My 900-page letter

Did anyone ever send you a 900-page letter? Beautifully hand-printed on 8.5x11” sheets of loose-leaf notebook paper?

I once received such a "letter," although it didn't go through the US postal system. I shudder to think of the postage on something like that. No, David Ewald took the better part of a year composing this thing, and simply handed it to me when he finished. And the quality of his printing was as good on the last page as it was on the first page.

At the time, David and I had been members of the same Buddhist sect – the Soka Gakkai International – USA. He told me in advance that he decided to write this piece in an attempt to answer many of the questions about Buddhism that I had attempted to raise over the years. I had run my questions by David as well as by members at SGI-USA discussion meetings and numerous leaders within the organization.

My questions were either ignored or badly answered. David at least seemed to listen and try to process what I was saying. However, his oral responses were brief and largely unsatisfactory. Hence, his thought to try a prolonged written approach.

Word of David’s undertaking had become widely known by many of the SGI-USA members in our immediate circle. I was curious as to what this self-motivated scholar would come up with. David didn’t have an advanced academic degree; I doubt he had completed even a bachelor’s degree program. But his home library was huge, he was a voracious reader (for instance, having read all of Mark Twain's writings), and had even invented a coded language of his own to record thoughts he never intended to share with anyone else.

When David presented his 900-page letter to me, I read it immediately – taking about two months to plough though it. There was a lot of fascinating information on the history of cults in the USA, as well as an appreciable amount of Buddhist theory. BUT…for the most part, David didn’t even try to answer any of the questions I’d been posing for years. I didn’t have the heart to tell him this, since I knew he’d worked so hard on it.

I did thank him profusely for his efforts and I even spent the better part of a day making a photocopy of it, so he’d have a copy. He asked that I do this, and provided the money in advance so I could feed the photocopier. I even made up my mind to eventually re-read the manuscript and jot down points for us to disuss.

BUT…before that could happen, David Ewald passed away at the age of 69, seven years ago. I attended a farewell ceremony in his honor at the SGI-USA Cultural Center in Chicago, our home town. The gathering took place in a lovely, intimate space nick-named the Round Room. And there were maybe 200 members present. After we chanted and offered incense, a few of us took the mic to address the congregation.

When my turn came, I showed them the 900-page letter and explained why David had written this. And I heard a few “oohs” and “ahs” from those assembled. But I didn’t offer my opinion on the content, just saying it was rare these days for anyone to even consider undertaking such a project. And I was profoundly humbled that he'd do this for my sake.

After I finished speaking, the meeting came to an end after another speaker or two had offered their anecdotes and fond farewells. Most of us broke into small groups, just hanging around and chatting. To those few who walked up to me, wanting a closer look at David’s letter, I repeated my earlier statement about David having offered this in order to answer my religious, doctrinal questions. I was surprised when a long-time member, Dale Stankiewicz, interrupted by saying, “That should have shut him up.” [Meaning me.]

This wasn’t the first time Dale and I had crossed swords. When I was a member of the district he was in charge of (“District Chief”), on occasion I would ask a question or make a challenging statement. So Dale knew I wasn’t a member of blind-faith – far from it. For example, once, Dale told us about a fairly large sum of money he’d inherited recently. He considered that to be one benefit due to his decades of dedication to the organization and to the practice of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

He bristled when I suggested that he would have received this windfall without having practiced at all. Maybe, maybe not. It sounded too much like bragging about winning the lottery because he chanted.

In his own way, Dale was somewhat of a scholar – at least of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism as practiced by the SGI. That’s why I was surprised when, in a private conversation, he told me, “The word ‘daishonin’ in Japanese means ‘Buddha.’” I was too stunned to reply, as I should have, “No, the Japanese word for ‘Buddha’ is ‘butsu.’ ‘Daishonin’ means ‘great sage.’”

Dale’s words were spoken in answer to my question: “Why don’t we simply call him [the founder of our sect] Nichiren Buddha, if we really believe he’s a Buddha? Why do we stick with calling him ‘Daishonin?’”

So when Dale gave his inaccurate answer, he was either intentionally lying to me or he had suffered a momentary mental glitch. I suspect the former, since the translation of the word “Daishonin” is widely known among long-time members – and most new ones as well– as being “great sage.

Truly sad. But even sadder, since we have an obligation to study the Buddhist sutras and commentaries? Not one single member present at this gathering, including Dale, asked me, “May I borrow your letter – I’d like to read it?”

END NOTE:  I am sorry to report that I no longer have David Ewald’s letter. A former roommate of mine put it in a storage locker about five years ago. Last I heard, that letter probably ended up being destroyed. On the plus side, at least the copy I’d made for David survived and is part of his personal estate of 10,000 books he’d kept in his house.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steven Searle, just another member of the
Virtual Samgha of the Lotus and
former candidate for US President (in 2008 & 2012)

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

"Lost Stars" revisited

Introduction

On Aug. 26, I posted my comments on the meaning of  “Coming up Roses,” and “Lost Stars,” as sung by Keira Knightley in the movie, “Begin Again.” Today, I want to take another (and better) shot at “Lost Stars.”

My original post is on this link:

http://ind4prez2012.blogspot.com/2014/08/begin-again-buddhist-movie-starring.html

I am happy to report that “Begin Again” has been re-released in order to make it eligible for Academy Awards’ consideration. The soundtrack is being emphasized in the chase for an Oscar. However, I’m amazed that not one single reviewer mentioned the very-obvious Buddhist themes involved in these two songs - and in the movie itself. I think it would be more than worthwhile for the Weinstein Company (this movie's distributors) to “mention” these themes. That would give audiences a heads-up on what to look for as they watch the film and listen to the songs.

Next, I’m going to post the lyrics as sung by Keira Knightley, followed by my interpretations.

