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Fingers and Moon

SephSeph Veteran
edited October 2011 in Buddhism Basics
“...an old Zen caution: “Don't mistake the finger for the moon.” Buddhism, Zen, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Judaism, Confucianism, and so on are all useful fingers. Teachings that point the way to fully actualizing ourselves and benefiting others are pointers, but not the end itself. All religious teachings are about what is, but if we focus on the teachings as objects we miss the point.” Dairyu Michael Wenger, Soto Zen priest and Dean of Buddhism Studies at the San Francisco Zen Center, San Francisco, California
This rings frightfully true and similar to what I speak of in Woven.
I will fully admit that many times I fall victim to the pointless, silly, and cyclic debate with myself as to whether I am a Pluralist or a Syncritist, and the hair-line differences between the two. However, I can wholeheartedly agree with Dairyu M. Wenger's statement.

I absolutely love this Buddhist wisdom:
“Don't mistake the finger for the moon”.

(Is it possible that I am an Anonymous Buddhist?)

Comments

  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    Who said you were a Buddhist?
  • skullchinskullchin Veteran
    I think he s referring to the idea (Karl Reiner's?) that one can be an anonymous Christian if they practice it even though they might not be aware of any theology.
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    Just drink water.
  • SephSeph Veteran
    I think he s referring to the idea (Karl Reiner's?) that one can be an anonymous Christian if they practice it even though they might not be aware of any theology.
    (Hey skullchin! Long time no see!!)

    Yes.
    More along the lines of John Hick's angle though.
    Does Buddhism teach (or at least endorse) multiple paths, or ways, to enlightenment?
  • shanyinshanyin Novice Yogin Sault Ontario Veteran
    In my book about Buddha and his teachings, as He is teaching Anapanasati he said it's "The only way"

    If you're interested I could fish out the book and we can see what he meant.
  • SephSeph Veteran
    In my book about Buddha and his teachings, as He is teaching Anapanasati he said it's "The only way"

    If you're interested I could fish out the book and we can see what he meant.
    That'd be awesome.
    I'd be very interested in seeing what he meant by that.
  • skullchinskullchin Veteran
    Hey Seph, good seeing you too! Gotta love & John Hick!

    HHDD and Thich Nhat Hanh both encourage people to NOT leave the religion of their upbringing, because that is what they know best, but they should rather use Buddhism to inform their religion.

    And the convert in the sense of renouncing your previous religion the be able start being a Buddhist does really exist in Western Buhddism as far as I can tell.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    I guess I was an "anonymous Buddhist" for most of my life then :)
  • auraaura Veteran
    edited October 2011
    Truth is truth
    Sun, rain, and gravity by any other name
    still fall on all.
    Truth is truth.

    In the name of all
    or the name of none...
    heal the wounds
    share the gifts.
  • DaozenDaozen Veteran
    Hey Seph,

    There are currently 7 billion paths to Buddhism and counting (and that's just on this planet). Know wot i mean?

    Namaste
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