Mindflood
I came across this passage by Zen Master Fayan regarding sectarianism in a book I have been re-reading, (Zen Essence - the Science of Freedom) :"Zen is not founded or sustained on the premise that there is a doctrine to be transmitted. It is just a matter of direct guidance to the human mind, perception of its essence, and achievement of awakening, How could there be any sectarian styles to be valued?
There were differences to the modes of teaching set up by later Zen teachers, and there were both tradition and change. The methods employed by a number of famous Zen masters came to be continued as traditions, to the point where their descendants became sectarians and did not get to the original reality. Eventually they made may digressions, contradicting and attacking each other. They do not distinguish the profound from the superficial, and do not know that the Great Way has no sides and the streams of truth have the same flavor."
The word sectarianism is one of the buzzwords ('Sectarian Violence') of the wars going on in the Middle East and this quote certainly pertains , not only to Zen, but all religions. The word 'sectarian' is aptly defined as: "adhering or confined to the dogmatic limits of a sect or denomination; partisan" which occurs in all major (and minor) religions of the world.
Christianity is awash in sectarianism beginning with Catholicism, splintering into innumerable divisions, each one convinced of their interpretation of the Biblical path of Jesus as being the 'One' to be followed for redemption.
Buddhism has its many 'schools of thought' - Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, then these have further off shoots. Islam has it's various branches like Shi'ite, Sunni, Sufi and their off shoots.
Sectarianism is rampant in the world of Religion. So it was like a pinch on the nose when I read that even in Zen there are various 'schools' that have their own idea of how to transmit the Way. It's all collectively stupid. As Zen Master Fayan stated" "They do not distinguish the profound from the superficial, and do not know that the Great Way has no sides and the streams of truth have the same flavor."
In the worlds of religion followers memorize passages, sayings, and quotes using these phrases as attachments to the religion particular to them. In so doing these folks call themselves by these various names, i.e., Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew (Judeist), Muslim... whatever and wherever they attached to.
It is this very attachment that confuses mankind, bringing partisan beliefs... blinders to the rest of the world. We do not draw upon our inner but rely upon the outer world to (hopefully) find the freedom we so desire. The origins of all the world's religions were begun by the teachings and preachings of only a handful of people that found their own inner peace and freedom within, not another's doctrines, but their own Self. This is something that mankind has been so fearful of knowing - 'Know Thyself'... two words that enabled Krishna, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed (and thousands of others throughout life that we never hear about) to awaken within, the One that unites all existence.
It is this Absolute that is 'the same flavor of truth that streams from within'. Our only true attachment should be to this Oneness within all of us, no matter what word we give it. Reuniting with our true Self is the only way to find the freedom our hearts and minds seek.
It has been said that Freedom is necessary for Love to bloom. We won't find freedom through politics or religion for those are developments after achieving freedom... varying ways to live with what we have acknowledged within our own being. These different streams all carry the same message and eventually reach the same ocean. In nature we don't see different streams fighting each other as they meet, but rather a blending of oneness, both rushing together to the same destination. It is only our mind and it's divisions calling each river a different name, but not realizing all the rivers are made of one water.
The religions of the world can be likened to various rivers, each splendid upon observing their path thru different geographical locations. But when we are thirsty, we can sip from any river and it will satisfy our thirst. No need to refuse the essence because we don't like the name given to river. That is foolishness. But yet our humanity has an insistence upon choosing where they get their thirst quenched believing their river is better for them than another.
The essence of each river equally can drown us if we are not cautious and aware of its clarity, speed and depth. In various times, each river may flood and cause great danger to those too close to it. The same for each religion. What we don't realize is that we are not the river but observors on the banks. We are not the religion but followers of its flow. To believe otherwise will drown the unaware. Seek the essence over the river for the river is but the essence in constant movement, never at rest. Beware of the waters that do not move, do not change, for those stagnant waters will bring dis-ease. The Great Way has no attachments, no sectarianism, no time for the past, but only flows accordingly.
Cecil
06 August 2006
Note on pictures: Phar Lepht (ELP) was hit by heavy rains causing extensive damage to not only our city but many smaller towns in the surrounding areas. This was the heaviest floods in over 100 years. The rains have been around in varying degrees for 10 days as of yesterday, 8/05. Unbelievable given the severe drought we've been experiencing for a long, long time.
Following the Floodwaters from McKelligon Canyon 8.03.06
(in our neighborhood)
(in our neighborhood)
From the overflow of the canyon dam... never seen by me!
Same waters running under a road.
The continuation of the waters heading towards a culvert for runoff down the mountain to reek havoc on Hiway 54 before heading to -
Even this dam overflowed bring unneeded waters to the local neighborhood in the low-lying area.
I'm quite convinced because of the floods, this Stream overflowed itself with water references!