“Lost Stars”

(1) Please don't see just a girl caught up in dreams and fantasies.

(2) Please see me reaching out for someone I can't see.

(3) Take my hand, let's see where we wake up tomorrow.

(4) Best laid plans sometimes are just a one night stand.

(5) I'll be damned, Cupid's demanding back his arrow.

(6) So let's get drunk on our tears and

(7) God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.

(8) It's hunting season,

(9) and this lamb is on the run searching for meaning.

(10) But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

(11) Who are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy?

(12) 'Woe is me' if we're not careful turns into reality.

(13) Don't you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow.

(14) Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer.

(15) Turn the page, maybe we'll find a brand new ending.

(16) Where we're dancing in our tears and

(17) God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.

(18) It's hunting season,

(19) and this lamb is on the run, searching for meaning.

(20) But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

(21) I thought I saw you out there crying.

(22) I thought I heard you call my name.

(23) I thought I heard you out there crying.

(24) But just the same,

(25) God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.

(26) It's hunting season,

(27) and this lamb is on the run, searching for meaning.

(28) But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

(29) Are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

My Interpretations

Lines (1) and (2):

"Please don't see just a girl caught up in dreams and fantasies.

Please see me reaching out for someone I can't see."

Gretta is asking her boyfriend at the time, Dave Kohl, to see her as reaching out for the Buddha – “someone I can’t see.” To an outsider, unfamiliar with the Way, such a “reaching out” must appear to be “dreams and fantasies.” As I mentioned in my earlier post, her best friend Steve is responsible for Gretta trying to "reach out" for the Buddha.

Line (3):  “Take my hand, let's see where we wake up tomorrow.”

Attaining Enlightenment is sometimes called the Great Awakening. Gretta is inviting Dave to join her – “take my hand” – and see where this unpredictable journey will take them as they both pursue the Way.

Line (4): “Best laid plans sometimes are just a one night stand.”

In real life, a one-night stand could never be considered a “best laid plan.” So, saying that “best laid plans” are sometimes the equivalent (in outcome) to one night stands is an interesting way of criticizing our over-reliance on conventional thinking when it comes to how we should proceed in seeking personal growth. Sometimes being more open and spontaneous will yield a better result than good planning.

Line 5: “I'll be damned, Cupid's demanding back his arrow.”

“I’ll be damned” usually means “I’ll be shocked or surprised.” Gretta shouldn’t be “shocked/surprised” at Cupid’s demand – she should be grateful. If she’s really inviting Dave to join her in a quest for Enlightenment, the kind of smitten love implied by Cupid’s arrow would only get in the way. People can love each other and pursue the Way without the hindrance of being smitten.

In a more literal sense, both Dave and Gretta would “be damned” to a failure to make anything but a slow and tortuous spiritual progress if they should decide to keep Cupid’s arrow.

Lines (6) and (7):

“So let's get drunk on our tears and

God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.”

Getting drunk on emotions is what Cupid was hoping to prevent with his demand. But the path to Enlightenment takes into account the way we are, so indulging in emotion isn’t fatal to our search for Awakening. For most people, it’s absolutely necessary – though it does slow things down a bit.

The movie makes clear that God doesn’t talk to us. So in that sense, there might as well be no such thing as God. If, however, Gretta is hoping for some teacher to “tell us the reason,” she’ll be pleasantly disappointed – for “youth is NOT wasted on the young.” By means of pursuing appropriate Buddhist practice, it’s possible to have a second youth and a renewed body within one lifetime.

Lines (8) and (9):

“It's hunting season,

and this lamb is on the run searching for meaning.”

I see “this lamb is on the run” as being a positive and aggressive behavior in keeping with the motto, “It’s hunting season.”

Line (10): “But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?”

We only feel lost because we don’t fully comprehend the (karmic) forces that determine our location and our path of travel. Our mistake is in trying to “light up the dark” solely for our own benefit – so we’ll be less afraid of the dark. Having a desire to light up the dark for everybody’s sake will provide a guarantee of spiritual success. That’s the goal of the Buddhas – to totally eliminate darkness throughout the universe for everybody’s sake.

Lines (11) and (12):

“Who are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy?

'Woe is me' if we're not careful turns into reality.”

Without making any efforts for spiritual growth, that’s all each of us will remain – “a speck of dust.” Read line 12 with this definition of “careful” in mind: full of care, that is full of compassion.” If we lack caring and compassion for others, we will always only remain “a speck of dust.” However, those who cultivate compassion in their lives eventually become capable of moving entire galaxies and filling the heavens with their light, which is capable of saving others.

Line (13): “Don't you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow.”

As you progress spiritually, don’t be ashamed of your past. That past, coupled with your current determination to grow, will prove to be the fertile ground from which your Enlightenment will take root.

Line (14): “Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer.”

Join me, and you too will see such things. You will come to expect the unexpected.

Lines (15) and (16):

“Turn the page, maybe we'll find a brand new ending.

Where we're dancing in our tears…”

“Turn the page” could be read as “Turn over a new leaf.” Pages are sometimes referred to as “leaves of paper.” If we indeed “turn over a new leaf” – that is, diligently work on trying to change – we’ll definitely find a brand new ending. And that will cause us to “dance in our tears [of joy].” Dancing for joy in appreciation of how our efforts have borne fruit is a very prominent theme in the world of Buddhist practice.

Lines (21), (22), and (23):

“I thought I saw you out there crying.

I thought I heard you call my name.

I thought I heard you out there crying.”

By saying “I thought,” Gretta is understating what she saw and heard so as not to embarrass Dave. But she wants him to know she is aware of the personal anguish and shortcomings of which he himself might not even be consciously aware.

