As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)
This, in my opinion, and not to put too fine a point on it, is crap.
And so is:
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. (1 Timothy 2:11-12)
I've had my share of dharma combat with Christians over using the Bible to support rather un-Christian positions, such as the death penalty ... for homosexuals.
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. (Leviticus 20:13)
In fact, a pastor once warned one of his flock, a friend of mine, to stay away from me lest I corrupt him with my arguments. Apparently, one must guard the faithful against people who criticize a god who says (or inspires the saying of) things like:
Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock. (Psalm 137:9)
I confess that I did fire a parting quote at the pastor:
So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. (Ecclesiastes 7:25)
Although I've heard the rationalizations for not expunging offensive passages from the Bible, I've lost interest in trying to remember what they are. Without doubt, there are glorious passages overflowing with beauty, wisdom and kindness, but because they are intertwined with the other stuff, I can never think of it as more than just a book.
I suppose my use of the C word earlier qualifies as blasphemy, being an expression of irreverence towards religious things. Sure, we can twist words until they morph into reverence for all things, but I'm not going there. A spade is a spade.
Which brings me around to Buddhism. There are times when I wonder if I'm a "real" Buddhist at all, because, as I've posted before, I'm not really interested in reincarnation, the afterlife, Karma, or who's who in Buddhist cosmology. While this might be considered a tad heretical in some circles, it doesn't feel blasphemous because there is no disrespect.
Which brings me around to Buddhism. There are times when I wonder if I'm a "real" Buddhist at all, because, as I've posted before, I'm not really interested in reincarnation, the afterlife, Karma, or who's who in Buddhist cosmology. While this might be considered a tad heretical in some circles, it doesn't feel blasphemous because there is no disrespect.
Still, I was relieved to discover recently that Buddha said:
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. (Kamala Sutra)
Good questions posed by two blogging friends brought some things into focus for me. Lynette Genju Monteiro over at 108 Zen Books asked, "Which do you follow: the teacher or the teachings?", and Thane Lawrie way over in Scotland at My Journey asked, "Does Buddhism Need a Voice?"
Lynette's question stumped me for a while until it dawned on me that I don't really follow teachers or teachings, I just listen to them and then follow my gut. Their words are sometimes a patient finger pointing at the moon, and sometimes a good jab in the ribs. To use one last biblical quote,
Thane's question explored the Buddhist identity and got me pondering. I call myself a Zen Buddhist because that label seems to be the best description of what I seem to be. And then, because I'm a Zen Buddhist, I do Zen things, like put on a black robe and do zazen on a zafu on a zabuton in a zendo, chant the four Bodhisattva Vows and pay attention to the abbot.
And when I remember to be mindful of it, bow deeply in gratitude.
Lynette's question stumped me for a while until it dawned on me that I don't really follow teachers or teachings, I just listen to them and then follow my gut. Their words are sometimes a patient finger pointing at the moon, and sometimes a good jab in the ribs. To use one last biblical quote,
The words of the wise are like goads (Ecclesiastes 12:11)
And when I remember to be mindful of it, bow deeply in gratitude.
I agree with you David, a book and a spade and I hope you keep on ‘corrupting’. The essence of the opening quote I believe is still felt in souls of so many women (me included). I can’t get over how ‘meanness’s’ of all sorts stick generation after generation. Labels, yes, no matter how lovely there’s always something that doesn’t feel right when you wear one. How do we all get on Thanks for stirring the pot. Wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Susan - I appreciate the encouragement to keep corrupting and stirring. I agree about how mean attitudes that you would think wouldn't afflict the younger generation still seem to. Thankfully, other attitudes do seem to be changing - for example, a colleague recently noted that there has been a big decrease in interest in guns and hunting in the latest crop of young adults.
DeleteDavid, this reply seems so intuitive as I've been riding with a young hunter 3 mornings a week, the fuel of my comments passion. So very good news. Thanks.
DeleteHi Susan, there may be better statistics available, but I found this (MSNBC 2008): Decline in Hunting, Fishing Hurts State Coffers
DeleteThat is great news! Thank you so much, David. Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteI couldn't agree more. It's important to remember that - because people are people - Buddhism has fallen prey to much of the idiocy and pettiness that all religions suffer from. It is not exempt. My litmus test for questionable aspects of Buddhism is: "Is this conducive to the cessation of suffering, is it helpful to my practice?" If the answer is no, off to the side it is put.
ReplyDeleteThat's true - being humans, we all have the idiocy and pettiness genes.
Deleteexcellent quote by the Buddha, and very much in-line with the various teachings I have read and heard. It is why I gravitate so much to Buddhism. I am not a practicing Buddhist in the sense that I don't sit, meditate or go to a Zendo (anymore) or have a teacher, other than the various teachers I read. I get a lot of guidance and good sense from writings, and I think about them and put the ones that make sense into practice. Such a decent, practical set of values that I can use in everyday life. Very affirming and non-judgmental as well, unlike so much of Christian teachings (in my experience).
