As I journey down this road less traveled, seeking the
spiritual life, I venture into a place unknown by my friends and loved ones.
Living in a Judeo-Christian nation, teachers and followers of the Buddha Dharma
are a rarity. Living in a small Texas town, there are no Guru's or temples to
visit for instruction.
I do not personally know any true "Buddhist
practitioners" nor, to my knowledge, have I met any. Some might say that a
solitary study of the Buddha Dharma is a hindrance, or possibly even a problem,
but I do not see it that way.
The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is said to have reached
enlightenment after a six year journey on his own, at the age of 35. It is my
understanding that on the path to enlightenment Siddhartha learned and
studied with religious seekers from a variety of religions, none of them
"Buddhist."
Eventually, upon reaching enlightenment, Shakyamuni Buddha
was able to share and explain the Dharma that he had learned to his companions
and family, rapidly gathering a multitude of disciples.
Despite these difficulties, I am extremely grateful for the
tools that I do have, though I still wish I had more free time. Living in
modern American society, and having a full time job, leaves very
little time for religious study and meditation.
I began my journey on the internet, reading on Buddhist
websites and listening to free downloads of Dharma lectures. As my thirst for
knowledge grew, so did my sources. A radio commercial for the local used book
store, advertising twenty percent off already low prices, directed me to a new
source of affordable study materials.
I now take great joy in, and look forward to, spending my
spare moments deep in the study of these materials. I feel as if I have come a
very long way since taking on my first five precepts. Since I have no
traditional sangha to guide and assist me in my practice, I feel that it is my
duty to hold myself to a very high moral standard.
When a student who is involved in a more traditional, communal, study
of the Dharma teachings decides to commit themselves to living a life
based on the Buddha's teachings - by taking refuge in the three jewels
(Buddha, Dharma, & Sangha) and taking on the first five precepts -
there is often a small ceremony, similar to a baptism, where a new
"Buddhist name" is given.
I don’t see anything wrong with my solitary studies. In fact, I believe
this solitude has played an instrumental part in my development of an unbiased practice,
forcing me to truly question and test out the subjects of my studies, allowing me
to draw my own conclusions about the teachings.
Lessons and sanghas come in many shapes and forms. I have heard, in
sermons, that the Buddha said something to the effect of "anything that
leads to enlightenment, take it as my Dharma." I am paraphrasing, but the message was clear to me.
There is another quote hat I hold near to my heart - “People take different roads seeking fulfillment
and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean
they’ve gotten lost.” - Dalai Lama XIV.
As I hike along through the mountains of my Dharma journey it is
apparent that my path is not well traveled. As I push forward, cutting
away at the overgrown weeds in my own mind, I have no fear. This is my road, but I am not entirely alone.
Someone very close to me, who is definitely not a Buddhist,
has actually been a huge help in pushing me to pursue “putting my Dharma where
my mouth is” with constant reminders like, “Don’t talk about it - be about it.”
This person’s paradoxical tendencies are always intriguing to
me. A unique personality, layered with innate Buddha like wisdom, but this
vessel simultaneously houses a very non-Buddha like temperament. A living embodiment of Yin and Yang - he is my sangha, and my
guru.
With joy, I chuckle to myself. "In such an unlikely place. . . My Temperamental Buddha.”
