Yearly Archives: 2008

Falls Between the Cracks, Information, Teachings

A Door that Can’t be Closed

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Former Muslim radical Shiraz Maher spent his student days campaigning for an Islamic caliphate in which execution for renouncing Islam would be written into the constitution. Now Shiraz is calling for moderation and greater Muslim integration into British life, a stance which has meant he himself is now labelled an apostate by some Muslim radicals, for which the penalty is death. He asks whether such an extreme punishment is really justified by the Qu’ran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad. ‘Could I Stop Being a Muslim?’, BBC Radio 4 FM
Listen on-line or to the repeat Sunday 27th at 5.00 pm GMT

This programme explores the issue of apostasy the formal renunciation of ones religion thus becoming an apostate.

Contrary to Abrahamic dogmas, there is no concept of an apostate in Hinduism or Buddhism, as everyone is accepted as one and the same. Converts to other religions from Hinduism or Buddhism are accepted in these communities, as there is no Hindu or Buddhist procedure that defines apostasy.
– Wikipedia.

Thank you to my monastic walking companion for bringing the concept of apostasy to my attention. This is a new word for me but not a new concept, thankfully not one we have in Buddhism. I’ll listen to the recording of the above programme when I return to the monastery tomorrow.

Out and About

In Earnest

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Quick now, here, now, always—
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything)
And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well
When the tongues of flame are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.
Little Gidding. T.S.Elliot

Please be assured that all is well here and the reason for sporadic postings is due to my need to concentrate on a piece of writing connected with my monastic responsibilities. This has been a collaborative effort involving working with my monastic colleagues here in Britain and also in North America. The process of working together has been an adventure and a joy. Now the text has been written the process of taking Refuge with a wider group of monks begins in earnest. I’ll be traveling south tomorrow landing back in the monastery late Saturday night.

Thank you to those who have sent me gentle notes asking if all is well.

Out and About

Rehabilitation

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The sound of the engine changed from a purr to a full blow diesel rattle. There was no going back since we were on the final approach to the M6 Motorway heading North. If the car broke down we’d call out the break down service. Uh! no cell phone! No worries I’ve got mine. If we broke down we’d miss our appointment in Kendal. Going up a hill now. Are we loosing power? No, I’m just going slowly. We’d maybe not get to Throssel tomorrow. I’ll need to at least have the garage check the car before we leave. If there’s something seriously wrong I’ll catch the train, no problem..

Privately and together we tot up the possible consequences and scenarios of one simple event. A car engine changing from it’s customary and familiar purr to a worrisome rattle. We reached Kendal and parked for the day. It’ll be fine when we want it. said my companion with confidence. And sure enough after filling up with petrol in the evening the car returned to its normal smooth running state. But that all of life’s rattles mended so easily.

While machines rehabilitate, one way or another, we humans are rather more complicated when it comes to getting back on our feet. I have several people in mind who have had or are about to have major surgery. It’ll be fine. or:

All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well. Julian of Norwich

Teachings

Teaching Off the Cuff

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This evening a chap reminisced about something he’d heard me say, off the cuff, in the Throssel kitchen while washing a plate. He was eighteen then, now his daughter is eighteen and he’s thirty six. I remember him well, he had long black shining hair, he was shining inside too. Still is. I’m remembered as being somewhat stern, he says the novices were obviously on their best behaviour when I was around. That’s not my memory of me and how things were, but never mind.

I passed on a plate I’d washed to the novice doing the drying. Err, Rev. Mugo the dish isn’t quite clean. Oh never mind it will get clean next time around! That is of course an outrageous thing to say in terms of health and hygiene. What kind of example is that? The chap wasn’t able to come again for ten years however the remark was remembered and he’d derived something positive from it. Beats me what.

This story proves once again that it is not the truth or falsity of the teacher’s words but the sincerity of the student that moves somebody along, or brings them back.

I’m left wondering what I might have said off the cuff and caused somebody not to come back, ever. If there is anybody reading this and are in that position…please come back. As with my good friend above it is the student’s sincerity that makes the difference. How could it be any other way?

This and That

Blogger Appreciation Day

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Walter of Evolving Space is back in Singapore and writing again. Sometimes it’s good to take a break and come back refreshed helping to make the world a better place. Mensch is the word, Walter is a mensch in the scientific community. Blush all you like I believe it is true. That’s enough for Blogger Appreciation Day. Here’s a picture taken last week at the British Library in London.

Walter_and_Mugo_British_Library.jpg

See Guy Kawasaki’s blog for more on Mensch qualities.