This is an entry about intention. There is a Buddhist retreat center across the street from Findhorn Ecovillage called Shambala. I wanted to volunteer there to get a behind the scenes look at the “Buddhist Heart Shrine Relic tour” that was coming through town. Basically, when Buddhist monks die, beginning with the original Buddha, Siddhartha, pearl-like crystals have been found in the ashes. Some believe that these relics are a result of the true loving kindness within the Buddhist teachers and that they can radiate these energies to observers. There are now monks travelling around the world on this Heart Shrine Tour sharing these relics and giving blessings to anyone who would like to receive them.
I thought about the co incidence of Shambala opening directly across the street from Findhorn. It seems to me an inevitable communion of New Age spirituality and Buddhism, one of the most ancient forms of spirituality in the world. I hesitate to use the word religion because I think both of these ways of being emphasize finding your own path--nothing indoctrinating about them, but it offers a supporting community of fellow seekers.
I sat wide-eyed at the opening ceremony as an interfaith minister talked about her view on the underlying message of all religions which is human compassion. As I stared at the display of the relics and the pictures of the deceased monks, I felt a strange sense of anticipation. I scrutinized the display case and I noticed a flower moving up and down, as if it were breathing. My heart skipped a few beats—until I saw that it was attached to a wire and it in fact was an electronically blossoming lotus. I laughed and then felt a bit jipped by this; adjacent to this mechanically budding lotus flower were the relics of the first Buddha—Siddhartha. I pondered whether the presentation took away from the integrity of the message.
I was the official guard of the relics, so I had the pleasure of watching how people interacted with the display. Throughout the day, curious Christians, Quakers, Permaculturists, Bread Bakers, Hippies, Footballers and (fill in the blank)s walked through to see the Buddhist relics. I watched as other people had extremely emotional responses to the blessings they received as the relics were held over their heads. I decided to personally receive a blessing as well, and I admit that I felt an intense state of inner peace. I also understand the placebo effect. I’m not willing to choose either one as an explanation—because there’s the beauty of it—I don’t have to. (Dualism is way overrated.)
Towards the end of my shift, I watched an elderly man tear up as he read a passage about forgiveness from the Golden Light Sutra. I knew in that moment that the wisdom had still been received, electronic lotus and all.
To try and preserve Buddhism or any other ancient wisdom in its original form risks widening the gap between the message and the audience, and one way to renew ancient wisdom is to accept the form it takes in the modern day. As I packed up my bag at the end of my shift, I went to say goodbye to one of the Monks who had been giving blessings earlier in the day. A huge smile appeared on my face when I saw her opposite the meditation room, typing away on her Mac.
Computers exist and so do human beings, so why not have compassion for both—it’s all about intention from here on. There is no going back in time.
(Thoughts? Responses? I’d love to hear them.)