And this whole song is an invitation for him to join her so that, together, they might make that huge leap in personal satisfaction that most people only dream of.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * *

Steven Searle, just another member of the

Virtual Samgha of the Lotus and

Former Candidate for USA President (in 2008 & 2012)

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

The fault lies on your Gohonzon

I was so young then, back in 1974 when I received my Gohonzon as a new member of a layman's Buddhist group known today as the Soka Gakkai International (SGI). If I knew then what I know now, I would have immediately investigated exactly what was printed on this mandala...and what was omitted. These are important considerations that only recently I thought worthy of investigation.

Since the SGI (then and now) touted the Gohonzon as the most important single object in the Universe, my failure to ask about its inscriptions must rank as negligence of the highest degree. Had I done my due diligence back then, my conclusions would have been the same as they are now: The Gohonzon is flawed and is therefore unsuitable as a means for attaining Enlightenment.

To back up a bit, a Gohonzon is simply a piece of paper, measuring about 6x9 inches and bearing Chinese characters, which is glued to a slightly larger background paper which forms its border. All new members of the SGI's school of Buddhism receive their own personal Gohonzon, which looks like a scroll. When unrolled and mounted in a protective altar in my home, I was supposed to chant to this "Supreme Object of Worship." When some members objected to the word "worship," it later became known as the "Supreme Object of Devotion."

More precisely, the Gohonzon was meant to be considered as a mirror to be used in order to reflect back to you your own enlightened nature. It was not to be considered a "God” or a genie that could grant wishes.

So what's wrong with the Gohonzon?

What's wrong with the Gohonzon boils down to the narrow, nationalistic prejudices of Nichiren Daishonin, which I will detail below.

Here, I will refer only to what is known as the Nichikan-transcribed Gohonzon (the one given to all new SGI members) which is depicted on this link, which includes an interpretation of its various characters:

NOTE: I provide two links, just in case the one posted by the SGI mysteriously becomes unavailable, which it did recently. Not that I don't trust the SGI - but I'm just saying...

http://www.buddhastate.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gohonzon_map.pdf

http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/beginnersresources/diagramofgohonzon.php

The Gohonzon bears the name of a Japanese national known as Dengyo the Great (767-822), who founded a branch of T'ien-T'ai Buddhism in Japan. Also inscribed is the name of T'ien-t'ai the Great, aka Chih-i or Zhiyi, who lived in China (538-597 CE). Both of these men should be regarded as relative contemporaries of the monk known as Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282). It was Nichiren's unique and revolutionary brand of Buddhism that formed the foundation of what the SGI practices today.

The Bodhisattva Hachiman and the Sun Goddess Tensho-daijin are also listed on the Gohonzon. These two are very near and dear to Japanese hearts, which is why I suppose Nichiren included them on the Gohonzon. But far more telling to me are the names Nichiren omitted from the Gohonzon:

Bodhisattva Medicine King, Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound, Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World's Sounds, and Bodhisattva Universal Worthy.

Each of these four has an entire chapter of the Lotus Sutra dedicated to them - chapters 23, 24, 25, and 28, respectively. However, Dengyo, Chih-i, Hachiman, and Tensho-daijin aren't mentioned at all within its pages. Nichiren spent his entire life promoting the Lotus Sutra as the highest of Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings. And yet he omits from his Gohonzon these four names which figure so prominently in the Lotus Sutra.

Especially noteworthy is this exchange between Universal Worthy and Shakyamuni, as recorded in the Lotus's 28th chapter:

QUOTE:

“And after [Shakyamuni Buddha] has entered extinction, I [Bodhisattva Universal Worthy] will cause [the Lotus Sutra] to be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa and will see that it never comes to an end.”

To which Shakyamuni Buddha replied: “And I will employ my transcendental powers to guard and protect those who can accept and uphold the name of Bodhisattva Universal Worthy.”

:UNQUOTE.

Background info

I am going to highlight in yellow the language that bothers me within the following quoted material. Then I'll explain why in a separate section.

QUOTE:

[source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhiyi ]

Zhiyi (Chinese: 智顗; pinyin: zhì yǐ; Wade–Giles: Chih-I; Japanese: Chigi) (538–597 CE) is traditionally listed as the fourth patriarch, but is generally considered the founder of the Tiantai tradition of Buddhism in China. His standard title was Śramaṇa Zhiyi (Ch. 沙門智顗), linking him to the broad tradition of Indian asceticism. Zhiyi is famous for being the first in the history of Chinese Buddhism to elaborate a complete, critical and systematic classification of the Buddhist teachings. He is also regarded as the first major figure to make a significant break from the Indian tradition, to form an indigenous Chinese system.

:UNQUOTE.

QUOTE:

[source: http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/resources/gohonzon/diagramofgohonzon.php ]

#28:

Hachiman Dai Bosatsu (Great Bodhisattva Hachiman): One of the main deities in Japanese mythology, along with Tensho Daijin (Sun Goddess). There are several views concerning the question of how he came to be worshipped. According to one explanation, in the reign of the twenty-ninth emperor, Kimmei, the god Hachiman appeared as a smith in the southern part of Japan, and declared that in a past life he had been Emperor Ojin, the fifteenth emperor of Japan.

His aid was sought after his capacity as the god of smiths when the great image of Vairochana was erected at Todai-ji temple in Nara, and from that time on, Hachiman came to be more and more closely associated with Buddhism. Early in the Heian period (794-1185), the imperial court named him Great Bodhisattva, an early example of the fusion of Buddhist and Shinto elements.

In his writings, Nichiren views Hachiman as a personification of the function that promotes the agricultural fertility of a land whose inhabitants embrace the Law.

#31:

Tensho-daijin: The Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology, who was later adopted as a protective god in Buddhism. According to the oldest extant histories, the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), she was the chief deity and also the progenitor of the imperial clan. In many of his writings, Nichiren views the Sun Goddess as a personification of the workings that protect the prosperity of those people who have faith in the Law.

:UNQUOTE.

About those highlights

There is no such thing as Chinese Buddhism, and I couldn’t care less about any indigenous Chinese system. The teachings of buddhas are what I care about – not the commentaries or theses of the various scholars of antiquity. Sure, their views are interesting – to a point – but these men are not buddhas.

I also don’t care about the main deities of Japanese mythology. Focusing on such characters removes one from the larger world of the buddhas' truth and into the far smaller world of the tribalist. I also don’t care about the imperial Japanese court having decided who is and who is not a “Great Bodhisattva.” They are not qualified to make such decisions for me, especially since I am not Japanese.

I also don’t care about the Japanese Sun Goddess, but I do object that such a non-universally accepted figure appears on the Gohonzon, which is supposed to be for all mankind.

Conclusions

As far as I can tell, Nichiren was very much a patriot, a lover of his race and of his nation. He thought they were the best of the best among all who inhabited this planet. This contrasts very sharply with my own view – that nationalism is the greatest threat to world peace that exists today. I am proud to have followed in the footsteps of Shakyamuni Budhha, by having renounced my own citizenship. I was a natural-born citizen of the USA; now I am a citizen of the world.

Shakyamuni gave up his princely position and his country in order to lead everybody to enlightenment. Nichiren Daishonin would have done well to have followed that example himself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steven Searle, just another member of the

Virtual Samgha of the Lotus and

Former Candidate for USA President (in 2008 & 2012)

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

"Begin Again," a Buddhist movie starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo

My Thesis:

"Begin Again" is a very Buddhist movie, but in a stealth kind of way. There were two songs in particular in this movie which I will analyze to prove my point. I will provide the lyrics to each, but will only number most of the lines. Then I will follow the lyrics with my analysis.

But first, give these songs a listen using these links. They're simply beautiful:

This first is a bouncy little tune called "Coming up Roses:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sTyhogCeog

The second is quite the opposite - very poignant: "Lost Stars:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLTRSakuugs

Disclaimer: I don't mind admitting I was very smitten with this movie, having seen it three times in one week at the local theater.

The primary characters:

• Keira Knightley as Gretta, an amateur but talented songwriter and soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend of Dave Kohl, who's a recording artist about to hit it big by recording an album based on music he'd recorded for a successful movie.

• Mark Ruffalo as Dan Mulligan, record company exec who is "instrumental" in recording an album based on the lyrics written by Gretta. His knack for orchestration adds a huge musical sophistication to Gretta's powerful lyrics.

• Adam Levine as Dave Kohl.

• James Corden as Steve, Gretta's best friend who has been living in New York as a struggling musician when Gretta looks him up upon her arrival.

"Coming up Roses"

"Coming Up Roses," sung by Keira Knightley

(1) When you were asleep

(2) And I was out walking,

(3) The voices started to speak

(4) And they wouldn't stop talking.

(5) There were signs all around,

(6) It really got my mind racing.

(7) You were right all along

(8) Something's gotta change

(9) Hold on, Hold on, they're not for me.

(10) Hold on, cause everything's coming up...roses...roses.

(11) Now we're back on the street,

(12) For a song that's worth singing.

(13) The bloody nose of defeat,

(14) While your victory bell's ringing.

(15) My whole life's turned around

(16) For this thing you keep chasing.

(17) You were right all along,

(18) But it's me who's got to change.

(19) Hold on, Hold on, they're not for me.

(20) Hold on, Cause everything's coming up...roses.

(Hold on, Hold on) Aaahhh

(Hold on, Hold on) Aaahhh

(Hold on, Hold on) (Hold on, Hold on) Aaahhh

(Hold on, Hold on) Aaahhh (Hold on, Hold on) Aaahhh

(Hold on, Hold on)

Hold on, Hold on, they're not for me.

Hold on, cause everything's coming up... Roses.

(21) (Everything's coming up roses, Everything's coming up roses,

(22) Hold on, Hold on) Roses (Hold on, Hold on, Everything's coming up,

(23) Hold on, Hold on, Everything's coming up,

(24) Hold on, Hold on) Roses (Hold on, Hold on)...

(25) Roses

My thoughts:

Before my literal analysis, I just want to say that this bouncy, upbeat little tune was a breath of fresh air. Knightley's voice is perfect for this - she can carry a tune and has some nice flourishes but (as she admits) she's really not a singer and had to undergo some training to do what she did here. Still, her clear and confident rendering in an almost-girl-next-door way made this song very poignant.

Line 1: The "you" being referred to throughout this song is Gretta's best friend, Steve, at whose humble abode she crashes after walking out on her cheating boyfriend. In the movie, it's easy to regard Steve as somewhat of a clownish character who genuinely, unselfishly cares about Gretta. But as this song will show, he's deceptively far from that. The name "Steve" by the way means "crown, wreath, victorious." And the name "Gretta" means "pearl" or "child of light" - see Footnote 1.

Line 1: "When you were asleep" - even great teachers have to sleep sometime, which is when their assistants continue with the lessons - lines 3 & 4:

(3) The voices started to speak

(4) And they wouldn't stop talking.

So what were those voices actually saying? I think: "Trust this music exec who looks like a bum. He really seems to believe in you," and "it's you who has to change - so stop blaming the boyfriend who just cheated on you."

(5) There were signs all around,

(6) It really got my mind racing.

     As for these "signs," they could have been as leading and specific as in the movie "I Origins," when frequent and unusual occurrences of the number 11 lead Dr. Ian Gray to a billboard that, in turn, leads him to his wife of a former lifetime. Or these "signs" could simply have been the whole world suddenly looking like a much cheerier and hopeful place than it had seemed not so long ago.

Lines 7 & 8, and 17 & 18, summarized in line 18: "But it's me [Gretta] who's got to change."

    That's a huge Buddhist theme: "If you want your external circumstances to change - especially the negative things that come your way - you've got to change first (that is, become more enlightened)." Put another way: "All change starts from within."

Lines 9 & 10: "They're not for me" refers to the roses which represent Gretta's turn of fortune after she starts recording her album with Dan Mulligan's help. This is a bit complicated, so bear with me. Yes, in one sense, the roses are for her but they're a mixed blessing. Roses are beautiful but they have thorns - so one could say all earthly desires which are fulfilled (success, recognition, wealth) may be considered to be beautiful things but have downsides as well (thorns) unless the recipient of good fortune has "changed" as referred to in line 18.

When Gretta says, "They're not for me," she means, "They're not what I really long for." I think she really wants another kind of flower - the Lotus Flower, which is a Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. The roses are nice - most people would be ecstatic to see "everything's coming up roses" in their lives. But Gretta longs for a better, more meaningful flower in the form of the Lotus. This is explained in lines 15 & 16:

(15) My whole life's turned around

(16) For this thing you keep chasing.

This "thing you keep chasing" is Steve's persistent search for enlightenment, which he has tried over the years to share with Gretta. He succeeds when she claims, "My whole life's turned around [by the power of] this thing you keep chasing."

There's an interesting point in the movie when Steve is preparing a couch for Gretta to sleep on, and he asks her which end she wants the pillow placed. She's noncommittal, but I think it's important that he's that deferential to her and is trying to get her to think about such things. Most people don't think about this at all, but sleep positioning is very important.

Another interesting point is the odd positioning of Steve's own bed - it's so high up, he'd practically have to be able to fly to reach it (hmm, food for thought, since highly accomplished bodhisattvas are able to do exactly that, though he is wise enough not to give Gretta a demonstration, making up some barely plausible explanation as to how he manages to get to his bed).

[NOTE: Line 15 is unclear the way Gretta sings it, but the on-line sources all say it should read: "My whole life's turned around." But...those are the same sources that incorrectly render line (13), as I'm about to point out below.]

(11) Now we're back on the street,

(12) For a song that's worth singing.

     The "song that's worth singing" is this very song ("Coming up Roses") since it is so laden with meaning that can benefit so many people. They are "on the street" recording it with the band Dan has cobbled together. As for "Now we're back on the street," I think Steve, as a street musician in NYC, was also that back home in England. And he had coaxed Gretta back then, who really wasn't a performer, to join him to overcome her shyness.

(13) The bloody nose of defeat,

(14) While your victory bell's ringing.

     Gretta bears the "bloody nose of defeat" by having failed to see the immaturity of her ex-boyfriend, while Steve's "victory bell [is] ringing," by virtue of the fact that Gretta finally "gets it" - I've got to change. By the way, all of the on-line lyrics sources I checked render line (13) as "The blur that knows a defeat." But when listening to the song as it's performed in the movie (and on YouTube), what's really being sung is "The bloody nose of defeat."

[I just hate it when on-line sources don't get it right.]

Lines 20 through 24 (including the unnumbered lines) feature children singing (the parts in parentheses). In the movie, the children were innocent (wink, wink) bystanders who were nearby playing basketball so noisily that the quality of the recording of this song was threatened. So Dan walks over to negotiate with them - trying at first to bribe them with money and cigarettes. Then he asks them, "Say? Can you sing?" Next thing we see, the five or six kids are huddled around a microphone singing point/counterpoint with Gretta.

Of course, no 8- or 9-year-old child is going to be singing, with any kind of believable authority, "hold on" in the usual sense which means "hang in there." But they could well be reinforcing for Gretta her own wish to "hold on [to the hope of obtaining the Lotus Flower]."

(22) Hold on, Hold on) Roses (Hold on, Hold on, Everything's coming up,

(23) Hold on, Hold on, Everything's coming up,

    I thought it was a nice touch that the line "Everything's coming up" (sung by some of the kids) is interrupted by "Hold on, Hold on" (sung by the other kids). This is an elegant way of saying "hold on" for the Lotus Flowers, that it shouldn't automatically be assumed that "everything" that comes up will only be roses.

As a Buddhist, I saw those children as being protective entities who "happened" to be playing basketball but were really there in support of Steve's mission to help his best friend.

Line (25): "Roses" This is spoken by Gretta almost sadly, as if saying, "Roses aren't good enough."

I walked away from this bouncy little tune thinking, "Gretta's going to be alright."

"Lost Stars"




UPDATE: This link has a far better interpretation of "Lost Stars," but I won't delete this earlier material (below) since it has some merit:

http://ind4prez2012.blogspot.com/2014/09/lost-stars-revisited.html

"Lost Stars," - the version sung by Keira Knightley, though Adam Levine also sang a version in the movie - with almost-but-not-quite the same lyrics (which turns out to be important). 

(1) Please don't see just a girl caught up in dreams and fantasies.

(2) Please see me reaching out for someone I can't see.

(3) Take my hand, let's see where we wake up tomorrow.

(4) Best laid plans sometimes are just a one night stand.

(5) I'll be damned, Cupid's demanding back his arrow.

(6) So let's get drunk on our tears and

(7) God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.

(8) It's hunting season,

(9) and this lamb is on the run searching for meaning.

(10) But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

(11) Who are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy?

(12) 'Woe is me' if we're not careful turns into reality.

(13) Don't you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow.

(14) Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer.

(15) Turn the page, maybe we'll find a brand new ending.

(16) Where we're dancing in our tears and

(17) God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.

(18) It's hunting season,

(19) and this lamb is on the run, searching for meaning.

(20) But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

(21) I thought I saw you out there crying.

(22) I thought I heard you call my name.

(23) I thought I heard you out there crying.

