We Are Unknown ( Archived) (16)

"We are clearly living in a period of profound historical transition. As many point out, more positive forms of human interaction and dialogue must be developed if we are to bring out the creative possibilities of this era. What can Buddhism contribute to building a new culture of dialogue?

The word dialogue comes from the Greek dia--through--logos, a word that includes the meanings of language, principle, rationality, law, etc. Dialogue in Buddhism is not merely a vehicle or means for communicating its message. Rather, the practice of dialogue expresses a central tenet of Buddhism--faith in human beings, in their limitless dignity and potential as possessors and embodiments of universal truth. In the Buddhist tradition, dialogue--open and respect-based human interaction--has played a central part in the quest to discover and identify common or universal values that would allow human beings to live in the best, most humane and empowering ways.

Today the idea of "universal values" is often viewed with suspicion, if not open hostility, as code and cover for one culture imposing itself on another. But a belief in the existence of common human values need not contradict belief in a particular cultural and religious perspective.

If we examine the lives of all of humanity's great religious and philosophical teachers, we find that they have all been masters of the art of dialogue. At the same time, they are without exception people of firm, seemingly unshakable faith. This suggests that strongly-held convictions are not necessarily an impediment to dialogue; rather, they may be the critical condition for its success." - SGI Quarterly, Dialogue in Buddhism

I love the poem and the quotes above regarding Buddhism. Thank you, as always, for being you, GB.

I care enough
Not to care,
I shoulder burdens
That aren't there
I am illusion
You are smoke
So just relax
And let the yoke
Of your dogma fall
We are uknown
One and all.

"We are all, just an illusion", to those who we present an illusion, and to those we present our realities, we are reality. Of self-love, possessions of self, works both, the illussion, and reality, according to that which can be gained. I, myself, could create the illusion among thieves, I too, am a thief, as, of self-love, I have cavorted with thieves, and reaped the benefits of its yoke. My prosperity, and possessions, were not unknown to thieves, but the reality of it was an illusion to myself. Without care I shouldered the burden of guilt, justifying it of self, and self pleasure. Yoked with an illusion created cover a reality, the smoke, and mirrors, of a living lie to benefit individual conscience. A life of weakness, not strength, as the weakness becomes the illusion of strength, and when severely tested, proves its worth. Any defenses one has, when living an illusion, is of the illusion, while those living reality, have real defenses. We are all known of our realities, "One and All", of our associations, and there strenghs.

Myself, not reliant on illusion, as of it you will be standing alone with those of an illusion.

Ok. Cool.

The Moon Cannot Be Stolen

Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to discover there was nothing to steal.

Ryokan returned and caught him. "You have come a long way to visit me," he told the prowler, "and you should not return empty-handed. Please take my clothes as a gift."

The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away.

Ryoken sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow," he mused, "I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon."