we all know of 'good'. it opposes 'evil' and always wins in fairy tales. sometimes it does not in the world we call 'real'. all of us seek to be 'good'. like: 'i meditated for 5 hours today, i'm good'; 'i comprehended that concept, damn i'm good'; 'i put that bastard into place, i did well'; 'i've beaten crap out of him/her, i'm good'. we all got that concept of 'good', though some might view some of our actions as evil. what is the origin of that concept? where does it come from?
i wondered about this matter for some time and it appears to come down to abraham & saint paul. quite likely these are two people who influenced this civilisation the most. communities not touched by ideas started by them are very few.
so, what's about the ideas? they dictate certain rules. these rules indeed are very useful in organising people, that's why the ideas are so successful, yet these same ideas are one of the major limitations on the path.
what if i'm an atheist? name matters little. i was born and lived in the soviet union, an atheist state. it was atheist in name and quite aramic in views and policy. same goes for 'secular' laws in all the 'educated west'.
so, what's so bad about them? nothing. yet they divide this world unto us and them, good and evil. this division is so subtle and taught so deeply that few even think that it might be the case. 'i'm just doing a good thing'.
there is no distinction between most decorated saint, most bloody villain and any of us. yet, we all seem to rather associate with saints than villains. :) duality is our thought. this is what we heard first and during all our life.
so, what's the point today? denial. to be free we have to deny every single one of our thoughts. yet, to do this we have to comprehend the most fundamental trends that drive our thoughts. otherwise these trends drive our thoughts the familiar paths.
good luck.
mickael
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4 comments:
Mickael, your wonderful post reminds me of this old story from the Korean Zen tradition. It's a little long, but you might like it (I'm copying/pasting it into your comment space).
Best wishes, Barry
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Zen Master Man Gong was Seung Sahn Soen Sa's Dharma grandfather. As a thirteen year old child, he was studying sutras in the Dong-Hak Temple in Korea. The day before vacation was to start, everyone was gathered to listen to lectures.
The teacher of scriptures said, "All of you must study hard, learn Buddhism, and so become as big trees, with which great temples are built, and as large bowls, able to hold many things. The verse says:
Water becomes square or round according to the the shape of the container in which it is placed. Likewise, people become good or bad according to the company they keep.
"Always keep your minds set on holiness and remain in good company. In this way, you will become great trees and containers of Wisdom. This I most sincerely wish.''
Everyone was inspired by this lecture. At this point, the teacher of scriptures turned to the visiting Zen Master Kyong Ho, and said, "Please speak, Master Kyong Ho; everyone would like to hear your words of wisdom.''
The Master was quite a sight. He always was unshaven and wore robes that were tattered and worn. Although he at first refused, after being asked again and again, he reluctantly consented to speak.
"A11 of you are monks. You are to be great teachers, freed from the ego; you must live only to serve all people. Desiring to become as a big tree or a great container of Wisdom prevents you from being a true teacher. Big trees have a big use; small trees have a small use. Good and bad bowls both have uses. Nothing is to be discarded. Keep both good and bad friends; this is your responsibility. You must not reject any element; this is Buddhism. My only wish is for you to free yourself from conceptions."
Having completed his talk, the Master walked out the door, leaving the audience astonished. The child Man Gong ran after him, and called out, "Please take me with you; I wish to become your student.''
The Master shouted at him to go away, but the child would not. So he asked, "If I take you with me. what will you do?''
"I will learn. You will teach me."
"But you are only a child. How can you understand?''
''People are young and old, but in truth, is there youth or old age?''
''You are a very bad boy. You have killed and eaten even the Buddha. Come along.''
hi Barry,
every human is so unique. all humans are so the same. :)
at one time i was quite surprised to learn that what i thought to be original ideas were all written long ago. :)
good luck.
mickael
What would superman be without the evil doers?
Nothing, just a mediocre journalist.
What would life be without obstacles?
A boring waste of time.
The question is:
Does light define darkness or is darkness that inspire light?
Does the evil creates the saint or is the saint creating the evil?
hi Buddha,
neither. that is i create both.
my life is boring. every moment is the same. thus, i smile :)
good luck.
mickael
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