Holte's corner

Somebody already Thunk it

One problem with thinking outside the box, is that when one follows well tread paths one has some idea where those paths lead. In both religious and political ideology those tracks often lead in circles, sometimes lead to prepared traps, or to walls. In trying to think outside the box, one can find oneself cutting through weeds and vines for hours, only to stumble back on to one of the main roads. Sooner or later one comes to a "good idea" only to find "somebody already thought of this." Most frustrating -- but a reality of life nevertheless.

That is why the Dharma is described as a wheel. Each partial enlightenment has a way of giving way to further seeking. To get some idea of this it pays to read Nichiren's Dialogue between a Sage and a Fool. Naturally he ends the dialogue with his own voice, but the reality is that any fool traveling along the well worn paths of 13th century Japanese religion could have kept going around in circles forever.

Is there any idea that is truly fresh and enlightening, and that will lead us out of this circle?

Well, that is asking the wrong question. I believe that indeed the Lotus Sutra allows us out of the Circle, in concert with the other Mahayana teachings it offers a way of looking at religion that is fresh, invigorating, and offers the chance to architect better things. Likewise concepts such as Democracy, Equal Rights, Human rights, and various others we see in modern political theory offer us ways to get to a better government. The theory is all there. The circles of marxism, libertarianism, etceteras, just represent people too impatient to follow them.

The real question then comes down to, not the theory, but the practice. And it is there that there are more traps, walls and circles.

For example there are concepts in the Constitution that if followed would make it possible to improve the function of our Government. The first one is the principle of limited Government and separation of powers. The trouble is that everyone interprets these ideas so conveniently that they are either applied so rigidly no one will ever follow them, or they are abandoned in spirit while applied in letter.

Example; the constitution warns about combining legislative function with executive function; yet we create regulatory agencies where the executive is given not only legislative authority but judicial authority as well. That could be remedied simply; just appoint different officers for each role and require the legislative role to be subject to the review of elected deputies; but do we ever see that actually done? Of course not.

In the realm of Buddhism teachers and students aren't separated by glass walls. Those who know "give dharma" those who don't give their time, and if they can't find the time try to help those who do acquire dharma. "Priests" are enabled by the rest of us, but are not superior or enlightened on account of it. All the enlightenment is supposed to be acquired by "faith/meditation, practice, and study." And we all are supposed to be equal on this. But in practice those who think they have it try to lord it over or bamboozle others, and people form different schools of religion and try to crucify their opponents as practicing incorrect. Does anybody really break with these habits of clinging, well not often.

I'm tired at the moment. I'm fighting a bit of flue. I'll be better tomorrow.

Chris