Well, Jerusaleers, it’s just us till the end of the week. Spencer, as was foretold to you, is off to Cambodia. Apparently, it’s a sightseeing vacation. Which seems strange to me since I’m old enough to remember when the only way to get to Cambodia was in a B-52.
I’ve been giving some thought to what we should talk about in his absence — aside from, you know, just making fun of him behind his back. And I’ve decided temporarily to step away from the matter he and I were discussing, namely how to build a Klavan Humanity Test to ensure technology will remain a servant to the human project. Ultimately, this matter must be resolved. Otherwise, some cybernetic assassin might fly back from the future to murder the mother of humanity’s rebel leader before she can safely complete the European leg of her Eras Tour.
But for now, I want to address Spencer’s farewell question. Can we Christians learn anything from Eastern Religion? I’m certain we can.
Those of you who’ve read my memoir of conversion, The Great Good Thing, will know that, for many years, I practiced zazen, a form of meditation that arises out of Buddhist thought. There is no way to speak briefly about that thought without being simplistic. But in general, like Christianity, Buddhism seeks the best way of interacting with oneself and the world.
If, as I believe, the Buddha was a wise man, and if, as I know, Christ is the way, the truth and the life, it would be remarkable indeed if the two circles of their insights did not in some way overlap.
The Buddha believed that human suffering is caused by our covetous craving, which seeks to hold fast to ephemeral things — to life, pleasure, money, success, all the glittering treasures that ultimately melt into nothingness. By letting go of the illusion of a steadfast and objective reality, you can develop an elevated detachment from the hypnotic mortal light show. You become master of your own desires and ultimately achieve the serenity of nirvana. We in the West often use that Sanskrit word to mean heaven or ecstasy. In fact, it means annihilation, to be blown out like a candle, to put an end to self and the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth.
Christianity also looks upon the brightly dying beauties of the world as a potentially destructive snare. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” [Matthew 6:19-21]
But the middle path to Buddha’s nirvana and Christ’s strait and narrow way to the Kingdom of Heaven are essentially different.
I’ll explain why I think so tomorrow.
I like the way you are not afraid to glean the good out of another way of thinking. Too many times I believe that we shut out everything that is not “our brand“ and think it must all be evil if it’s not what we believe. We just have to be able to be solid enough to understand the good from other cultures without letting it distract us from what we know is the ultimate right way. Where the two conflict we must use Jesus!
I believe the biggest difference between Christianity and other religions, which Satan uses as a snare to snatch as many as he can, is that every other religion asks us to rely on ourselves, make ourselves good enough, and that we can only achieve our ultimate goal through our own works. Christianity is the opposite. All of our good works are filthy rags. Jesus gloves us as his creation, and had to come save us because there is no way for us to do it ourselves. Our good works are only a thank you gift back to our creator who has done all of the work to save us.
Sorry to spoil your letter tomorrow, Andrew, with my own brilliance! Lol!!
I trained in a very traditional martial art style for years and zazen was part of that training. I’m a Christian and thought there was a connection, but Christ’s “straight and narrow” way is the true way. Lots to think about. Too much for a short comment. Enjoying this very much! Thank you Klavans.