Wednesday, April 16, 2008

On the attraction to Buddhism

On the attraction to Buddhism

As a history geek, I was not aware of any attempt, ever, to spread Buddhism by force. I am also not aware of any significant attempts to enforce Buddhist “orthodoxy” by force.

Imagine, for example, an “enlightenment crusade”

“Accept the 8 fold path to end the cycle of death and rebirth or die and… be reborn!

Does not make much sense I think.

Imagine a Zen inquisition – saffron robed monks standing over a torture victim stretched on a rack screaming

“WHAT IS THE SOUND OF ONE HAND CLAPPING?”

“It is NOT NOTHING! Get Dick Cheney and we’ll water-board him!”

Somehow, I do not see that.