PHOTO: "Non-Violence" sculpture donated to the United Nations from the government and people of Luxembourg in 1988.In an earlier post I had announced the purchase of land to build the new Blue Cliff Monastery in the tradition of Thich Nhat hanh located in New York state in the U.S.A
Well, I misunderstood why the monastery will be named, "Blue Cliff." Originally I thought it was named for the hills near by. However, I received a new letter yesterday thanking me for my donation and explaining in more detail how the monastery got it's name. The following is from the letter I received from Thay's Unified Buddhist Church:
The center is named Blue Cliff Monastery after the monastery in China where the famous Blue Cliff Records (a record of the most famous koans) were compiled in the 12th century.
On another more serious subject I wanted to also write on the Virginia Tech massacre that occurred yesterday. My heart breaks in sadness for the victims, surviving students and their families involved in this cruel act of fear and delusion. May they be reborn in a world that will provide them the best chance for liberation. However, as this story unfolds even more I must also have compassion for the shooter as he is just as deserving of our love. Maybe even more so because he will most likely have some major karma to work off from this powerfully attaching event. May he be reborn in a scenario that will provide him the best chance to liberate himself from these strong karmic attachments and aversions.
How do we understand such unspeakable acts of violence? I know for myself that I felt fear and anger creeping into my mind after this incident. As panic began to set into my mind and kicked into high gear I recalled the Dharma--suffering is everywhere I reminded myself. We can not avoid it no matter how hard we might try to. I can either live in fear of every moment of my life and suffer even more or I can accept that one day I might indeed find myself caught-up in such a situation and perhaps even killed or injured--accept that potentiality and move on to enjoy my day. If I do not attach to the self then why should I be worried about losing my life or becoming injured? I try to meditate upon death and violence on a regular basis to train my mind not to fear such a natural and normal event. As my acceptance of death becomes stronger it frees me up to truly be in the moment and enjoy it because it may be my last moment in this particular space and time. When I remember that the present moment is the only moment I have--I do the best to live it to the fullest and try to pass that enjoyment and peace on to others.
The Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh (amongst others) are excellent examples in these violent times about letting go of hate, anger and fear. These two great men saw so much bloodshed in their homelands and yet they remain calm, peaceful and happy because they have fully accepted such suffering is the reality of this world. They do not let it attach and weigh down the infinite opportunities that the beautiful gift of each precious, present moment offers us. Both were driven out of their homelands, saw horrific things and lost friends and colleagues to war. Yet they do not let that get them down. They don't attach to that energy. They realize that where ever we find ourselves--that is our home. Accept it for what it is and if it is a rough moment then make the best out of it. Just as we'd decorate a cheap, run-down, ugly apartment to make the most of it. One might have to live in a run-down apartment in a dangerous neighborhood for a time but we accept that and try to make it the most beautiful run-down apartment we have ever seen. And realize that this won't last forever--one day one will live in a different situation.
This is a moment as well where we should meditate upon inter-being/interconnectivity for it is support networks that keep us connected together and not feel alone and unaccepted as this man seems to have been. Let us reach out to those "loners" in our lives and let them know that they are loved, thought of and supported. Understanding inter-being isn't enough for us--we must reach out and look after each other. This dove-tails nicely into the refuge of sangha but sangha means so much more then simply our circle of fellow followers. I believe that sangha (in a broader context) involves everyone in the world. When we realize these connections and our interdependency we want to care for others because they are us. Please hug someone today or send them a message of concern and thoughtfulness. Let us have the courage to rise above hatred and anger and soar in the reinvigorating and cleansing heights of compassion and love.
I can't imagine what pain and suffering these victims as well as their family and friends are going throw right now. May the victims come to one day forgive this man for their own peace of mind and happiness because as we know-hate begets hate, anger begets anger, revenge begets revenge and violence begets violence.
~Peace to all beings~
