Tom (Thomas) Wharton, a Canadian author, wrote the following back in 2005 when I was running a priory in Edmonton. At that time I was keen to see Rev Master Daizui’s book more widely read or even known about. The following review copied below was never used, up until now. Here it is. Thanks Tom for letting me publish this after all this time.

I like Rev. MacPhillamy’s relaxed, conversational style. The lack of terms from other languages is also refreshing and offers a less “exotic” approach to the subject, which is a good thing. The ancient, Asian terminology that most Buddhist books use can make it seem that you should be having an ancient, Asian experience to really practice meditation, whatever that might mean!

The section on karma and rebirth I found particularly fascinating and helpful. I’ve never seen these elusive concepts set down in quite this accessible way. Rev. MacPhillamy proceeds from a straightforward description of ethical cause and effect which one can quickly verify for oneself with a little thought (when we hurt others we hurt ourselves), and proceeds from there to the more “cosmic” way of looking at the consequences of our actions.

At the stage I’m at with all of this, I find I’m not ready or willing to invest belief in some of these more cosmic notions. But of course neither Rev. MacPhillamy nor Buddhism itself would insist that I do so. And I feel that this respect for the individual person’s freedom of belief is one of the best clues that Buddhism points a trustworthy way to the truth about the universe. Truth shouldn’t need to be policed.

The last chapter, “So, Is this a religion?” offers a brief telling of Shakyamuni Buddha’s life which thankfully doesn’t scatter lotus petals over everything. This is the kind of biography that I would show to people who wanted to find out about the historical Buddha. It’s hard for us cynical westerners to believe that he is not actually worshipped by Buddhists when one reads some of the more mythic versions of his life story. Maybe these magical stories are true. How should I know? I just find it’s more encouraging to me to think about Buddha the human being.

Review written by Thomas Wharton

Buddhism From Within can be bought on-line and it doesn’t cost a fortune either.

“When a person attains realization, it is like the moon reflecting on the water.” Here according to Dogen it is not because of our individual effort that the moon reflects itself on the water.
What Dogen is pointing out here is the reality of all beings as indepen-dent- origination. Everything is connected with everything. Everything exists only within the relationship it has with all other things and by support from them. That is what Dogen Zenji is pointing out when he says that the moon reflects itself on each and every drop of water.

But still, he says, the moon has infinite height and water has infinite depth and we need to investigate how high it is and how deep our life can be. This process of inquiry is the process of our practice.
Genjo Koan commentary by Rev. Shohaku Okumara. What a treasure!

Light. When it’s light, all is illuminated, what comes into our eyes is differentiated. Individual things, each with a very specific function which can’t be swapped or exchanged.  Anything/anybody, all things, are perceived as different. Everything IS different, unique, clearly defined with ‘edges’.

The fingers on one hand, the little finger has a particular function and cannot be swapped, with the thumb for example. However much that little finger would like to be a thumb it can’t be. That is NOT its place/position. Wanting, desiring, longing gets that little finger nowhere at all, so too with our own longings for things, ourselves to be other than we are. ‘Little finger, know and accept your uniqueness, which is subject to change of course. Be at peace. Know that your place (Dharma Position) contributes to the functioning of the whole.’ The hand contributes to the functioning of; both hands, to arms, back, legs and feet, to the land, to the ‘the Great Earth’ (everything) – the universe without edges.

Darkness? Then, in darkness existence is undifferentiated, empty of individual self-nature. When for example it’s physically dark the ‘sets’ (paving stones) in the yard at Throssel do not show up as individuals and yet they each still have their place, making up a mosaic of colour with very specific characteristics.  Each have their unique place functioning together to provide a flat surface to walk on within the Great Earth.

This seeming paradox, existence being dualistic in nature while at the same time non dualistic, is the challenge, the koan of living everyday life – Genjo Koan. How do we live and express this truth?

…the moon has infinite height and water has infinite depth and we need to investigate how high it is and how deep our life can be. This process of inquiry is the process of our practice.

Better leave it at that for tonight. Time to turn.

In the first of a special series to mark the 4 Sundays of Advent, TV presenter and star of Inside The Factory, Cherry Healey embarks on a highly personal journey to explore her spiritual beliefs. 

Revisiting key sliding doors moments from her past and re-engaging with key figures who helped shape her life, she experiences moments of revelation and clarity as she questions how faith shaped the person she is today. 

Unflinching in her honesty, Cherry guides us through her life story, talking publicly for the first time about her unique take on spirituality, her relationship with God and her misgivings about the rules of organised religion. Part travelogue, part celebrity biography, the programme offers thought-provoking insights into what it means to have faith in the 21st century, and tells an inspiring faith story that will resonate with everyone in the build up to Christmas.

My Faith and Me, BBC One, Cherry Healey

There are 23 days left to watch this program and it comes recommended. Cherry had a ‘religious experience’ some time in her early life and had struggled to find a context, ‘where to I put this’ I think she said. Her ‘misgivings’ around organized religion are shared with many, me included. For years I thought I’d have to go to India and find ‘somewhere’ to live the ‘contemplative life’. Not that I really knew what that meant in practice.

Fortunately I found somewhere to put/practice what I discovered, unknowingly, in my early life. And that was/is? All things express/transmit the Truth. Simple really.