Anthony, Ed, Steve,
Reading your comments on this, and the complete article, I was reminded of a
difficult time in my life, and thought I'd offer a few further comments which
are partly cathartic for me, if I may. As I read Stuart Lachs' article, I
was interested in his comments on self-interest, authority-figures, and the
choices and consequences of human behavior.
He discusses the role of self-interest-- certainly a key principle in economics
, psychology, philosophy, and zen-- as they examine or reflect human
behavior. As I understand it, self-interest is being free to do what one
wants, whereas selfishness is the exclusive concern with one's own self.
"Game theory", (strategic human behavior), is often used in organizational
settings , to include zen centers. From his discription, a lot of this is
going on in the situations he describes. Before you nod off, bear with me;)
His perspective seems a bit cynical from the start, though I tend to agree
with many of his opening points such as the idea that many are seeking a
"parent" in the form of an all-knowing Teacher. I have said this before..
There seems to be so many people who are frightened to own their own decisions
and choices. Perhaps they are hedging possible consequences. As if one's
happiness, safety or opportunity resides in someone else.
The "idealized" Teacher..idea has merit, though I have often thought of TNH as
one who embodies the stereotype of the ideal zen teacher. Soft-spoken and
mindful and a bit quirky and oddly funny and gentle-kind-of-thing. Yet he
defended Baker, who clearly seemed corrupt.
Is that because TNH is too blindly trusting by always assuming the best in
others? Perhaps. But its kinda nice to know that such kind naivté can exist,
even though I don't accept it as wise.
But lets examine the All-Knowing Teacher-as-the-Authority. In the article,
some Teachers manipulate situations to maintain this role. But remember that
there is no Teacher without students. So, I would argue that students bear an
equal responsibility in this, especially when things go wrong, as they
did here. Their neediness and own narcississtic needs seem to embue the Teacher
with such powers--and with few questions asked. Common sense and healthy
skepticism can avoid many of these problems.
I thought Mayka made a great observation. Para-phrasing... Look within first
to realize your own experience and awareness. Relying solely on another is not,
by definition, a direct experience. But if reading or other means can open a
door to one's own deeper experience, that can be helpful. So I would call
those an adjunct.
The flip side is that its hard for me to reconcile the changing faces of the
zen students here. On the one hand, we are all one. Show compassion to all.
But the minute they feel betrayed, which I argue they help create via their own
expectations, they now feel victimized. How about allowing the teacher to be
human? Hence--flawed like the rest of us. It is the double standards that set
people up for disappointment and their own suffering.
I have said before that the $$ in spiritual venues can be a a powerful
incentive -- and do corrupt the process. But if you write the check, be
responsible for your own experience, or accept the consequences.I disagree a
bit with his condemnation of 'legitimizing" zen literature and rituals. Goes
back to common sense. They can be useful tools, but if someone believes they
are the holy-grail, they must own the outcome of that naivté.
Personally, I'd love it if Kenneth Arrow put all this on an indifference
curve. (Everyone can ignore that). I said this was part catharsis for me...
In grad school, one of the articles that really influenced me back then was:
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[PDF]
Altruism, Egoism, and Genetic Fitness: Economics and Sociobiology ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
by GS Becker - 1976 - Cited by 571 - Related articles
Altruism, Egoism, and Genetic Fitness: Economics and Sociobiology. Gary S.
Becker. Journal of Economic Literature, Vol. 14, No. 3 (Sep., 1976), 817-826.
...
www.towson.edu/~jpomy/behavioralecon/beckeraltruism76.pdf - Similar
Thanks,
Kristy
p.s. Anthony, I still maintain that the marital discord results from poor
communication from the beginning--but I am not defending his behavior. I'm
simply suggesting that all parties bear some responsibility..
Steve,
Very interesting reading, though I did not go to all details.
I see that Richard Baker and Shimano are two sexual heros. Kapleau and Shunryu
Suzuki seem to be spared of that title. If I am wrong, please correct it.
Of course, sex misconduct is one conspicuous quality. In this case, zen pales
against Tantric/Tibetan Buddhism, as the latter has a famous sex ritual, which
converts the impure into the pure by way of 'celibate sex'. What a wonderful
world. I can't wait to see zen followers converting to Tantrism in large
numbers, setting Chogyam Trungpa and Sogyal Rimpoche as examplary models.
Anthony
Anthony,
Richard Baker and others might respond that that was an excellent opportunity
for his best friend to let go of his clinging, and learn how to better keep his
partner happy.
--ED
--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Anthony Wu <wuasg@...> wrote:
>
> Kristy,
>
> I agree a marital contract can be different types. It is fine if you have sex
> with more than one person, as long as you don't go beyond the 'terms and
> conditions'. As regards the teacher/disciple sexual relationships, our story
> on Richard Baker is a different one. He caused the anger of his best friend,
> because of his affair with the wife. That is where the 'misconduct' had
> harmful consequences.
>
> Anthony
