Let me give you a wonderful Zen practice. Wake up in the morning...look in the mirror, and laugh at yourself. - Bernie Glassman
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There is no permanent reality except the reality of change. Permanence is an illusion of the senses. - David Carradine
Why do Westerners who embrace Hindu practices resist identifying themselves as Hindus?
That's the question raised by Swami Shankarananda (a British born convert to Hinduism) who writes: "Thousands of non-Indians follow the practices of Hinduism and are intrigued by its philosophy. So, why don't they call themselves Hindu?" It is not an abstract question as Swami Shankarananda himself found it difficult to identify himself as a "Hindu" whenever filling in a form asking one religious identify. He notes this isn't an issue for Westerners who embrace Buddhism. "I have friends and colleagues who are leaders of the Buddhist community here in Melbourne. They say that, in general, the Western Buddhist practitioners under their tutelage have not the slightest problem saying they are Buddhist. What's the difference between them and us? Why is it easier for Westerners to call themselves Buddhists than Hindus? It's not simply because Buddhism is more fashionable at the moment, being apparently more rational (fewer Gods), or currently enjoying the charisma and leadership of the Dalai Lama. Why should a person who practices yoga and meditation, believes in karma and reincarnation, honors Hindu tradition, chants Sanskrit and venerates Hindu deities be reluctant to call himself a Hindu?" Here are some reasons why this hesitation is present in Westerners according to the Swami:
So, think about his insights. If you're chanting in Sanskrit, working with your Chakras, doing yoga, meditation, visiting your local Temple, you're really not a Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal any longer. Zen is a branch of Buddhism that focuses on meditation. - Daniel D'Apolloni
Reality is always speaking to us, if we are only willing to listen, free of grasping to our own opinions, our own views: that is Wisdom. - Tashi Nyima
I've resisted writing or commenting on this "pandemic" wishing to avoid generating more negative energy. However, I read material from Chris Wark, a health researcher and journalist. He says that the "real pandemic is fear". I agree! Here's what he points out:
The heart has to be fed with feelings of contentment, gratefulness, faith, calmness, tolerance, easiness, magnanimity, happiness, gentleness and understanding. - Hsing Yun
The world is what it is; we have to face what is happening around us, our relationships, or just whatever goes on in our own mind. We cannot expect it all to go away. We have to be practical otherwise, we just create further suffering for ourselves. - Dzigar Kongtrul
When dealing with a crisis, behave
in ways that ensure you pass these six tests: 1. The test of reason. 2. The test of compassion. 3. The test of humility. 4. The test of patience. 5. The test of generosity. 6. The test of fairness. - Victor M. Parachin |
Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
March 2020
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