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by
Charles Carreon
Many of the students who
started class early are finishing early. Take Stephen Batchelor, who
started out way ahead of the crowd, translating Buddhist texts, chumming
around with lamas in Dharamsala, learning the Vajrayana equivalent of the
merit badge system. Not only did he understand it, but he could relate it
in writing. If anyone seemed destined for the title of "lotsawa" it would
certainly have been him.
But somewhere along the way,
his sincerity became an obstacle to his growth within the Tibetan Buddhist
system. Failing to sufficiently value his opportunities within the
hierarchy, he allowed his personal desire for understanding to take
precedence. He could have been a khenpo, now people respect him less than
a bonpo. What went wrong? He's so low even people who haven't started
their ngondro can afford to dislike him without fear of reproach. His
books are no longer endorsed by important lamas, his stock is about to be
de-listed, and there is certainly nothing in his 401K.
How does this happen? Surely
it is Stephen's fault. A deep personality flaw that took its time in
manifesting. Previously undetected strata of stony pride and repelling the
drill bit of vajra wisdom. A heart unsoftened by devotion, refusing entry
to the guru's grace. All things that any Pema-come-lately knows to avoid,
and will avoid, as the protectors give them strength. And don't forget to
use deodorant, prostrations make you stink like a pig.
While apparently quality
people like Batchelor consign themselves to the trash heap of modern
Buddhist road-kill, low-lifes continue to move up the ladder. The
hereditary low-lifes accept their entitlements with all the aplomb of
pampered royalty, knowing better than to question a system that bestows
such blessings. Aspiring purchasers of titles have found that generosity
is indeed the first perfection to which they must aspire. All other
blessings then follow.
Dr. Rick Strassman, the bold
and dedicated psychedelic researcher had his license to practice Buddhism
summarily revoked when an aging Zen master got wind of his plans to let
people explore their minds with chemicals under the rubric of a spiritual
quest. Meanwhile, Joan Halifax, ex-wife of Stan Grof and long-time
promoter of altered states, tacks "Roshi" onto the end of her name,
apparently having found a more accommodating doctrinal perch. Or perhaps
it turned out, under questioning, that she didn't inhale.
The search for doctrinal
legitimacy is doomed. Buddhists are as sectarian as Baptists, just as
convinced that their sect is right and that others, while tentatively
entitled to acceptance as sister-sects, would fundamentally be better off
changing their beliefs to accord with the Real Truth. The real strengths
of the Eastern sects are their incorporation of mass methods of
subjugation by the use of powerful symbols. Uniformly patriarchal, skilled
in using authoritarian props like thrones, robes, staffs and scepters, the
Easterners can control a crowd more reliably than Mick Jagger. And
accomplish the same thing -- subjugate all the men, and excite all the
women. In this way, both sexes work for free, attempting to work their way
up to the pyramid of recognized loyalty and desirableness.
What many aspirants have
found is that it's a long way to the top, and there isn't much of a view.
When you have collected all of your merit badges and apply for your
certificate, it turns out there's not much there. If you want a title, a
position where you can work like an indentured servant indefinitely to
accomplish things that someone else decided must be done, you may retire
in this position. But most people would find a job at the post office more
rewarding. The apex of a religious venture is always as detestably twisted
as any other human power focus. But it is twice as galling to find
yourself there at the end of a quest for self-fulfillment That is where
the exiles are coming from, and no one wants to hear what they have to
say. They are going down the upstaircase, and are seen as just being old
and in the way, poisoned by the wine of sour grapes. But suppose they are
like the people heading out of the Two Towers on 9-11? Suppose they are
telling everyone to turn around, go back, and return home for their own
safety. It will give them no satisfaction to see those who do not listen
consumed in the disaster.
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