Talkin' with Christians

The Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hahn is an energetic supporter of inter-faith dialogue and has written articles and books about what Christians and Buddhists can learn from each other, it is because of his openness to the sharing of ideas that I have just returned from a discussion group arranged by a local Anglican church. If you had told me a year ago that I would be sitting in a coffee house with a Professor of Evangelism and a Priest, chatting and eating brownies, well, forget about it! But the truth is I actually had a wonderful time, even through my extreme case of jitters. The topic of discussion, culled from questions the church received from the public at large, was meant to be "Why is God such a jerk?". But since there were only four of us (myself, the Professor, the Priest and an extremely well-travelled gentleman of Muslim heritage thinking of converting) talk ranged from the firm belief in Jesus as a saviour of mankind, Judgement Day, parables about belief in the unseen, St Francis of Assisi and just why is that repulsive image of Jesus all bloody and broken representative of faith. Needless to say that last one was mine. While, as is typical of spiritual discussion, there were no firm answers to be had but just having the chance to ask the questions and listen to others share there experience was more than enough. I walked home with a new respect for the followers of Christ.

Having only seen (or only allowed myself to see) the fanaticism of Christianity and having painted all Christians with the same colour of "close minded, prejudice, busy-body, Christ on a Cross red", my ideas seemed firmly set. I didn't like them and couldn't comprehend what the attraction was, other than a sense of superiority and the right to tell others what to do and how to live. Not qualities that I have ever, or will ever find appealing. But these gentlemen had some qualities that I could admire: intelligence, patience, open-mindedness and faith in something bigger than themselves. Granted we didn't talk about gays or abortion, so I won't put my rose coloured glasses on too soon, but they definitely broke the stereotype I had of what it means to be a Christian. And when the professor mentioned how un-religious Jesus was, that he spoke against the organized religions and churches, well that was enough to open my mind to a glimmer of respect and interest in the big JC. I have no problem thinking of Jesus as a spiritual teacher, an example of goodness, enlightenment, service and humility just as the Buddha was, but the idea of him being the only son of God...that's where it all falls apart for me. Approaching him as a Buddha makes it easier for me to take a closer look at the life and teachings of Jesus, though I will always prefer the "Buddy Christ" to the Crucifix.


J.

Right Speech.

I heard someone gossiping this evening and it hurt, deeply. It wasn't about me, or anyone I know, but the anger and judgment that was being expressed hit me like a punch to the gut. In Buddhism there are five precept, like the Christian ten commandments, rules to live by in order to lead an ethical and peaceful life. Refrain from killing, refrain from stealing, refrain from sexual misconduct, refrain from false, harsh and idle speech and refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind. Seems pretty basic but I learned a valuable lesson this evening on the effect words can have on those who hear them.

I am guilty of having a very foul mouth, swearing just comes naturally, and I've always felt that I had every right to swear if I wanted to. If you don't like it, don't talk to me. Many times I've made my family cringe with the expressions I use for pain, frustration, and even excitement. " Fuck" is my favourite word and I use it liberally and often as well as a few other choice nouns that I won't elaborate on here. I have never placed myself in the listener shoes, never considered that my language could be alienating or just down right offensive to anyone within earshot. Tonight I finally heard with "new ears" that words have power. Something I already knew in theory, and of course people's words have hurt me before, but perhaps because it is easier to care about someone else than for myself, tonight I really felt and reacted to what I was hearing.

Over the last ten months I have gone through some amazing and sometimes scary changes. Leaving behind my old ideas and gaining new ones, learning to think outside of my own little life and to place my faith in something bigger than myself. Perhaps the next item on my personal housecleaning should be to watch what I say. To say what I mean, mean what I say and speak in a voice that carries a message of honesty, inclusion and kindness instead of anger and exclusion. That is the reason we swear, exaggerate, and gossip, isn't it? To make ourselves feel superior, to shock, to rebel against social norms and values, to let others know that we are so cool that we don't give a damn what you think. Fine for a teenager, but at my age, a little sad. If I am put on this Earth to be of service, to be compassionate and loving to all sentient beings, and to live mindfully, than on a most basic level it stands to reason that my speech, the tool I have been given in which to relate to the world around me, needs to be in line with those aims.

Of course I'm going to need a thesaurus, because I just don't know another word that can mean so many things and be used in so many ways.

Ah fudge!
J.