Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Nate W., Ashley Wells (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly; Empire of the Sun
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| Dreamy, whip-creamy scene from "Varsity Blues" has one thing better to offer (MTV). |
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| But most Buddhists have sex! It's just the monastics who are celibate. Ask anyone. |
This song inspired me to be a Buddhist for a day, something I always wanted to try anyway. Imagine me a Zen Master, a Shaolin kung fu drop kicker, a night marketeer with all the cool outfits. And there's probably something to learn, but let's not let that get in the way of the fun to be had.
What does it take to be a "Buddhist"?
What does it take even for a minute? There are the Five Precepts, saying "om" a lot or listening to the sound of one hand clapping to have an insight into the dependently-originated nature of all things, and there's going for guidance to the Three Jewels.
Now what are these jewels or gems, guides, or sources of deepest wisdom?
(1) There's the Buddha, of course. His name is Shakyamuni, "Prince Siddhartha Gautama of the Shakya/Scythian Clan" at birth.
(2) There's what he taught, which gets called the Dharma, and (3) there's the Community of beings (the Arya-Sangha) who have become enlightened following the Dharma rediscovered and made known by the Buddha, the Awakened One.
Sounds good because they should have something to say about life, the universe, and everything. Too bad Douglas Adams is no longer here to ask them.
The Five Precepts
Is that really them? I already refrain from those, well, from most of those. But I don't like violating any of them. Ah, if only a life of quiet meditation, ecstatic states, and profound calm could release me of ever even bending those guidelines for a good life!
What else? What about a special ceremony or hazing? Not necessary. But Westerners love an induction. If so, ask a local monastic to perform something. They'll do it, and they may even throw in a special certificate with your new Dharma name, like "Ananda," "Khema," or "Grasshopper." Whatever inspires you.
Only one thing remains, the outfit. Now, it turns out both Buddhist monks and nuns say anyone can practice Buddhism in street clothes. Pshaw! What's the fun in that. I need a robe or a toga, a batik sarong, at least a hat or a t-shirt or one of those saffron-colored little vest. Oh-yeah, that will be so cool! One time "Dawson" (James Van Der Beek) of Dawson's Creek tried to go from TV to the big screen in some Texas high school football movie ("Varsity Blues").
He was all right, nothing great, not nearly so interesting without that Katie Holmes-Cruise girl chasing him all the time (but a better blonde replaces Katie). But his little brother in it IS great: he's always searching for a better religion, trying them all on for size. In one scene, he goes Malcolm X-syle Muslim and is asked about sex. Blasphemy, but funny. This brother was a side gag, but the movie would have been much more interesting if it were just about him or if they had made a sequel.
What are Empire of the Sun even talking about in this song with an accompanying video shot in Chinatown?
But what about meditation?
(Jason Headley) Have trouble sitting in silence? This might help. Might not. But it's a start. After all, "zen" (Japanese for jhana) means "deeply absorbed meditative state." WARNING: Profanity!
Walking on a dream
The Pursuit of Happiness
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| Between East and West: Scythian Buddha |
Now what are these jewels or gems, guides, or sources of deepest wisdom?
(1) There's the Buddha, of course. His name is Shakyamuni, "Prince Siddhartha Gautama of the Shakya/Scythian Clan" at birth.
(2) There's what he taught, which gets called the Dharma, and (3) there's the Community of beings (the Arya-Sangha) who have become enlightened following the Dharma rediscovered and made known by the Buddha, the Awakened One.
Sounds good because they should have something to say about life, the universe, and everything. Too bad Douglas Adams is no longer here to ask them.
The Five Precepts
- Refrain for the sake of ourselves and others from taking the life of living beings or getting anyone else to take it.
- Refrain from taking what is not given or encouraging anyone else to take it.
- Refrain from sexual misconduct (engaging in intercourse with the 10 "off-limits" persons) or prompting anyone else into misconduct.
- Refrain from wrong speech (perjury, harsh speech, inopportune speaking, gossip/idle speech, deceit).
- Refrain from consuming intoxicants that occasion heedlessness (in other words, getting so high that one breaks any of the previous four precepts) or contributing to anyone else's delinquency in this regard.
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| Siddhartha, Bimba get married. |
What else? What about a special ceremony or hazing? Not necessary. But Westerners love an induction. If so, ask a local monastic to perform something. They'll do it, and they may even throw in a special certificate with your new Dharma name, like "Ananda," "Khema," or "Grasshopper." Whatever inspires you.
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| What to wear? Buddhist closets |
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| Li'l bro "Varsity Blues" |
What are Empire of the Sun even talking about in this song with an accompanying video shot in Chinatown?
But what about meditation?
(Jason Headley) Have trouble sitting in silence? This might help. Might not. But it's a start. After all, "zen" (Japanese for jhana) means "deeply absorbed meditative state." WARNING: Profanity!
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| The "Scythian" (Shakyian) Clan of Afghanistan on the Silk Road built the world's largest Buddhist statues in honor of their prince who renounced and became the Buddha (LR). |
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LYRICS: "Walking On A Dream"
Walking on a dream
How can I explain
Talking to myself
Will I see again
We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it
Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it
On and on and on we are calling out and out again
Never looking down I'm just in awe of what's in front of me
Is it real now
When two people become one
I can feel it
When two people become one
Thought I'd never see
The love you found in me
Now it's changing all the time
Living in a rhythm where the minutes [are] working overtime
We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it
Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it
On and on and on we are calling out and out again
Never looking down I'm just in awe of what's in front of me
Is it real now
When two people become one
I can feel it
When two people become one
Is it real now
When two people become one
I can feel it
When two people become one
Catch me I'm falling down
Catch me I'm falling down
Don't stop just keep going on
I'm your shoulder [to] lean upon
So come on deliver from inside
All we got is tonight that is right 'till first light...
Talking to myself
Will I see again
We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it
Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it
On and on and on we are calling out and out again
Never looking down I'm just in awe of what's in front of me
Is it real now
When two people become one
I can feel it
When two people become one
Thought I'd never see
The love you found in me
Now it's changing all the time
Living in a rhythm where the minutes [are] working overtime
We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it
Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it
On and on and on we are calling out and out again
Never looking down I'm just in awe of what's in front of me
Is it real now
When two people become one
I can feel it
When two people become one
Is it real now
When two people become one
I can feel it
When two people become one
Catch me I'm falling down
Catch me I'm falling down
Don't stop just keep going on
I'm your shoulder [to] lean upon
So come on deliver from inside
All we got is tonight that is right 'till first light...
(Lissie) Cover of Kid Cudi's all-American search for elusive happiness
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| The Kalama Sutta is a great starter sutra. |
There's one more question to answer before one embarks on the Buddhist path to complete freedom: Why? Well, if complete freedom isn't enough of a reason, then the best reason to pursue it is the pursuit of happiness -- real, lasting happiness that does not disappoint like hedonism, anger, and delusion.
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| Sex, guns, football can wait till tomorrow. |
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