Sarva Dharma Samabhava

This BuddhismNews.it article is an interesting read. It discusses Ghandi's and Ambedkar's views on Nationalist Muslims. The article begins with a statement by Ghandi:

Scriptures cannot transcend reason and truth. They are intended to purify reason and illuminate truth. Every formula of every religion has, in this age of reason, to submit to the test of reason and universal justice if it is to ask for universal assent. Error can claim no exemption even if it can be supported by the scriptures of the world.

Buddhists would find nothing to disagree with here. Buddha himself suggested that we try the teachings on... that we experiment with thoughts and actions, that we evaluate the results of our thoughts and actions to determine their merit. Everything in Buddhism is subject to the test of reason. Each practitioner is encouraged to be a thorough examiner.

Sarva Dharma Samabhava means equal validity of all religions. This was a concept that Ghandi believed strongly. Ambedkhar dissented. In this post 911/post 77 world, Ambedkhar's words feel somewhat prophetic. Seeking answers to his questions Do the Islamic scriptures pass the tests of reason and universal justice and brotherhood? Do these scriptures allow its adherents to live peacefully with persons professing other faiths? his findings were not in tune with Sarva Dharma Samabhava. He believed:

Islam [is] an exclusive, intolerant and monopolistic religion.

Well, arguably it can be... but we can't count out the non-violent, peace-seeking Muslims who promote Islam as a religion of peace. Despite the violent demonstrations we see that contradict this (unfortunately more frequently as of late) I'm holding out for Sarva Dharma Samabhava. I agree with Ghandi... we can work towards a world where muslims and non-muslims can live in peace with respect and understanding. Perhaps, as we work towards that world, we should also listen to and heed Ambedkar's concerns. I found some truth in what both men were saying.

My Daughter the Buddha

This year we will have the first Precepts Ceremony for children at Still Point. I have been attending Sunday services for just over a year now, and completed the ceremony myself last year. Now, my daughter wants to do it. She is eight years old.

I've been really curious about why she wants to take the precepts. I expected her to do it (if she ever did it) when she was much older. It is important to me that I don't cram my religious/spiritual beliefs down her throat... that she understands the significance of the choice... and that she owns it. We talked about it during dinner tonight.

'Why do you want to take the precepts," I ask.

"For lots of reasons. I can't list them all it would take an hour." she says.

"Well, tell me as many as you can while we finish eating dinner," I say.

"Well, mostly because I want to be just like you, Mom."

I smile. I'm stunned. That was probably the last thing I expected to hear her say. I look at myself in my role as mother with a lot of criticism and self-doubt. Most of the time, I think I'm at best an average parent. I always think I should be doing more. When it comes down to it, I want to be just like my daughter.

She's so generous. When we go to Sunday services, she goes to what she calls the kid's room. She packs a bag with crafts or toys and snacks and is very consientious about packing enough for everyone to share. She's nice to everyone. She's lighthearted and has a healthy respect for fun and play. I feel very old and boring and closed standing next to my daughter.

We start to talk about religion.

"Your spiritual practice, your religious beliefs... you really have to believe them for yourself. We should talk about the precepts before you make your final decision. Becoming a Buddhist means that you want to be like Buddha... that you want to follow his example. What does that mean to you?"

"Is it like in the Buddha books... like how he went away and got rid of all his hair?" [she's talking about the manga series by Osamu Tezuka]

"Well, you don't have to be a monk... and you don't have to cut off your hair. But you vow to do certain things... not to do other things. That's what the precepts are... they are vows. When you take them, you say what you stand for... what you are committed to..."

Our plan is to talk about the precepts during dinner every night, and to do as many bows as we can in preparation for the ceremony. I'm looking forward to these talks.

Sticky Subjects

My daughter is the only person in my life (outside of the people at Still Point) that knows that I completed the Precepts Ceremony earlier this year, formally undertook Buddhism as my spiritual path, and received a Buddhist name. I have been very hesitant about sharing that news with other circles in my world.

My history is that of a spiritual eclectic... I have tried just about everything. Some might think that my hesitance is worry... worry that people will look at my path to this and think I am spiritually flaky. I could really care less what other people think about my reasons. I am getting somewhere, no matter how slowly.

I think what really concerns me is being judged by others who follow a different path. The recent comments by Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin speak to that concern. We have freedom, but we are not all tolerant. I think most Christains would be more comfortable if I was going to somebody's (anybody's) church.

At Still Point I have had two converations with people about this. The first was with the father of a very beautiful little girl. He asked where my daughter was (people aren't used to seeing one of us without the other). When I mentioned that she went to church with my parents (Grandparent's Day) he wanted to know how my family responded to my practice. "They don't like it, but they don't say much anymore," I report. "Yet, I know that deep down my mother is concerned for her granddaughter's soul and thinks I am going to hell." He nodded knowingly. This is not something that we talk about as a community, but he seemed to relate to what I was saying.

The other conversation was with a beautiful Black woman whose youngest child, she reports, is 48. She was curious about what led me (so young) to Buddhism. We talked for awhile. I told her the truth. As a teenager, I didn't connect to the church. I enjoyed attending my aunt's church when I lived with her, but more because of the community there (my first unofficial Sangha) than because I vibed with the teachings. Mostly, I had questions that went unanswered. I had many friends and acquaintences in school who were of other spiritual traditions. It bothered me that Christians often teach that they have a monopoly on salvation. My Sunday School teachers didn't appreciate my questions. I was supposed to have faith... just shut up and pray.

After coming through the rebelliousness of youth, and moving into a phase when it was really important to me to make my parents happy (they help me immensely, and I can never repay them) I went back to the church. I went to Sunday School. I started singing in the choir again. I read the bible. After awhile, the same uncomfortable feelings came back. I need something practical. I need solutions... things to do when I am angry, restless, thinking about doing something that is unwise. I acknowledge that many people do find solutions for themselves in prayer, in attending church services, in sermons and prayer groups. I just have never been one of those people. I've stopped trying to make other people happy or comfortable, and stepped out to do what feels right for me.

Prostrations are not easy. Meditation is not easy. Going to church was much eaiser than this... I think the choir would probably take me back (again). But I am not going for easy... I am going for what works for me. Eventually, I hope to share it more with others. I will get over the fear and I will talk about my journey. In the meantime, just let me be a good example. Let people see something shifting in me and wonder what it is. What a conversation opener that would be.