Buddhism And The Modern World And Chaos Magic

[Psyche]

This is an essay I wrote for a college class on Chaos Magic, the modern world, and Buddhism. Feel free to state your thoughts on this matter. =]

"By long and patient discipline, the Eightfold Path intends nothing less than to pick one up where one is and set one down as a different human being, one who has been cured of crippling disabilities. 'Happiness he who seeks may win,' the Buddha said, 'if he practice.'"[1] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn1) A Buddhist practitioner strives to have this outlook on life at all times; through hard work and patience one may obtain ultimate serenity. If one applies all the ideals on the Eightfold Path (right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration) to ones own life contentment will be reached.

Right speech, right mindfulness, and right concentration are three important ideas, especially concerning Buddhist philosophy and todays modern world. Westerners often disregard eastern philosophy claiming it to be irreverent and useless. One may tread through life utterly oblivious to others needs and wishes (which causes one to suffer, and in turn causes others to suffer as well).

Right speech is the act of speaking carefully and attentively. "Instead of starting with a resolve to speak nothing but the truth one that is likely to prove ineffective at the outset because it is too advanced we will do well to start further back, with a resolve to notice how many times during the day we deviate from the truth, and to follow this up by asking why we did so,".[2] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn2) All words used in anger and harm to others including little things such as gossip neednt be spoken.

In todays world all courtesy and compassion for one another is thrown out the window in spiteful interactions. Petty snide comments are used everyday and we dont reflect on what we say most of the time. When we take a small step; being aware of what were going to say before we say it, our whole thinking process changes. No longer will people be trapped in unknowing selfish patterns we will be able to break from this destructive cycle. Right thinking will reflect positively on us and others as well.

"The Buddha saw ignorance, not sin, as the offender. More precisely, insofar as sin is our fault it is prompted by a more fundamental ignorance more specifically, the ignorance of our true nature.

"To gradually overcome this ignorance, the Buddha counsels such continuous self-examination as to make us wilt (almost) at the prospect, but the thought it necessary because he believed that freedom liberation from the unconscious, robot-like existence is achieved by self-awareness."[3] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn3) To escape ignorant nature, it is necessary to be aware of each thought that goes through the mind. We must practice seeing things as they really are; to see our thoughts passively.[4] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn4)

Many people are troubled with unhappy and depressing thoughts and are unable to reflect upon what these thoughts mean and where they come from. "Just as a fletcher makes straight his arrow, the wise man makes straight trembling, unsteady thought which is difficult to guard and difficult to hold back (restrain). /Even as a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on the dry ground (moves about restlessly), this thought quivers all over in order to escape the domination of Mara (the tempter or death). /The control of thought, which is difficult to restrain, fickle, which wanders at will, is good; a tamed mind is the bearer of happiness".[5] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn5)

The old phrase "you are what you think" strongly pertains to the seventh step right mindfulness. Most humans do not bother to think about what theyre thinking and why theyre thinking it. When one closely observes ones own thought process one will notice "like the light from a light bulb, the on/off is so rapid that consciousness seems to be steady, whereas in fact it is not. With these insights, the belief in a separate self-existent self begins to dissolve".[6] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn6)

Right concentration is the final step of the eight fold path. It implies that "like a camera, the mind had bee poorly focused, but the adjustment has now been made. With the 'extirpation of delusion, craving, and hostility,' the three poisons, we see that things were not as we had supposed. Indeed, suppositions of whatsoever sort have vanished, to be replaced by direct perception. The mind reposes in its true condition".[7] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn7)

To apply all the eight steps on the eightfold path in the modern day world is quite difficult, but once achieved, the mind will be at peace. There are many different levels of concentration that present themselves in the regular world, but Buddhism emphasizes high levels of mental concentration. Different techniques of meditation, self-reflection, and thinking will lead to a focused mind.

The western world and Buddhism does not jive together easily. People are accustomed to their normal petty everyday actions and are taken aback when one has a Buddhist attitude. We are so wrapped up in ourselves that we often forget to notice anything going on around us. Vanity and selfish interactions harm ourselves and others when we unknowingly say a rude word to a friend it is likely a similar action will be returned.

