Sutra

I was introduced to the Lotus Sutra twenty years ago in Provincetown, Massachusetts. A popular translation of it, with companion text, was published shortly thereafter. The sutra is a verbal form, reportedly preached by the historic Buddha to his followers. In essence, sutra is ancient wisdom in parable or allegory form. Like the Christian gospels, sutra was transmitted verbally before being written down. Think about the implications of this. The difference between sutra and the gospel is the method of verbal transmission. Sutra transmission, by memorization and recitation, became the sole purpose of a whole cult of hundreds of followers (monks) of the historic Buddha after his death. Early Christianity developed as a secular religion, practiced and transmitted in a greater communal context. I feel neither tradition is better nor more reliable than the other. Just different. Certainly both traditions have been corrupted by politics and materialism.

Don't we all have a personal sutra we cherish? "What people do is more important than what they say," for example. Or, "A fool and his money are soon parted." This is what separates Buddhist thought from Christian belief, in my opinion. Buddhist wisdom is handed over to the listener/reader for use and testing. Christian 'faith' is a commitment to 'follow the rules', as delivered by some potentate figure, a priest, minister or self-appointed preacher. Buddhism is about the individual quest for understanding the Universe through personal evolution by practice. Christianity is about salvation through submission to the will of an authority, a Pope, a bible, a synod, a congregation.

Buddhism threatens that element of human nature which reverts to following the pack under stress. Buddhism, in its pure form, turns its back on conformity and submission to the will of others. So is it any wonder that both Islam and Christianity cast a wary eye in the direction of Buddhism? Is it any wonder that Islamic leaders historically tore down Buddhist monasteries, massacred monks by the thousands and destroyed any vestige of Buddhist wisdom in their path?

Peace is an inherent quality of Buddhist thought. Conformity is not. To be Buddhist, one must turn away from what is is expected of one's life by others. This is a necessary first step to self-discovery and eventual selflessness. Those who are drawn to the dependent conformity of Christianity and Islam are puzzled by this aspect of Buddhism. Their puzzlement often tuns to fear, derision or worse. This is of no concern to the Buddhist, since true Buddhism is not in the competition for control of the masses.