Tannishblog

As a modern American Buddhist, I sometimes feel pulled in two directions. While I practice the path, and study the sutras and the contemporary work of the likes of Thich Nhat Hahn, Pema Chodrön, and the Dalai Lama, I understand how humanity is fundamentally good. Underneath all the chaos and confusion, people want to love and be loved, to help one another and be nurturing. This week’s word of wisdom From the Dzogchen Organization, founded by Lama Suryas Das, reflects that belief.

The capability of human life is beyond our imagination. This capability is unique. What counts is the human capacity to investigate and transform our own mind and the world around us in a powerful and positive direction. ~ Gehlek Rinpoche

I look in the papers and see the dead face of a stranger gracing the front page in full color. This recently departed man is the latest high-profile victim of America’s folly – a man whose mane was only uttered sparingly throughout the whole war, but is now on every news outlet in the nation. I know nothing about him except the questionable spin provided by our propaganda machine, one would assume he didn’t believe in the basic goodness of mankind, that he acted in accordance to this. But then neither does the American people, or its government. We’re acting accordingly, too; now this man and countless others – men women and their children – lie dead at the behest of our nation’s elite.

And then – as if we need a second example – there is Anne Coulter, whom it appears, is naming her latest book after her personal style of oratory. Hyper-inflammatory, her words give lie to the aforementioned tenet of Buddhists whom, it should be noted, are not theists. Ms. Coulter loudly proclaims her Christianity while sputtering venom like this:

They [liberals] have an irreducible fascination with barbarism and will defend anything hateful–Tookie, Mumia, Saddam Hussein, Hedda Nussbaum, abortion, The North American Man/Boy Love Association, New York Times columnist Frank Rich.

Frank Rich? I guess he really ticked her off… But I digress

My confusion with my core beliefs and current events sometimes make me want to hide, or to throw my hands up in existential disgust. Mostly, it numbs me into a kind of spiritual paralysis. How can one rectify the evidence of an open heart, and the demonstrations of heartless aggression?

Compare the two quote above: Given this polarization of words and world views, I am not apologetic in my personal choice to forgo a belief in a God - who allows his adherents to continually battle each other in whatever form is handy - for a belief in no God and in the basic goodness of mankind. I’ll stick with the foreigners and with the Americans with funny names, anytime.