"The knowledge that a fool acquires, far from being to his advantage, destroys his bright share of merit and cleaves his head. /Let the fool wish for false reputation, for precedence among the mendicants, for lordship in convents, and worship among other groups. /'Let both the householders and the monks think that this is done by me. Let them follow my pleasure in what should be done and what should not be done.' Such is the wish of the fool and so his desire and pride increase".[8] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn8)

In my own life I dont completely follow any of the Buddhist practices, but I do agree with much of its philosophy and some things in my own life follow this philosophy. I believe that everything is about perspective the way you view the world makes you, you. Of the eight steps the one that my own life follows the most is right view. Ones thought process dictates what actions one will do; thought comes before action. If a person is unthinking his motives will go unrealized and he will be unhappy. One has to be somewhat aware of ones thoughts before one can ever learn to change ones actions.

I agree partially with the Buddhist idea that we are all similar through our suffering but only partially because I feel this idea is missing a few things. I feel that all people are similar because we all have a perspective on something; human perspective differs. I believe that suffering is just perspective as well . . . Buddhism does not admit this idea.

Buddhism bases much of its philosophy on the notion that all people suffer, then goes on to state that the world around us is only based on perspective and our thoughts of the things around us. To believe both ideas is very paradoxical in my opinion.

Aside from the shortcomings of this religion (in that particular manner), I agree with a lot of the Buddhist beliefs. Most religions do not even attempt to explore the notion that perhaps their ideas are just beliefs and not hardcore facts. I like how Buddhism is a religion that changes with the times; not entirely rooted in obscure holy texts of myth. It is very much a religion of the people.

I believe that all future actions are based on previous thoughts and experiences. In order to escape this cyclical cage, it is necessary to think about what one does, has done, will do, and why. That why I think it is so important to realize that everything is about perspective. "It is usually quite easy to see how other people, and indeed entire cultures, are both enabled and disabled by the beliefs they hold. Beliefs tend to lead to activities which tend to reconfirm belief in a circle they call virtuous rather than vicious, even if the results are not amusing".[9] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn9)

The idea that nothing is ever certain scares many people into following specific guidelines, certain religions. Blind religious following is almost always caused by fear. "To question any level of meaning with reason is usually to loose it. Meaning arises from the differentiation of experience into pain and pleasure, good and evil, interesting and uninteresting, beautiful and ugly, worthwhile and not worthwhile. Experiences are only meaningful when we are sensitive to them. We can only perceive difference. Ideas are only meaningful when we can appreciate their separateness and novelty. Spirituality only arises when we begin to consider some things non-spiritual".[10] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftn10)

__________________________________________________ _______

[1] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref1) Huston Smith, The Worlds Religions, p. 104

[2] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref2) Huston Smith, The Worlds Religions, p. 106

[3] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref3) Huston Smith, The Worlds Religions, p. 109

[4] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref4) Huston Smith, The Worlds Religions, p. 110

[5] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref5) Ed. S. Radhakrishnan, The Dhammapada, p. 70

[6] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref6) Huston Smith, The Worlds Religions, p. 111

[7] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref7) Huston Smith, The Worlds Religions, p. 112

[8] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref8) Ed. S. Radhakrishnan, The Dhammapada, p. 82

[9] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref9) Peter J. Carroll, Principia Chaotica

[10] (http://www.occultforums.com/#_ftnref10) Peter J. Carroll, Psychonaut, p. 180

[Son of Mr. Gordo]

This was an enjoyable article Psyche. I'd like to address some points.



Buddhism bases much of its philosophy on the notion that all people suffer, then goes on to state that the world around us is only based on perspective and our thoughts of the things around us. To believe both ideas is very paradoxical in my opinion.


