The purpose of studying Buddhism is not to study Buddhism, but to study ourselves. It is impossible to study ourselves without some teaching. If you want to know what water is you need science, and the scientist needs a laboratory. In the laboratory there are various ways in which to study water. Thus it is possible to know what kind of elements water has, the various forms it takes, and its nature. But it is impossible thereby to know water itself.
It is the same thing with us. We need some teaching, but just by studying the teaching alone, it is impossible to know what "I" myself am. Through the teaching we may understand our human nature. But the teaching is not we ourselves; it is some explanation of ourselves. So if you are attached to the teaching or to the teacher, that is a big mistake. The moment you meet a teacher, you should leave the teacher, and you should be independent. You need a teacher so that you can become independent. If you are not attached to him, the teacher will show you the way to yourself. You have a teacher for yourself, not for the teacher.
The purpose of studying Buddhism is to study ourselves and to forget ourselves. When we forget ourselves, we actually are the true activity of the big existence or reality itself. When we realize this fact, there is no problem whatsoever in this world, and we can enjoy our life without feeling any difficulties. The purpose of our practice is to be aware of this fact.
~
Writing: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind -By Shunryu Suzuki
Art by: Oriental Decor
One to One
Q: What exactly is the Self of which you speak?
A: Can a man be possessed of two identities, two selves? To understand this matter it is first necessary for a man to analyze himself. Because it has long been his habit to think as others think, he has never faced his "I" in the true manner. He has not a correct picture of himself; he has too long identified himself with the body and the brain. Therefore I tell you to pursue this enquiry, "Who am I?"
You ask me to describe this true Self to you. What can be said? It is That out of which the sense of the personal "I" arises and into which it will have to disappear.Q: Disappear? How can one lose the feeling of one's personality?
A: The first and foremost of all thoughts, the primeval thought in the mind of every man is the thought "I". It is only after the birth of this thought that any other thoughts can arise at all. It is only after the first personal pronoun "I" has arisen that the second personal pronoun "you" can make its appearance. If you could mentally follow the "I" thread until it led you back to its source you would discover that just as it is the first thought to appear, so it is the last to disappear. This is a matter which can be experienced.
Q: You mean that it is possible to conduct such a mental investigation into oneself?
A: Certainly. It is possible to go inwards until the last thought "I" gradually vanishes.
Q: What is then left? Will a man become quite unconscious, or will he become an idiot?
A: No, on the contrary. He will attain that consciousness which is immortal and he will become truly wise when he has awakened to his true Self, which is the real nature of man.
Q: But surely the sense of "I" must also pertain to that?
A: The sense of "I" pertains to the person, the body and the brain. When a man knows his true Self for the first time something else arises from the depths of his being and takes possession of him. That something is behind the mind; it is infinite, divine, eternal. Some people call it the Kingdom of Heaven. Others call it the soul, and others again Nirvana, and Hindus call it Liberation. You may give it what name you wish. When this happens a man has not really lost himself, rather he has found himself.
Unless and until a man embarks on this quest of the true Self, doubt and uncertainty will follow his footsteps through life. The greatest kings and statesmen try to rule others when in their heart of hearts they know they cannot rule themselves. Yet the greatest power is at the command of the man who has penetrated his inmost depth. What is the use of knowing about everything else when you do not yet know who you are? Men avoid this enquiry into the true Self, but what else is there so worthy to be undertaken?
~
Writing from: Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self Knowledge
-Arthur Osborne
Art by: Exotic India
Beautiful Words
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the specters in books.
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me.
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self.
—Walt Whitman
Sights & Sounds
Scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian
"Work it Out"
4:35 min
Funny One
Announcements Taken from Church Bulletins
1. Don't let worry kill you. Let the Church help.
2. Thursday night Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow.
3. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
4. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
5. The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Reverend and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
6. This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
7. This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.
8. Next Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.
9. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
10. The Senior Choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
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