Lessons in Buddha's Method

Lessons in Buddha's Method
Dissolving the Set - Part B
Find: Part A; Other Meditations

"This is why in Buddha's Method, we meditate." He continued along his broken-English thought stream from his mantra Happiness is Silence. Speaking to the Medicine Man is like reading the Tao: his language is simple, but if you search for depth, you'll find it.

"When I meditate, I know I am sitting in this chair. But in my mind," he moved his hand from his temple to his sternum, "I am in an empty room, not sitting on anything."

Eastern Tradition says the Mind is of the Heart, not the Brain.

"It is the Brain's way to have many troubles. But this is not true of the Mind." His fingers once again pressed towards his Heart. "The Mind and the Brain are different."

"If you taste a food and it's sour, your Brain reacts to the experience. Your Mind does not have this experience. After awhile, your Brain influences your Mind. The troubles of the Brain become a set and combine with the Mind. IN practicing Buddha's Method, we learn to -"

"Disolve the set." I interjected, finally understanding.

"Yes." he nodded softly, and smiled in resolve.

Lessons in Buddha's Method

Lessons in Buddha's Method
Dissolving the Set - Part A
Find: Part B; Other Meditations

"I don't agree with what people say," he started, "Buddha's Method is a Science, not a religion." I had asked him to tell me more of Buddhism -- his favorite topic. When the Medicine Man talks Buddha, he is really teaching life.

"Like your God: When you experience His presence - in the room - that is not religion, that is Science. Buddha's Method is a process -- for all of life: happy, sad, sick, Time, Love.

"Let me say it this way. Your computer has a set process. Buddha's Method is to dissolve the set."

Nodding softly, I appreciated the effort. But it didn't become clearer until later...

"I do not like Taiwan's education. They destroy Creative Mind. They push only one answer until all are down one road. When students read a book, the teacher asks a question, but only accepts one answer. When I read, I see many answers!

"That's why I make sure my children play every day. My son plays with animals and insects. He feeds fish. And everyday, I ask him," the father turned to his 7 year old nearby, "Are you happy?" With a signature ear-to-ear grin, the boy shook his head in resolve.

"Happiness is most important in life," he stated in satisfaction.

"Buddha's Method is about happiness. The Psychology. It is basic Science. But people don't think so. As humans create more -- cars, TV, electric power, lights -- they think this is Happiness. But they forget; this is not real happiness. Happiness is Silence."

"I think today, people are afraid of Silence," I offered.

"Yes" he stated, nodding softly.

That's a Lotta Buddha

Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Bangkok, Thailand

Easter in Taiwan, or Translation Please?

I trust everyone had a great Easter! What are some of the traditions you all carry on (where ever you are)? You don't realize the little rituals you'll miss until you're away.

My Easter was pleasantly Bunny free, but I did manage to eat a full-fledged Easter brunch.

A week prior, my pastor and his wife invited me over after Easter-Sunday church. I don't think I've written about my church here before, but I've been attending there since the first month I was in Taiwan. The building (and their home) is almost directly outside of my house. It takes me a whole of 30 seconds to get there by foot.

My pastor and his family are mid-western Americans. Though they've lived in Taiwan for many years, and their kids have never lived in the States, they still cling to American Traditions. Humorously so. Their 10 year old calls me David Cook (surprisingly, my "nick name" back home...).

But they've been a (dareisay) Godsend at a few points during my trip, and have always heartily opened their doors to me.

There's also a group of 20Somethings (no, not that one) that meets on Tuesday Nights. A lively bunch I've certainly grown to love. We had a get-together last Tuesday and they invited some more friends than the typical weekly crew.

They asked me if I would speak. I thought it funny considering my language of choice wasn't theirs, but they didn't seem fazed. They wanted to know my story: what it was like growing up in the church in America, and what made me come to Taiwan. (Church talk, we call this a "testimony") So I obliged.