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think being a practicing Buddhist is more to do with putting Buddhism - whatever our take on it is - into practice and less about doing particular Buddhist things. It's nice to be able to be the judge of what actions are right for us rather than being told, even if we make mistakes.
DeletePS - LOVE the photograph! That pup is adorable.
ReplyDeleteThat would be Conan the totally sweet chihuahua in Okinawa. His story was doing the rounds about four years ago, e.g. Animal of Pray
DeleteHi David! As a *former* Christian I remember well these "arguments" over a "woman's place" in the church and home; getting caught up in fundamentalist mind-set and interpretation. Fortunately not all Christians believe these antiquated views that are from a different culture and time. I left the religion of my childhood many years ago to pursue a more Universal Truth. I never found the need again to re-align myself with, or define myself by, another "religious structure"; not needing the label as a personal identity. (Which is not to say that is bad - just my own experience). However, Buddhist Wisdom (and I think there is a distinction here somewhere between that and Buddhism - the religion) and *some* Advaita (Non-duality) teachings do speak to this heart - that is ones that are not caught up in clever word games.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, it's really about what intuitively speaks to us, being committed to the Truth - not just a belief system. Following the "gut" - intuitive Heart - being open to the Universal Dharma however that speaks to us - which is always open and inclusive. Thanks for the thoughtful post! Christine
Thanks Christine! As we used to say as hippies, right on! One religion/phenomenon that interests me is Unitarian Universalism, as propounded by Zen bloggers like James Ford Roshi (Monkey Mind), Meredith Garmon (Lake Chalice) and Andy Lambert (Zen Chalice). Although not a member, I'm a sympathizer, as it appears to be a strong force for 'good' with few side effects.
DeleteWhat really bothers me is the sexism that still exists in Buddhism. I thought it was progressive when the Dalai Lama said nothing prevented a woman from being his successor. I even thought that maybe he would name a woman. But then he said that the woman must be "very attractive". Why doesn't his male successor have to be equally attractive? Buddhism still has a way to go toward equality.
ReplyDeleteHi Lola, thanks for pointing that out. Here is the quote as it appeared in Tricycle (August, 2010):
Delete" 'The purpose of the incarnation is to serve people about dharma.... If the circumstances are such, female form is more useful, then why not?'
Unfortunately he then lets himself and all of man and woman-kind down with, [Amanda Brown's comment]
'And I also mentioned in case Dalai Lama’s incarnation one female comes then must be very attractive female. So the very reason, you see more influence to others, an ugly female then may not much effective.' ”
This post is a perfect follow up on The Karma of the Animals - Especially the quote you selected that advises us to not look to books or traditions for justifications... But to our own good and true selves. Surely inside each of us, no matter what set of beliefs we have... We can all understand The Golden Rule.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us have much more sense than what we let on. If only more were courageous enough to follow their gut.
Again, your words are wise... Thank you.
Thank you, Bea. I agree. Following our gut can be tough - so many distractions (self-made and otherwise) get in the way of even hearing the 'voice' of our gut feelings, let alone paying attention to them and following them.
DeleteHi David. I am honoured to be mentioned in your blog. Another interesting post. I agree with your comments about unfortunate lines in the bible that seem uncompassionate at best. However there are some great Christians out there who deeply practice their religion and do a lot if good. I read the biography of Tom Merton, a Christian monk, and he is clearly was an inspirational figure. Not that i think you would disagree with any of these statements. Some of your readers, like Lola, correctly point out Buddhism's short falls. I remember reading with sadness a senior Thai monk speaking about homosexusls in a way similar to the quotes from the bible you refer to. The sutras, scriptures, the practices laid down in the various traditions our teachers are great tools to help us. But like you i see them as fingers pointing the way. It is important like the Buddha said to prove these things for ourself and a good question to ask along the way is will these action cease suffering and promote peace.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work loon!
Och, Thane, it's richt guid tae read yer blog, laddie! I suppose navigating our way through scriptures and teachers and traditions is pretty much like navigating our way through the rest of life - keeping our eyes open and hopefully making the right moves at the right time.
DeleteSee this: "A Look at the Kalama Suttta" by Bhikkhu Bodhi
ReplyDeletehttp://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/bps-essay_09.html
Also, that's a partial quote from the Sutra, which kind of takes the message out of context. The Kalama Sutra is probably the most misquoted of all Buddhists texts.
Dear Anonymous, thank you very much for the article giving Bhikku Bodhi's elaboration of the context in which the sutta was spoken.
DeleteThe passage as I found and quoted it accords with my own viewpoint, which I still maintain. If the passage in its entirety and taken in the context in which it was spoken means that it does not apply to me, then this only serves to reinforce my thinking that perhaps I am not a "real" Buddhist at all, as I am unable to accept teachings just because someone venerable said them to someone else.