If we look beyond differences, major religions deliver like messages

To the editor,

I would like to thank Leo Sandy for Tuesday's column about Buddhism. For one who has been following "The Way" for most of my life now, it was refreshing to see such an informative commentary for the public to enjoy and learn from. I agree that Buddhism (not a religion, but a philosophy of and a way of living life) is one of the world's most peaceful, historically unchanged, and to date, uncorrupted or hijacked spiritual doctrines. I would also concur that all major religions of the world, at the pure and unaltered core, all teach congruent morals and values, peacefully. It is the unfortunate twisting of these doctrines by people and groups that wish to control and manipulate others that cause such strife and conflict, within and without.

Although I do praise the eloquent manner in which Mr. Sandy delivered this relevant discourse, and I am happy that he has embraced the teachings, I would like to first graciously expound on three points, then finish with a few ruminations of my own, if I may beg your indulgences...

Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome: It was actually Theodosius and Gratian in 380/381 AD whom finally recognized and sanctioned Christianity as the "official" religion of Rome, not Constantine. Constantine, of course, was the Roman Emperor, who through the Edict of Milan, granted religions tolerance to all Christians, ceasing persecution. He also sanctioned the first Christian church in Rome. He, however, did not convert right away, as the majority of Roman citizens (and the Roman army) was still Pagan. He furthered the Christian cause, but he did not make it official. It is speculated that Constantine did convert near his death, so that he would secure his son's succession as emperor.

Siddhartha: Siddhartha did not actually found Buddhism; it just kind of grew. He never set out to start anything, nor did he ask for disciples, they just gathered, followed and perpetuated his teachings, liken to Jesus. When the young prince left the Royal Palace, he did so to simply become an ascetic. Siddhartha did just that, studying with many gurus over the years. After some time, he grew disillusioned with the traditional doctrines and he split to be on his own. Siddhartha did not do this to start his own camp, but to quite the outside influences within his mind and allow himself to ruminate existential questions on his own in solitude. Six years after Siddhartha left his home, he became enlightened while sitting beneath a Bodhi tree. It was at that time in which he became the Buddha — the enlightened one.

Mr. Sandy does a fantastic job of outlining the basics of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the tenets of Buddhism that Siddhartha birthed in meditation under that Bodhi Tree.

Karma: Karma is a perplexing notion. It is my understanding that a true Buddhist does not agree with the Western adaptation of "good" or "bad" as it applies to Karma. To a Buddhist, all circumstance is neutral. Whatever meaning attributed is projected through personal perceptions. Again, there is neither good nor bad, only neutral — we attribute meaning. Karma is also not simply "what goes around comes around". The situations in which we find ourselves are simply a result of our actions — this is true Karma. Karma does not guide us; we guide ourselves. Karma explains the results of our actions, and it is the force that binds those actions to our fate. Ultimately, actions create a circumstance. Karma is the logical consequential eventuality of action. If you are peaceful, noble and righteous in intent, than it follows that you will find yourself in "good" situations. However, if intentions and actions are immoral and harmful, then the resulting consequences may turn out to be "bad".

As I read through the rest of Mr. Sandy's column, I could not help but ponder, as he did, the 14 precepts of Buddhism as outlined by Thich Nhat Hanh. These principles are such that all should strive to embrace. Furthermore, I could not help but to see the congruencies to that of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Shinto, Rastafarian and the other 14 of the world's main religions. At the core, they are all the similar in message, albeit different paths, messengers and prophetic topos. If we could only see past the differences, we would realize how similar we all are. Perhaps then we would all get along, and the world would know peace. The Buddha taught that "in the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true."

This notion is in line with Thich Nhat Hanh's first three of his fourteen principals. So if we can challenge ourselves, as Mr. Sandy has, to embrace this philosophy, not as a "religion", but has a "way" to live with each other on this earth, then a pebble of peace will be dropped in an ocean of chaotic dissonance, and the ripples will travel, outward.

Again, thanks to Mr. Sandy for his words, and for provoking this response.

Dave Ferruolo

Laconia