(24) But just the same,

(25) God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.

(26) It's hunting season,

(27) and this lamb is on the run, searching for meaning.

(28) But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

(29) Are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

My thoughts:

I was amazed to learn that songwriting credit for this piece was shared by four different people. That must have been some fine-toothed comb they used when crafting these lyrics.

This song is "our song" - that is, written by Gretta for her boyfriend before their breakup in the States, back when they were living in England. So this song predates "Coming up Roses."

There's a lot in this song that is just lyrically fantastic, but lines (28) and (29) gave me pause:

(28) But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

(29) Are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

This might be the scientist within me speaking, but there is no such thing as a "lost star." All of the stars in the heavens are where they are supposed to be due to strict and inviolable laws of physics. Now, anyone who's read Stanislaw Lem's "Solaris" - which features a planet with a will of its own that can violate its orbital path supposedly "dictated" by its proximity to a twin star system - will disagree with me. So I will admit this much: If a star has a will, then it can end up "lost." Otherwise, it's where it's supposed to be due to factors it has no will nor power to control.

Also, stars don't "try...to light up the dark." They merely give off their light, which (over time) reduces their substance until they are a much-reduced shell of their former selves.

However, if Steve is able to share with Gretta the Buddhist "bible" known as "The Lotus Sutra," she will read about the Buddha being able to emit a beam of light from between his eyebrows which lights up 18,000 Buddha worlds in the eastern direction, making visible to the Great Assembly all of the activities taking place there and allowing them to hear all of the words being spoken in all of those places.

That is what an Enlightened One can do - which Gretta and any other seeker of the Way can also do, as revealed in "The Lotus Sutra." With one important difference: Giving off light depletes a star, whereas the light given off by a Buddha, which helps to enlighten others, doesn't "deplete" the Buddha at all.

Line 2: "Please see me reaching out for someone I can't see." Of course, she can "see" her boyfriend Kohl, but not entirely - not for all of what he is, which includes the weakness that made him cheat on her later.

Line (5): "I'll be damned, Cupid's demanding back his arrow."

     Judging by how their relationship ended, looks like Cupid was on to something here, seeing what Gretta couldn't see. Looks like Cupid was acting in the role of a Buddhist protective entity. Gretta's response? Line (6): "So let's get drunk on our tears..." Tears blind people, but sometimes people in love (or who are heavily infatuated) prefer such blindness. Much to their later sorrow.

Line (9): "and this lamb is on the run searching for meaning."

     Adam Levine's version is "and the lambs are on the run..." He pluralizes "lambs" and, I think, removes himself from their group. His version of this song and hers are as different as night and day. He goes into vocal acrobatics toward the end trying to wow an adoring audience, while to her this song is something highly personal. Tell you what: If my girlfriend had written this song for me, I'd have a lot of questions to ask and praises to offer.

(8) It's hunting season,

(9) and this lamb is on the run searching for meaning.

     It's a nice touch to see such a role-reversal - for lambs to be doing the hunting. And the "hunting" isn't to end in a killing but in an obtaining of meaning.

(14) Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer.

(15) Turn the page, maybe we'll find a brand new ending.

If you saw a lion kiss a deer - even if only in your mind - then you're quite the visionary. But as for finding a brand new ending, you can't just "turn the page" - you've got to write that ending yourself. That's what "Coming up Roses" meant in its line, "But it's me who's got to change." If you just "turn the page," you'll only find the ending that someone else wrote.

Final note:

I was glad to see that this movie ranked #73 for the year. Too bad the POS called "The Expendables 3" came in at #57, but what are you gonna do? The battle against bad taste, though, will become more winnable if more movies like "Begin Again" appear on the scene. Stats are according to Box Office Mojo, as of today (8/26/14)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steven Searle, Just another member of the

Virtual Samgha of the Lotus and

Former Candidate for USA President (in 2008 & 2012)

Footnotes:

Footnote 1:

Ancient Persians thought that pearls were formed when oysters came to the water’s surface to look at the moon, and a drop of dew formed in their shells which was turned to pearl by the moon's beams. This romantic story has given the meaning ‘Light's Creation’ to the names [Gretta/Greta]:

http://www.babynames.co.uk/meaning_origin_name_Greta.htm

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

Reprimanding Nichiren Daishonin

Introduction

I so badly wanted today's essay to be perfect. So I delayed writing it for weeks in order to give it more and more thought. But I came to realize that I cannot achieve the perfection I seek in this version which I decided to post today. So I'll call it a first draft, just so I can at least give you something to ponder. I might end up rewriting it, perhaps many times, in the name of seeking the perfection I desire. Or maybe I'll just leave you with this version, warts and all, hoping you will be able to see what I'm driving at.

I hate doing that, though, since I think it's a writer's job to get it right. Why should you, the reader, be burdened with trying to figure out “what I'm driving at?” If I can't make my points – all of them – as clear as possible, then I feel I have failed you. However, if I don't at least start with this “first draft,” then I will truly have failed you. I don't have the luxury of time, since my oncologist says I am dying of liver cancer. The longer I wait, the greater the chance that I'll lose whatever powers of explication I have left.

So, for better and worst, I offer you this version.

So, what is “this version?”

This version is a fictitious letter to Nichiren, a Buddhist monk who lived in Japan from his birth there until his death – from 1222 to 1282. Nichiren himself was one of the most prolific writers whoever lived, in his capacity as the founder of a what has become a group of religious sects still in existence today. Many of his writings are still with us, consisting of various treatises and letters to his disciples.

Nichiren received letters, so I'm styling today's posting as such a letter from “Anonymous.” I'll explain why within the letter itself. But right now, I'll explain why I think Nichiren and my letter to him should be regarded by a larger audience. In the realm of religious affairs, there are few leaders and many followers, some of whom make exaggerated claims on behalf of those leaders. And certainly there is a lot of charlatanism and pretension in this realm.

