Per the Western understanding, religion is a steel trap of a belief system, culture, and way of life, built upon hundreds or thousands of years of tradition, academic fervor, the sacrifice of martyrs, and the sanctity of saints. Sure, it provides many good things in life, such as order, stability, and peace, but if you mess with the cat, you get the claws. Mercilessly leveraging critiques against the logic or validity of a religion may be a sensible academic exercise, but drive that road long enough and you are sure to find some very intense debates (Want proof?), many of which seem to be focused on so minute a topic or so vague a passage in scripture that the conversation loses any degree of pragmatism.
Having witnesses and participated in many of these myself, I find myself rethinking a basic presupposition many have about religion: although it is tempting to think of religion as something which provides “all the answers,” in reality, it may be more accurate to say that religion offers answers to questions it deems relevant (pessimistically, maybe religion has perfected the art of the straw man (although I think our analysis need not be this shallow) (I will also note that taking anyone who uses a triple parenthesis seriously is somewhat foolhardy, so maybe it’s best to stop reading here altogether))).
As an example: Christianity is a complete system of thought, insofar as it is willing to comment upon all facets of life. Whether the question be metaphysical, ethical, or religious, Christianity will step up to the plate and give a stab at an answer. The Christian philosophers have proposed answers on everything from war to government, and those answers are generally known and respected by practitioners. Even if the average Christian has not formally read anything about just war theory, they are likely aware of the concept and accept it as their faith's "official" response to the questions surrounding warfare.
While doctrine is churned out and debates rage in the West, the Eastern world seems a tad less frantic, at least from my standpoint. Enter Buddhism, which overtly states that there are certain “unanswerable questions” that are unwise to dwell upon. In fact, not only would it be unwise, it would be detrimental to spend one’s life in contemplation of these questions, as they do not help one to embrace the Eightfold Path. These questions typically refer to the self in some way. Wondering “who am I?,” “what was I before I was born?,” and “what will happen to me when I die?” will only distract from marga.
For sake of argument, let’s be moderate in our understanding of this concept. Maybe instead of not asking the questions at all, we should instead not focus on these questions. A few musing discussions here and there? That’s OK. If we focus on these questions 24/7, though…? Per Buddhism, that’s not very helpful to us, if our goal is to navigate through life successfully. Perhaps our thoughts will manifest themselves in ways beyond our control—and isn’t the goal of Buddhism to remain in control so as to overcome our desires, thereby overcoming dukkha?
The world we live in seems to suggest that you (yes, you!) are the center of the universe. Or, if nothing else, you are the center of your life. At the risk of sounding crotchety and jaded, I will add that I don’t think this has always been the common mentality. Perhaps the consumerism of the modern age (in tandem with incredibly powerful technology) has become a sort of mirror: When we see the world around us, it tells us that the world is something to be obtained and possessed. I am speaking in generalities, but nonetheless, this is a very different message from the religious call: you will discover the meaning of your life while in servitude to others or to God. Certainly Hindu dharma says so. Certainly Christianity’s Golden Rule says so. Certainly Islam’s concept of submitting to the will of Allah says so. Certainly Judaism's Tikkun Olam says so. And most certainly does Buddhism’s concept of Anatta: you do not exist—at least, not in the way you think you do.
So, while the Western world's religious discourse seems to be focused upon plunging the depths of truth, Buddhism's answer to many of life's mysteries is a shrug and smile. After all, maybe the most sacred thing we can do to the lotus is leave it alone. Truth doesn't need a defense, and we don't need to conquer the impossible to overcome suffering.
Of course, that's not to say the West is wrong. Nor is it to say that Buddhism's relative passivity is always the right mindset. But if there is a Middle Way, maybe it's found between two points on opposite sides of the world, not opposite sides of our local ideas. One of the joys I have while teaching students about Buddhism is the invitational aspect of the faith: Embrace the path out of suffering when you want. It will always be here waiting. Likewise, maybe there is an invitation to each of us to put down our books and bask in the unifying mystery of the unknown with our neighbors. Surrender is not a sign of weakness, after all. It is the most logical reaction to truth. In the face of mystery, surrender is worship.
Have a great day, and enjoy your studies.
-AT
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