Happy Easter and Passover to all those who celebrate! Although I am Catholic, I attended Good Friday mass at an Episcopalian church and today, I will be attending meditation practice at a Buddhist Sangha (spiritual community).
I have a very open mind when it comes to religion and spirituality. Raised Catholic, I received my sacraments in the Catholic Church, except for my marriage sacrament, which I received in a wonderfully welcoming Methodist church because the Catholic church my husband and I hoped to marry in was disappointingly difficult and unfriendly to work with. Before Christmas I attended the Episcopalian church for the first time and found the sense of community and touch of informality incredibly refreshing compared to the rigidity of the traditional Catholic services I was used to.
Several years ago on assignment from a Comparitive Religions course at Saint Joseph’s University, I chose to visit the Buddhist Sangha. I had no idea what to expect and was quite nervous, but with a tinge of excitement, too at experiencing something brand new. The sparse website instructed me to arrive 15 minutes early. During a brief introduction all those years ago, I would receive my first meditation lesson from an English scientist who practiced Buddhism. And in the basement of a Unitarian church, where the Sangha meets every Sunday evening, I would practice meditation for the first time. Although I felt incredible afterward, it would be years before I would practice again…
When I set out on this journey to become a more compassionate and gentler person, I had no backpack full of tools and books, nor any advance training. My anger and frustration was snuffing out my life so in one last act of desperation I walked out the door and started down this path with nothing more than a desire to change. It wasn’t until I had begun my journey that I began to recognize tools, pick up books, really listen to those who lived the life I wanted for myself, and start canceling out some of the noise. The constant path that weaved along mine, intersecting here and there freely, has been the path of Buddhism. Cracking the nut on my suffering, allowing the light in, has been the start of my awakening.
Contrary to popular belief, Buddhism is not a “religion” by the common application of the word; it is a living tradition. Buddhism is a practice. By practicing Buddhism, one practices compassion, acceptance, kindness and meditation in an effort to end suffering.
Two weeks ago I visited the Mongkoltepmunee Buddhist Temple in Bensalem, PA. Again, I was nervous, but excited. The website was sparse and terribly outdated. I knew there would be Tak Bart (almsgiving) so in my research I learned that meant I was to bring food to offer to the monks.
Walking into the Temple felt as if I had left the West. The gold statues of Buddha, the altars and flowers, the monks in their bright orange robes… Not one word of the entire four hour service was in English, and yet I felt welcome, just like I did when visiting the Sangha for the first time.
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| The Altar at the Mongkoltepmunee Buddhist Temple |
The day before I visited the Temple, I was in Philadelphia near my favorite Cathedral, The Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, where I attended mass almost weekly when my Mom was battling cancer. I knelt before Mary in the alcove dedicated to her and prayed.
As I knelt before a statue of Buddha the very next day (before the communal [and free] lunch comprised of the copious left-overs from the offerings to the monks), the contrast was not lost on me, nor was the similarity. In both cases, I knelt before a symbol of someone whom I revere and expressed my gratitude and prayed for guidance and blessings for my loved ones. (Kneeling before Buddha I also apologized for having no idea how to “pray” to him. I like to believe he found the whole thing humorous.)
There are so many similarities. At the beginning of Lent, it struck me that I was also in the midst of another 40 day long tradition, empowering my mala with my mantra. At mass on Friday, the Bishop delivered a wonderful sermon about the four pillars of faith. When he spoke of prayer, he explained that prayer is not talking, but listening. It is about paying attention, he said, being present and seeing what needs to be done. There he was, an Episcopalian Bishop, more or less explaining that prayer is meditation.
I am happy to be a Catholic who practices Buddhism and occasionally attends Episcopalian mass. It is what works for me. To me, it’s all about something bigger that gives us hope, love and guidance, and about trying to be a better person. I am going to use every tool I come across on this journey of mine in an effort to reach that end.
I encourage you to explore and check things out for yourself, even just from a comparative or curiosity standpoint. Apprehension is natural. But I assure you, your interest is welcome. Just attending is a sign of respect. Just do what everyone else does – you’ll catch on. For example, at the Episcopalian church, all the parishioners stand in a circle and give Communion to one another. At the Temple, a lovely Thai women led me by the hand into the kitchen and helped me to arrange my organic fruits onto a platter then led me to one of the monks, where I slid my offering before him with an awkward (unknowing) bow. She walked me around the Temple explaining a few things in broken English and guided me in some of the rituals, like when we poured water into tiny bowls in honor of one of the monk’s birthdays and then went outside in our stocking feet to pour it into the earth to symbolize life.
I do not intend to return to the Temple – the Sangha is more appropriate for what I am looking for. But I will say it was a wonderful experience and made me feel a little more traveled and experienced, despite only being 45 minutes from home. There are so many wonderful things to experience in our own backyards that may provide a sense of adventure or peace, perhaps even a Quaker or Franciscan retreat house. Explore and observe; see what works for you, even if it is a little of everything.
