following and opening ceremony of chants, music, and mantra recitation, they began construction of a sand mandala in the lobby of the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts. One of the monks explained to those of us gathered that the mandala would be a tool for resolving conflicting emotions. The sand mandala would then be swept away after its completion (which would take several days) to symbolize the impermanence of all things.

At the opening ceremony the monks donned their hats and brought out horns, drums, and bells to accompany their ritual involving chants and prayers. It was the first time I had witnessed first hand the Tibetan chant, which involves a quite unusual vocal phenomenon involving a deep rich multiphonic voice. Each chant master simultaneously intones three different notes (don't ask me how they do that!). The group of nine monks filled the room with sounds and tones that for me seemed to have a centering and cleansing effect.

Before the ceremony began, the different colored sands and instruments used to place the sand were on display. A monk explained to one of the spectators that the sand is made from white marble that is ground to a fine consistency.

The monks began the mandala by setting out lines using something similar to a carpenter's chalk line. Then a large compass was used to mark chalk circles. Smaller compasses were then used to lay out smaller circles.

Lines were meticulously plotted out across the table. The monks had several rulers on hand, just like the ones used by students in algebra and geometry classes. 

While some engaged in the careful and steady preparation for the mandala, other monks were on hand to answer people's questions. I noticed a string of wooden Buddhist prayer beads. I told the monk that I was familiar with rosary beads which I use in meditation and asked him how the Buddhists use their prayer beads. "It is a system of counting," he told me. "We move one bead as we say each prayer or mantra. When we have done many prayers with the beads, then they contain a spiritual power that can protect us when we carry them. For example, if I put these beads around my wrist (the string of beads was the size of a bracelet), then if I become angry with someone and want to hit them, the beads remind me, 'No, I must practice compassion.' "

I had to leave to run some errands. When I returned a couple of hours later, I found that the monks had completed an inner circle at the center.

I went back three days later (Thursday afternoon). They had made great progress, still with some work left before completing the mandala. I asked them the name of the mandala. "Medicine Buddha," one of the monks told me, "also called Healing Buddha."

According to the local newspaper report earlier in the week, the monks never decide which mandala to do until they arrive, get a feel for the place and its energy, and come to a consensus. The mandala which was begun on Monday will be completed on Friday. Following a closing consecration ceremony, the colored sands will be swept up. The sweeping away of the beautiful and intricate mandala symbolizes the impermanence of all things. Half of the sand will be distributed to the audience for personal blessing and healing. The rest of the sand will be carried in a procession to a body of water to disperse healing throughout the community and the world.                                                      

*****

Here is a view of a mandala that some Tibetan monks did in Chicago. 

  

The Mystical Arts of Tibet tour, in addition to the sand mandala, involves presentations of music and dance. The purpose is to share Tibetan culture with others. The Drepung Loseling Institute was formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1991 and is affiliated with Emory University. Its objective, according to their brochure, is to promote trans-cultural understanding and scholarly exchange.

Photo from Loseling Monestery brochure

*****

[For additional reading I would recommend:

1. The Jew and the Lotus, by Roger Kamenetz. This is a fascinating account of a delegation of rabbis who travel to Dharamsala, India for dialogue with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama had invited them for a visit because he wanted to learn from them “the secret of Jewish spiritual survival in exile.” The book is a wonderful discovery of Tibetan Buddhism and Judaism.

2. The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton had studied Buddhism and felt that it was possible for a Christian monk to learn form the Buddhist discipline and experience. This is the journal he kept while on pilgrimage to Asia. It also includes other writings of his, including the address he gave at a conference on monasticism in Bangkok shortly before his untimely accidental death. Here one finds lively insights into Buddhist as well as Hindu thought. I read with great anticipation his journal entries leading up to and chronicling his visit with the Dalai Lama in India.]

*