I believe it is important for people to understand the distinction between the essence of Buddhism and the cultural part of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as understanding distinction between the essence of the Christ Dharma and the cultural ethos and heritage of Christianity.
As a contemplative spiritual teacher, my path is principally influenced by the Dharma of the Christ, the Dharma of the Buddha and the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). I also draw on some of the essences of the New Thought movement, Taoism and some ancient esoteric paths. For the sake of simplicity, I am often referred to as either a Buddhist lama, guru or monk, or by what I prefer: as a Buddhist-Camaldolese contemplative.
You see, the essential part of the Christ Dharma and Buddhist Dharma is the same everywhere – to be less selfish, more compassionate and mindful… not to harm others under any circumstances, and to help others as much as possible. The cultural aspects of these spiritual paths vary from country to country and from tradition to tradition.
This is why, despite my having received empowerments (initiation) in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in the Vajrayana path, I do not believe it would particularly serve Westerners well to attempt to practice these cultural forms of Buddhism, at least not in their complete form. As an anthropologist, I have often made the same argument against what has become Christianity, which misconstrues and misrepresents much of the Christ Dharma, because it fails, so often, to appreciate the cultural context of that particular expression of spiritual teaching.
What we should do, I believe, is to take the essence of these teachings, and adopt them to the existing conditions, culture and postmodern ethos. This is indeed what the texts tell us that Buddha Sakyamuni did, as he brought the Dharma across India and into Nepal. And it is what we do today as so many spiritual teachers are bringing the core essence of these mystery schools, spiritual paths, and great teachings of compassion to a postmodern world.
I am often asked why I don’t speak more about such things as Tibetan tantra, the practice of tonglen, or other aspects of esoteric Buddhism and Catholicism. It seems to me that the world doesn’t lack teachers willing to expound on such mystical and esoteric topics (although I personally believe that such information in the ill-formed and improperly guided hands can be dangerous for them spiritually and psychologically). What I see lacking in the world are those willing to teach compassion, altruism, service and mindfulness… these are not things we need to study for years in a monastery in order to perfect… The Six Great Perfections are spiritual exercises we can develop right now, where we are, regardless of our personal, spiritual, religious or academic backgrounds.
I believe that the compassion, mindfulness and nonviolent approach of Buddhist Dharma, coupled with the focus on social justice, engaged service and forgiveness of the Essence of Christ’s Teaching, and strengthened by the nonviolence, devotion through service and respect of the Sanatana Dharma can impact the world in ways unimaginable, if we will work to move beyond the cultural motifs, superstitions and sectarianism, and get to the heart of what these teachings offer.
During my last audience with my Spiritual Father, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, he said something that was striking, “Great compassion is the root of all forms of worship.”
Perhaps if we stop worrying about whether this person or that is “doing it right”… if we stop to recognise that they are simply striving for the same thing we are – to be free of suffering and to find happiness and peace, fulfilment and satisfaction – then we can truly get to the work that the great spiritual teachers: Buddha, Christ, Mohammad, Ramakrsna, Neem Karoli Baba, Mother Teresa, Francis and Clare of Assisi, the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers, Morehei Uyeshiba, Gandhi, Dr. King, Tenzin Yanchen Ma, Amma, Yogi Bhajan, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Louise Hay have taught all along.
Namasté!
-- dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda
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