Modern Koans – Why Right View?

Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important then their answers.

The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton

 

The Eightfold Path Series

This is the one of several posts I will be offering titled the Eightfold Path Series. As I've reflected on my experience, I've come to see the Path as both the practice and the fruition. As we inch closer to realization of our true nature, we discover that the wisdom, ethics, and concentration prescribed in the Buddha are the most natural expression of our being.

John Daido Loori Roshi's book Invoking Reality was transformational for me. In it Roshi turns the path on it's head in a way that uncovers it's challenge to us. The path and the precepts are not rules and regulations that lead to punishment by the karmic cosmos, but a way for us to see our true selves by looking through the prism of these personal dimensions. I see the path  and the precepts as questions, not rules.  Let's explore them.

Why Right View?

Belief is an interesting thing.  The western Judeo-Christian religions are described as the first to require an adherent to believe.  Prior to Judaism ritual sacrifice served the function of pleasing the God(s) to ensure favorable conditions for survival – fertility, rain, crops, defeat of an enemy, etc. Abraham was asked by Yaweh to sacrifice his son Isaac. When he was about to kill Isaac, the angel of God stopped him at the last minute, saying “now I know you fear God.”   With the God of Abraham there is a transition from ritual sacrifice to faith, most dramatically in Christ. There is also a change in function, from meeting the practical survival needs in this life, to the promise of reward in an afterlife. In Christianity and Islam, salvation comes through belief that Christ is savior or that Mohammed is the last prophet.

Detractors of western religion point to this as its flaw. Directed by people interested in power, it has become a tool to control people.  Marx described religion as the opiate of the people.  When a religion conditions people to a belief system that is detached from evidence, they become susceptible to control by the wicked. Rev. Jim Jones, The Branch Davidians of Waco Texas, and the Heavens Gate groups serve as examples of how this can end in tragedy.

In the face of this concern, I want to examine the first step in the Buddhist Eightfold Path – Right View. Unfortunately it sounds very similar to the faith requirement of western religions and frankly one of the things that left me cold to Christianity. Is Right View another faith allegiance?

Right view (samyag-dṛṣṭi / sammā-diṭṭhi) can also be translated as “right perspective”, “right outlook” or “right understanding”. – Wikipedia

The entire Eightfold Path is tightly integrated.  Each element informs the others.  Explanations are often complex, so I’ll do my best to keep it straightforward.  To  start, I’d offer a summary that the Buddha offered near  his death.

All that I teach is suffering and the end of suffering – The Buddha

In this context, I’ll use, as a means of explanation, the Three Dharma Seals – impermanence, non-self, and nirvana – as an umbrella construct to characterize what Right View means. The Seals are said to be a test for authenticity of a teaching.  If someone expounding Buddhism says anything that contradicts these three principles, you can reject what they are saying. In essence you can say that it does not reflect Right View.

Impermanence – All compound things decay.  They arise out of other things, like the flower from a seed. All things decay. They transition on to other things, like soil and  nutrients for the next generation.

Non Self – When we deeply examine who we are we realize that we too are impermanent;  subject to birth, illness,aging, and death.  Everything about us changes, including our bodies, our minds, character, and personality. Suffering arises when we believe and act in contradiction to this facts.

Nirvana – We can realize an end to suffering when we act in accordance with the world  as it is.  When we free ourselves from beliefs contradictory to natures observed characteristics, we can reduce our suffering.   When we free ourselves from deluded views of our own nature, we can reduce our suffering. The knowledge that each person and thing is precious in its frailty brings about a deep appreciation for this life. When we act in accordance to impermanence, we can find love, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

I have argued that there is faith  in Buddhism, but I’m careful to define what I mean by this faith.  In my  mind faith  is something that develops with repeated confirmation. For instance, I have faith that the sun will rise in the east. Perhaps I should adjust my language and use the word confidence. Right View (perspective, outlook, or understanding) is one that conforms to our experience in nature.  It comes with a litmus test – the need for evidence.

At least that’s how it’s described in the Sutras.

So is Right View a belief or faith allegiance?

Is Right View the same as faith other religions?

Is Buddhism just another institution that is subject to abuse of power, through enforcing belief and offering rewards that can’t be verified?

In its correct form I would argue that Buddhism is not subject to these failings.  But in practice I must admit that all of these things happen. What’s your view of the house that Buddha built?

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