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Darius Bu
About Me
I imagine that most people turn towards 'alternative faiths' when the pressures of everyday life become too confusing. This was certainly one of the reasons why I looked into Buddhism. Having been exposed to several sound bites and quotes I found something which resonated with me and I decided to look deeper. In Buddhism I found a series of methods for systematically examining the mind while engaging with it at the same time. For me it was more than a little frightening at first. In Buddhism I found I couldn't blame anyone else for the events in my life, be they good or bad. I found the culprit was me and this was a little depressing at first. Thankfully, Buddhism also offers methods for dealing with the culprit.

I think to really commit to this path of 'self destruction' requires real strength and courage but if I had the strength and courage in the first place why would I seek a crutch like Buddhism?

This is why I think Buddhism (and other religions who do insist on 'faith') is fertile soil for abusers. I suspect that many of the people who turn to Buddhism do so because they're looking for reassurance, certainty and meaning. The carrot is kept dangling tantalisingly close.... enlightenment or liberation. Devote yourself to you teacher/guru and the carrot can be yours. I have seen this kind of devotion in action. It's like a sedative. Devotees become like speep walkers, attending talk after talk, recieving blessing after blessing and initiation after initiation. They feel good, they feel safe. The guru becomes valium. It's addictive.

When you are suitably sedated you are in danger of becoming totally compliant.

Buddhism has been a wonderful tool for me. I would urge everyone to investigate their 'self' but it is absolutely essential that you remain vigilant and critical throughout the process. I consider myself a bit of a 'tough nut to crack' but I fell for the 'serve your guru' bullshit. I didn't want to spend long hours raising the value of the sangha leaders property by renovating it, but I found myself doing just that. I can't believe I was so docile. Thankfully, I never surrendered my critical faculties. I always wanted to know who said it, why they said it and who decided they were an authority to say it.

I may have an different perspective on Buddhism than the other contributors on this forum but here are my conclusions after 13 years of practice.

There is no reassurance because you face life alone. There is no certainty because all things, at all times, are are always changing. There is no meaning to life because there is nobody out there to give it any meaning. It's you, all alone. I suspect that when I have the courage to accept this then I have created the conditions for enlightenment.

So do not surrender. You're guru cannot see into your mind and is therefore not an authority on YOU. Your guru or teacher can provide information which you can use to give you the strength for face the world alone. If your guru or teacher cultivates an atmosphere where his/her students become more dependant on him/her then smell the rat and get out fast!

If they start talking about supernatural events (Buddha's manifesting in clouds around them) and you want to experience the same you've missed the point and need to examine your motivation. If you start to experience these manifestations then I suspect the conditioning from your guru has been successful. It's either that or you're crazy.

http://dariusbu.wordpress.com/
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