It is not really paradoxical, but what is being addressed is the Ayurvedic medical structure of the 4 noble truths. It is structured as

1. Diagnosis
2. Cure

So, the first noble truth is really translated as "All conditioned (and unenlightened) living beings experience dissatisfaction." The 2nd truth is "Dissatisfaction is caused by attachment (ignorance)." The first two consist of the diagnosis.

The third truth is "There is an end to suffering." The fourth truth is "The eight-fold path is that end to suffering." The third and fourth truths are the Cure.

So it is not really paradoxical, though it seems that way. It is more the cultural influences of the Ayurvedic medical model that was the standard back then. We also need to take into account the depth of the first noble truth which apply to all unenlightened beings. So we can synopsize by saying "All unenlightened beings experience dissatisfaction due to incorrect view (ignorance)" By doing so, there is no paradox.

I like how Buddhism is a religion that changes with the times; not entirely rooted in obscure holy texts of myth.

Hmm, in terms of changing with the times, it depends upon the school. In terms of myth, there is alot more than people think.

SoMG

[m1thr0s]

I find the essential objectives of so many schools to be so similar really that it puzzles me sometimes that there are any separations between them at all. Buddhism was a very powerful force for me at a certain time in my own life but somehow ceased to be a central focus for whatever reasons. I think that in my own case it is very important to me personally to maintain an "outside" perspective as much as possible. But in doing this I sometimes find I have a very difficult time discerning any real differences between ANY of the transcendentalist philosophies of the world...using that term in the broadest possible context...

m1thr0s

[Son of Mr. Gordo]

...I sometimes find I have a very difficult time discerning any real differences between ANY of the transcendentalist philosophies of the world...using that term in the broadest possible context...
I can understand where you're coming from, and I like the way you phrased the part "in the broadest possible context." I know in Buddhism, it is quite a chore, if not impossible to dissect a sutra without taking out the Indian cultural underpinnings. When it is stripped away, the core meditation practice of vipassana becomes another form of alchemy just labeled differently. For me, I take Tibetan Buddhism as my raft till I reach the other shore. At that point, I can burn it. Until then, I need to keep afloat. :)

There is one significant philosophical difference though between Buddhism and Theist based worldviews like Hinduism. Given the formulation of the Vedantic view, Brahman has to exist. It simply would make no sense if it was empty (in the Buddhist sense, dependently originated.)

SoMG

[m1thr0s]

I sometimes forget that Buddhism is actually classed as "atheistic" by the theistic world in general. That always seems a little funny to me considering what a rich pantheon of godforms inhabit the Bardos etc, though I have heard it argued that the Tibetan form of Buddhism is not the same as original Buddhism etc. I just don't know enough about it to have any definite opinions.

Whatever the case, I can definitely relate to your *boat* analogy. I guess that in my case, I just want to make sure that in the end my boat at least aknowledges every other boat as well. That's extremely important from a Hermetic standpoint. We can hardly embrace Allness if we have to make exceptions all over the place...lol...

m1thr0s

[Son of Mr. Gordo]

I sometimes forget that Buddhism is actually classed as "atheistic" by the theistic world in general. That always seems a little funny to me considering what a rich pantheon of godforms inhabit the Bardos etc,
Buddhism is considered non-theistic, though all schools acknowledge there are gods in the god realm. They just don't believe in a single head honcho that created the universe.

though I have heard it argued that the Tibetan form of Buddhism is not the same as original Buddhism etc. I just don't know enough about it to have any definite opinions.
You are right in a general sense. Tibetan Buddhism can be compared to Catholicism in a way. There is an emphasis on symbolism and ritual. There was a time when both schools (Theravada and Mahayana/Vajrayana) lived and meditated in the same temples. Instead of conflict though, the Mahayana monks were just considered a little odd or eccentric :) Eventually, there was a divergence on how certain rules should be followed, and then a split occured.