It is my hope that you will be able to discern certain universal points I'm trying to make, even though you yourself might not know much about Nichiren's Buddhism or, for that matter, about any other kind of Buddhism. But within all faith traditions, there are leaders and there are followers. And some of these followers try to become leaders themselves by “interpreting” what the founding leaders had to say. It is these mantle-assuming followers who I fear the most and who I believe pose a huge threat to the sacred spirituality of the many. This threat is looming so large these days, I feel it must be vigorously opposed or else world peace itself might be threatened.

In that spirit, I offer the following letter - “Reprimanding Nichiren.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Reprimanding Nichiren

I address this to you, Nichiren, called by your followers “Daishonin” [Great Sage], whom I have never met. You don't know me and in fact we have never met face to face. I was, however, one of those who happened to hear your first sermon concerning the Fundamental Law of the Universe which you claim to have discovered – Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This is known as the Daimoku or Great Invocation, the chanting of which you promote as the most profound of Buddhist practices. I was in the background, out of your line of sight, though I caught an occasional glimpse of you as you spoke. Perhaps you also had caught a glimpse of me. But my point is, we are not personally known to each other in any discernible way.

You claimed that this Law is implicit within the pages of the Lotus Sutra*, the Buddha's greatest sermon. But I couldn't help but notice some disturbing aspects of your presentation. When Shakyamuni Buddha revealed the Lotus Sutra to his audience in ancient India, he manifested his supernatural powers – powers which all buddhas are said to possess. When you spoke, I saw no such manifestations.

Shakyamuni Buddha addressed a Great Assembly of accomplished and profound disciples. You addressed a rather ordinary, non-descript group of villagers, only some of whom were more than passingly aware of the major concepts of Mahayana Buddhism.

When Shakyamuni Buddha presented the Lotus Sutra to the world, Many Treasures Buddha appeared in his magnificent Treasure Tower to bear witnesss to the truth of his words. When you presented Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to this small group of villagers, Many Treasures was nowhere to be found. The Lotus Sutra states**:

“...if there are those who preach the Lotus Sutra, this treasure tower will in all cases come forth and appear in their presence, and [Many Treasures Buddha's] complete body will be in the tower, speaking words of praise and saying, 'Excellent, excellent!'”

Since Many Treasures Buddha did not appear, I can only conclude that whatever you were preaching was NOT the Lotus Sutra, even though you claim that your Law is hidden within its pages. At this point, it would be useful to emphasize: “There is no such thing as the Daimoku Sutra, unless you want to claim that your various writings (commentaries, actually) should be considered as this Sutra.” However, since you are not a Buddha***, that would be quite a claim. I duly note that you, at least so far, have not done what all buddhas do – bestow predictions of the attainment of Buddhahood on selected disciples within their entourage.

Perhaps others think of you as a Buddha or perhaps future disciples will try to make that claim on your behalf. But you know and I know that such claims would be false, though perhaps well-intended. What we both know is what you freely admit – you are from a chandala family. Your father was a lowly fisherman who had once held a minor position as a government official. But he fell from grace and was reduced to ensnaring fish for a living. Not only for his living, but for yours as well. And you'd never overcome the shame of this fall from grace. Living in a society that treasures status and maintaining face, you couldn't help but be affected by your father's decline of fortune.

But an opportunity came your way – a chance to obtain an education at the local Buddhist temple. You were young, eager, and had a quick and able mind. You learned to read. You learned to debate, by which means you saw that even the mightiest of men could be felled by the power of well-thrusted words. So you prayed to become the wisest man in Japan. I wonder, though, if you sought wisdom in order to lead others to self-fulfillment. Or if you sought wisdom to enable you to lord over others.

I would have been far more impressed if, instead, you had prayed to become the most compassionate man in Japan. But I suppose wisdom is a more universally appreciated quality among the men of influence in this country whom you'd hoped to impress. And impressing men in power can be very satisfying to those who hail from a chandala background, wouldn't you say?

Regarding your Gohonzon

One of your most cherished contributions to humanity is a great mandala known as the Gohonzon or the Supreme Object of Worship. This object is composed of written Chinese characters painted (in sumi ink) on either a paper or a wooden surface, and is activated by means of an “eye-opening” ceremony. And of this, you had written: “I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi ink, so believe in the Gohonzon with your whole heart.”

I have objections to certain aspects of your Gohonzon, which prevent me from embracing it as a suitable object of worship. Down the center of the Gohonzon appear, in lettering more prominent than those not in the center, the words “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.” Under those words, in lettering of equal size and prominence, is your name – Nichiren.

Some might view this positioning as symbolic of you upholding the Law. However, I would have felt more comfortable if you had painted the word “Buddhas” instead of your name in particular. Or, even better, “Teachers of the Law” - for Buddhas aren't the only ones who preach the Lotus Sutra (of which you claim the Daimoku is its essence).

The eleventh chapter of the Lotus Sutra states, “If one upholds this [sutra], one will be upholding the Buddha's body.” However, it is worthy of note that not only is the Buddha's body upheld by his disciples, sometimes the Buddha upholds his disciples as mentioned in Chapter 10.

“...the people who read and recite the Lotus Sutra...they are borne upon the shoulders of the [buddha].”

Buddhist practice is very much a two-way street. It's not just a matter of lowly, unworthy disciples fawning over a buddha, of which there are untold trillions. So the fact that you saw fit to place your name under the fundamental law of the universe is bothersome to me. The implication is that you have this unique relationship with the Law, which no buddha has ever claimed.

Your name is prominently displayed in large characters, but the names of the buddhas Shakyamuni and Many Treasures are displayed in much smaller characters. This seems disrespectful – even arrogant.

