[Buddha-l] Re: H.H. The Dalai Lama vs Geshe Michael Roach

[Benito Carral]

Dear and deeply respected friend,

> So  I  think  these cases of discipline vows are also
> close related with a more clear delimitation of these
> borders. Because in fact, that man wants to be a monk
> living a lay life, and he thinks that's possible, and
> also  some  people  around  him  seems  to be able of
> believing that.

   I  think  that  there  is  something important to be
remembered  here.  Buddhist wows are not imposed, i.e.,
one takes them as he wishes.

   It's true that my practice has led me to cherish the
precepts,  but  it's  not  that someone has asked me to
follow  them,  it's  that my "wisdom" asks me to try to
live  by  them  because  I understand that they are the
right  thing  to  do--and I fail sometimes, more than I
wished.

   And  yes,  I think that it's possible to live a life
ruled  by  semi-monastic Buddhist precepts in the midst
of  a  lay  society.  But I ask my students to do their
best  but not to be too hard with themselves or others,
but  understanding  (except in case of abuse, verbal or
otherwise).  I  only  ask them to follow the five basic
precepts,  and  then,  if  they  want  more compromise,
they're welcome. In fact, this week I talked them about
master  Hakuin  and his love for sake and tobacco, just
to  illustrate  the  real  life  of  a  real  great Zen
master--not  everyone can be as venerable master Xuyun,
although I think that it would be most desirable).

   Then, although I'm a layman living in a lay society,
I  don't  consider  myself part of such a semi-society,
but  a  Buddha's  son--quite  imperfect  as  I'm.  This
society  is  deeply  sick,  and  I  can't  think of any
intelligent  human  being  wanting  to be part of if or
follow  its  ways.  Then,  although it's quite probable
that  I  will  end  my  life  as  a Chan monk in a Chan
monastery,  I think that our shared society needs a lot
of semi-monastic people walking down their streets.

   But this is the wisdom of a fool, you know.

   Best wishes,

   B

P.  S. About Michael Roach, laying about one's level of
realization    is   considered   one   of   the   worst
transgressions  of  the precepts, and for good reasons.
He  can  live  as he wants, but I think that it's not a
goot  idea  to  claim  the  eight bodhisattva level for
himself.   But,   who  knows,  maybe  it  was  just  an
unfortunate joke.