Academics today like Prof. Sanderson and Davidson have decisively concluded that the tantric texts of the Buddhists were defintely redacted and modified from the Kashmir Savaite tantras. But of course, the change was fit to the Buddhist philosophical view, so it is inherently Buddhist. Some Tibetan Buddhists become outraged or declare some people heretics when they hear this, but it really is indisuputable when the research is looked at. I've even heard a story of a Tibetan monk who read the research on this, and stopped practicing tantra. This, to me is absolutely silly. I'm not sure what's sillier, the fact that the monk believes there is only one path to liberation that should fit people of different capacities, or fundamental Buddhists who refuse to look at objective research done by respectable academics. Personally I believe Buddhist tantric texts are partial redactions, and partially acquired through meditative revelation, but all in all, Buddhist to the bone.

I guess that in my case, I just want to make sure that in the end my boat at least aknowledges every other boat as well. That's extremely important from a Hermetic standpoint. We can hardly embrace Allness if we have to make exceptions all over the place...lol...

Right on. I quote Dzogchen master Chogyal Namkhai Norbu who said:


All the various types of teachings and spiritual paths are related to the different capacities of understanding that different individuals have. There does not exist, from an absolute point of view, any teaching that is more perfect or effective than another. A teachings value lies solely in the inner awakening which an individual can arrive at through it. If a person benefits from a given teaching, for that person that teaching is the supreme path, because it is suited to his or her nature and capacities. There is no sense in trying to judge it as more or less elevated in relation to other paths to realization.


SoMG

[Ci Celli Ddu]

You are right in a general sense. Tibetan Buddhism can be compared to Catholicism in a way. There is an emphasis on symbolism and ritual.

...and suffering instead of guilt. I lived with a lot of Spanish converts to Tibetan Buddhism near the temple of Dag Shang Kagyu (http://www.dagshangkagyu.com/). Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, seems to be the main alternative to Christianity in Spain. A lot of close friends of mine are Buddhists, but I have to say that the majority of the Spanish Buddhists that I've met are essentially Crypto-Catholics, having simply swapped their Saints for Tibetan Gods, their Mass for Chanting sessions, their Guilt for Suffering etc.

Personally I prefer Zen to any other form of Buddhism, mainly for its simplicity and lack of dogma. Zen, like Karate, is something you can practice regardless of belief etc.

[Son of Mr. Gordo]

...and suffering instead of guilt.

A more precise translation for dukkha is dissatisfaction, not suffering.

I lived with a lot of Spanish converts to Tibetan Buddhism near the temple of Dag Shang Kagyu. Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, seems to be the main alternative to Christianity in Spain.

That's great. I'm actually going to heading to Denia and Barcelona this September and October. I won't be going to a Kagyu temple, but some Sakya ones. Right now I'm looking for some cheap hostels in Barcelona. :)

A lot of close friends of mine are Buddhists, but I have to say that the majority of the Spanish Buddhists that I've met are essentially Crypto-Catholics, having simply swapped their Saints for Tibetan Gods, their Mass for Chanting sessions, their Guilt for Suffering etc.


Well, there are no gods in Tibetan Buddhism that are propitiated per se, they are considered fully enlightened Buddhas. If they haven't undergone instruction for annutarayoga tantra practice, then yes, it would like like just mere supplication to Buddhas. Without permission to do generation and completion, then it's just basic kriya class yoga.

Personally I prefer Zen to any other form of Buddhism, mainly for its simplicity and lack of dogma. Zen, like Karate, is something you can practice regardless of belief etc.

Actually, Zen is just as dogmatic as any other tradition of Buddhism or religion for that matter. Dogen in fact expressed this in his writings during the Kamakura period where be stated that the practice of zazen was the only path to enlightenment. His sectarianism was no different than Nichiren, Kukai, or Honen.

SoMG

[frater luciferi]

and hermes had the face of a monkey? he knew his apeness but still had faith within the depths of the inner archon? a spark of zen still though had sent me/ego into the closeness of the moment of the nihilist's spark of darkness vs. the intransitive nature of dao and buddha bled together in meta-meme relevance.

[deviadah]

Let me just jump in here in order to throw out a quote...

In The Antichrist Friedrich Nietzsche perfectly describes Buddhism thus:
"Buddhism promises nothing, but actually fulfills; Christianity promises everything, but fulfills nothing."