On 8/6/2012 12:54 PM, mike brown wrote:
Thanks for your posts tho, I'm learning a lot more about the other
side of Christianity compared to what is usually on offer.
I am an unlikely source of such information. My apparent openness toward
various religions is relatively recent and not an endorsement of the
modern multicultural dogma of "It's all good". It is not a stance I
assume, but a lack of foundation that recognizes all perceived walls are
built the same way.
Since Buddhism resonates for you, it is simply seeing that Buddha did
not teach 'Buddhism', and Christ did not teach 'Christianity'. Gautama
realized/was realization of/as 'Buddha Mind', Christ realized/was
realization of/as 'Christ Consciousness'. 'Awakened one', 'Son of God'...
The names and terms really don't matter. This cannot be taught in that
way. Whatever we read and hear, are others attempts to convey in their
own way, and become _accepted_ or _rejected_ by _self_ (The Three
Poisons - how 'ordinary' mind works - see below on 'trinities') until
recognition of/realization as...
ALL teachings, traditions, and practices can only appear superficially,
when looked at and discussed. The face of things only presents a problem
if that is the extent of recognition/penetration/realization (only
appearances/representations/concepts can be shared). This is why
Buddhism stresses the empty/falseness of appearances, the 10,000 things,
etc. Why Zen does not stress texts and discourses - without abandoning them.
All this is just the skin of the onion - to pull another old metaphor.
As for the 'trinity' - is a diamond its sparkle, or hardness, or
clarity? Is a person of mind, body, or spirit? Is Buddhism Buddha,
Dharma, or Sangha? Is 'Buddha Mind' Enlightenment, Equanimity, or
Compassion? Are any of these distinctions anything but concepts? Do any
exist in any way as independent things? (AKA - Empty, no independent
origination, no separation, etc.).
Mind triangulates, to form relations/as a form of relating. All such
trinities are simply relationship models, maps. A thinker thinking a
thought. Duality, perceiving duality. Perception of duality, appearing
as trinity. Expressions of 'unity' - which is itself but a dualistic
concept - pointing out there's not even 'one' to be separated out as
such - there's only suchness. Redundant. Obvious. Elusive. Hidden in
plain sight, encased in shrouds of thought.
Buddha's 'Middle Way' is neither construction nor negation. When
appearing in the form of teachings and practices, what arises is not
something to be grasped or rejected but simply reflected upon, such
refection recognized as suchness itself, as realization.
Or so it appears. See what you will.
KG
