Modern Koans – Why Right Intention?

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 Intention?

On the heals of the previous post on Right View, I want to talk about Right Intention.  This step is the second and final element of the Wisdom part of the path.  It deals with how we discipline the mind in order to realize freedom from suffering. Wikipedia offers this OK definition:

And what is right resolve? Being resolved on renunciation, on freedom from ill will, on harmlessness: This is called right resolve. – Wikipedia

I’d recommend applying questions like the ones I asked in the post on Right View. Are we being asked to toe an ideological line, or are we being challenged to examine our thoughts in an effort to uncover the true nature of mind? Of course I feel it’s  the latter. Otherwise, this ornery man would not entertain being a Buddhist.

One could certainly use this ideal to pacify resistance to the prevailing social order, thus preserving the institutions in power.  Are wholesome actions (which presumably arise from right intention) always pacifistic?  Is harmlessness the same as inertia? Nothing could be further from the truth.  Buddhism is called the Stream Enterers path, because we are asked to fight the prevailing currents to seek the truth. Lodro Rinzler put it well.

Please Don’t Start Meditating (Unless You’re Willing to Change) – Lodro Rinzler

Free Will?

Another interesting challenge here is the issue of free will and responsibility.

Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.
– Mahatma Gandhi

The Vedic traditions seem to adopt a causal chain that relies on intention, belief, and thoughts.  So it seems clear that they acknowledge free will.  But do they? If we are to adopt the principle of not-self (antaman) then who is responsible for whose actions? This is all very fuzzy and requires intense examination.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Get Each Week's Modern Koan in your email box

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