More emphasis on disseminating the teaching, particularly this very sutra. That goes a long way toward explaining why we, 2500 years later, actually have it before our eyes. This is how we produce vast bodies of merit, by disseminating the teaching for other beings to take up, use for their own growth, and disseminate to others. Now when I say "body of merit" I just mean that the good effects we have on the world will be much larger if we help other beings to achieve happiness and tranquil states of mind, especially if these beings then do the same for others.
As I've alluded to before, one could take the pessimistic view that this sutra is worthless and is only passed on because it emphasizes that aspect to its readers. This is the view of religion as a virus. The evangelistic religions tend to grow and persist, eventually beating their less extroverted competitors in one vast darwinian struggle. However, this cannot be the whole story, because disciples wouldn't bother to pass on the teaching of a religion that they have found to be ineffective. Also, Buddhism emphasizes that we think deeply abouth things, rejecting and embracing dharmas in an egalitarian way, based on our perception of their truth. To me Buddhism is a philosophy (or religion) which is deeply consistent with the scientific method, which I have a lot of a priori faith in.
So far in my practice, I have made Buddhism work. I hope that it continues to do so, but will not remain attached to that idea! Hee hee.
2 comments:
You ask a question by first making an assumption. My body of merit exists just as my body exists just as the stars and planets exist.
If someone performs a good (meritorious) act, and there's no-one there to observe it, is it still good?
-Vacuous
A couple things here: First, you, Vacuous cannot have been able to avoid the thought: I am disseminating this sutra: I will be very meritorious. Then, of course, you tried to let go of that pride. Yes?
Also, I was immediately struck by the evangelistic quality of it that you point out. The tree that bears no fruit is worthless to the lord and all. Here's my question regarding it: if Nirvana is to let go of this world, how does that jibe with the spreading of the sutra? Why is it necessary?
I am also reminded of Joseph Campbel, who in his analysis of the Myth, identifies as a stage the hero's attainment of special knowledge/passage into a rarefied state. There is a danger here that the hero will not return. However, the next and more lauded stage is when the hero returns to his brothers and sisters to share his wisdom.
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