It took some coaxing, but my friend Ring (an adorable Taiwanese girl who loves art and music, teaches, and does Amway part time) agreed to translate. Even though I tried to phrase things in a way that would be easy to interpret, I didn't realize how funny we Americans talk. Let's just say it took more than one draft.
Ring (that's her English name) did a fantastic job, and was even quick enough to impromptu when I strayed from the script. She let me know, though. A glance at the sheet, a glare at me, and a swat at my arm was enough to tell me I needed to get back on track. I threw "No Man is an Island" at her. Oh boy, that was a doozey. Luckily, some listening were familiar with the phrase. But she was a champ. And it was a fun night. I'm glad they talked me into it :)

Picture and Updates

A few of you have commented on the new layout of the blog, and yes, I did take the picture and make the banner. I created the banner with a program called Gimp, which is fantastically free. Photoshop for poor people (read: me). A great blog, I Can't Save Money, directed me there a couple months ago (for other poor people: check out the blog, it's a great find). Gimp is perfect for those who enjoy touching up pictures, but have no business pursuing photography/design professionally (read: me, again).

The photo is from the local temple. I've written of another temple before, but this one is beautiful, and rich with history. A great place to visit if you're in the city.


One last thing. On the subject of bookstores, I found a shop that sells works in English! It's amazing. Now, I honestly believe I have more books here in Taiwan than they do a selection (despite their 4 floors of shelf room), but I'll take what I'm given. (Heaven on Earth? Maybe.) I picked up a book. No, it wasn't The Dark Knight paperback- though that was an option. Instead, I opted for Tuesdays with Morrie, a book that's been on my list to read for years. I've never met someone who had read that book that I didn't like. Plus it was small and light. Lighter than a t-shirt light.

Everything I do from this point on, I've got to keep airport baggage in mind.
Home Stretch.

Mixed Meat, Idolly Speaking

Yesterday, I ate a Pig's Gall Bladder.

It was meaty, with some fat. A little chewy.

I was told it had been dedicated to Buddha in a Temple Festival a day or so prior.
I thought about Paul when he talked about eating meat sacrificed to idols. I didn't remember all the ins and outs of what he had to say, so I just ate it anyways. I didn't want to be rude.
I asked them if it was going to give me magical powers or something. They said, no, it's just special. That made me feel better about eating it.

It wasn't bad, but I don't think I'm going to make Gall Bladder a dietary habit.

Later that night, I had chicken rump, and chicken stomach. It was from the nice lady at the mixed meat stand.

I made up for it, though. Finished my night with a big American Chili's burger, topped off with a White Chocolate Molten Cake... and some Carmel Popcorn while I watched the new 007 flick.

Worth it.

That's a Lotta Buddha

So, believe it or not, but there are Buddhist Temples all over Taiwan.

These temples range from small rooms, to huge centuries-old establishments.

I've been to a couple in the city, and a couple in LuKang - including one that was dedicated to the Emperor's Warriors, and one that has been standing for over 500 years! The intricacies in the architecture are breath taking.

There's a new temple being built. In fact, it wasn't quite 100% up-and-running when I happened in for a look. It's certainly an Ancient-meets-Modern-chic Temple. The outside is fairly indistinguishable, unlike the unmistakable appearance of its Ancestors.
But upon stepping inside, you're greeted by an elderly man in a lotus position towering over you, looking down from 30-40 feet above.

"Where do you get that," I wondered.

My question was answered on my way to Ikea last week (you really got to love Ikea), I passed what I could only describe as a Buddha-Surplus store. There were three, 30 foot Statues lined in a row, then a couple 15 footers. And around that? Smaller statues decorated the empty lot with all the tents, tables and fanfare to boot. It looked like a whole-sale warehouse that you could find off the 5-freeway along your way to La Mirada.

Though Taoism and even Christianity are prevelent over here on the Island, Buddhism seems to be the dominate practice.

I don't know much about this religion. I hope to know more.
Understanding someone's world view, especially their religion, will only help you understand them as a person more. Beyond that, I've found that understanding other people helps you to grow in a deeper knowledge of yourself and your worldview. It changes, shifts, and reaffirms the grounds you stand on.

From what I can tell, the Buddhist Culture puts a heavy emphasis on Ancestors and Ghosts. And when there's Ghosts, there's fear. In fact, there's a whole week called Ghost Week where the Taiwanese go to great lengths to keep themselves safe from angry spirits.

Fear is a powerful motivator. It changes peoples minds, shifts peoples perspectives and reaffirms their hesitations.
Effective, it may be. But I'm not conviced Fear is the wisest of persuasions.
Looking at this new culture has taught me to begin to evaluate my own.

What are the areas in my life that I operate out of Fear?
How can I change them to be more Affirming and Life-Giving?
How can I let Fear give way to Love?

That's my rant for this Blog. I'll leave you with a snap shots from the up-and-coming Temple.