I also noticed that you include on your Gohonzon the name of a fellow Japanese national known as Dengyo the Great. But absent from the Gohonzon is any mention of Bodhisattva Universal Worthy, who is the subject of the last chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which includes these words:

“And after [Shakyamuni Buddha] has entered extinction, I [Bodhisattva Universal Worthy] will cause [the Lotus Sutra] to be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa and will see that it never comes to an end.”

To which Shakyamuni Buddha replied: “And I will employ my transcendental powers to guard and protect those who can accept and uphold the name of Bodhisattva Universal Worthy.”

Not only is Universal Worthy the subject of the last chapter of the Lotus Sutra, he is the subject of the so-called “Closing Sutra” which follows the Lotus. This Closing Sutra is called, “Sutra on How to Practice Meditation on Bodhisattva Universal Worthy,” which contains these words of Shakyamuni Buddha:

“...for the sake of living beings of ages to come who wish to practice the unsurpassed Law of the great vehicle, and who wish to study the practice of Universal Worthy and to carry out Universal Worthy's practice, I will now explain the method that they should hold in mind.”

From the words in these preceding paragraphs, you can see that Shakyamuni Buddha holds the bodhisattva Universal Worthy in great esteem. Yet, you don't – at least not to the extent of including his name on your Gohonzon. This is a slight I cannot forgive.

I thought of an improvement in the layout of your Gohonzon, should any of your future disciples decide that there exists a oneness, an integration, of you and the Law. Your name should not appear under the Daimoku, but should instead appear in one of two formats:

As a tiny character superimposed on or proximate to the character “Myo” or as a number of tiny characters so displayed on or near the entire Daimoku. The idea of the latter is, of course, an allusion to the idea that a buddha can manifest buddhas that are numerous (actually, infinite) emanations of himself.

The whole idea of “object of worship” is rather fluid. For me, the object of worship is the printed version of the Lotus Sutra from which I read aloud on a daily basis. For the disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha who lived when he did, the object of worship was his face upon which they focused and would not for a moment look away.

And there was a time when Shakyamuni, before he attained enlightenment and while he lived as a great king, said, “Who can expound the great vehicle for me? To the end of my life I will be his provider and servant!” This offer, appearing in the Devadatta Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, is followed by these words:

“At that time there was a seer who came to the king and said, 'I have the great vehicle text called the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law. If you will never disobey me, I will expound it for you.”

At this point, this seer (who was an incarnation of Devadatta) became this king's object of worship in a manner of speaking. Which is interesting, since Devadatta later tried to kill Shakyamuni Buddha when they lived in ancient India those thousands of years ago.

The Daimoku

You make much of the “fact” that Shakyamuni Buddha doesn't explicitly identify the fundamental law of the universe by which all buddhas attain enlightenment. Since, however, you acknowledge the Lotus Sutra as the greatest of sutras, you are forced to claim that Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (not to mention the Gohonzon) is implicitly revealed in the Lotus.

However, when you revealed to the world this most profound Law, what have you really given to us? The word “nam” simply means “devotion” – no mystery there, since it is well known that enlightenment is obtained by means of a devotion to lengthy and well-defined practice.

The word “Renge” means “cause and effect.” This is the basic law of karma which, to your amazement, had been developed by the Chinese teacher Tientai into a doctrine he called the mutual possesion of the ten worlds. This is his contribution, not yours, and is the subject of his commentaries which are not the equivalent of a buddha's sutras.

The word “kyo” refers to “sutra.” So the only word which even remotely connects to this Law you've “revealed” is “myoho” which means Mystic Law. However, to call something a “mystic law” is not the same as telling us what that Law is.

There is a sutra which precedes the Lotus, though is mentioned favorably within its pages, which refers to the doctrine of immeasurable meanings. This is the idea that there is one single Law from which all of the other laws or teachings of the buddhas are derived. However, note carefully: This Law is treated by the Buddha as subordinate to the Law revealed in the Lotus.

However, the Law of Immeasurable Meanings and the Law revealed in the Lotus have at least one thing**** in common: “Only between one buddha and another can it be fully comprehended.” This tells me that there is no one single buddha who can stand alone in his understanding. And that seems to be a confirmation of the well-known doctrine of dependent origination. When these thoughts occurred to me, I was stunned and unable to believe. I'm still struggling and vow to attain full understanding of this amazing assertion.

As for the source of immeasurable meanings, my best guess is that the Void is this source. The buddha taught that all phenomenon are to be regarded as being “like” empty space. I think he was trying to tell us that that's exactly where all phenomenon come from. And I suppose that makes a certain amount of sense, in that there's more empty space in the universe than anything else. By meditating fiercely on the Void, we can see all the possible variations of material existence. But...we're supposed to ignore these or else our quest to transcend them will be overwhelmed by an overabundance of irrelevant detail.

Conclusion

Your emphases on the Gohonzon and the Daimoku serve to give focus to the practice of sincere laymen who wish to pursue the buddha way. However, ultimately this focus only serves to cause believers to reject significant portions of the Lotus Sutra in favor of your own writings, which have come to be treated as superior to the words of the buddha by your disciples.

For this, all good intentions aside, you must be severely reprimanded.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steven Searle, just another member of the

Virtual Samgha of the Lotus and

Former Candidate for President of the USA

(in 2008 & 2012)

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

Footnotes:

Lotus Sutra*

     All references to the Lotus Sutra are to a work entitled, “The Lotus Sutra and its Opening and Closing Sutras,” translated by Burton Watson, and published and copyrighted in 2009 by the Soka Gakkai.

states**

     on page 210

since you are not a Buddha***

     Nichiren never claimed to be a buddha, in fact referring instead to when in the future he hoped to attain Enlightenment.

one thing****

     The following quote appears on page 18.