There really is no such thing if one understands what the Buddha taught. He taught the exact opposite of attaching conditions or dogmas. And that is what both of those words do. They label me.
If I put a label on myself, aren’t I separating myself? I am a Buddhist, you are a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew. Do you see how that term, that label, divides us? But the Buddha taught us that nothing is separate. We are all connected. All things are connected.
So today I want to remove, or let go of this “ism”. It is simply one more attachment and illusion that causes suffering.
Today, I am you. I study the Dharma. That’s all.
I believe the Dalia Lama once said “my religion is love”. I can go along with that. Love is kind and compassionate, and brings us closer. True love never separates or judges, and attaches no conditions or expectations.
I was also thinking how a better name for Buddhist Temples might be Dharma Centers.
But I have to realize that most of us feel this strong need for attachment and definement. It is like having a name and an address, we feel this need to have a label for our belief system too. We cling to our identity and the false sense of self.
Think about it, if you do not have a name, do you cease to exist? Of course not. And if you don’t call yourself a Buddhist, does that mean you don’t study the Dharma and you are not on the path? That’s just plain silly isn’t it?
In closing, I hope that my words do not disturb you. But if they do, that’s OK too.
I wish you all to be safe and free from suffering. I pray that you and I learn to let go of our attachments.
And I pray that you each be well, happy and peaceful.
Last, but certainly not least, I thank my three Teachers. For their love, their blessings, their wisdom, their example and their instruction. Bohoma Pin.
Budu Saranai
