Reading Lama Anagarika Govinda is proving nostalgic on a number of fronts.
I recall my first reading of it in my first year at university, bought at Watkins, the famous 'esoteric' bookshop in Cecil Court in London. I sat in my hall of residence room transfixed by a world made familiar; and, it was deepening of a commitment to contemplation (which has been observed fitfully)!
I remember returning, at the time, to my school to give a talk to the combined fifth form on Buddhism and using Govinda as the backbone of my delivery (both this book, and his equally wonderful, the Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism). I was voted (I immodestly remember) their best invited speaker of the year. I had even bought a recording of Tibetan music as opener and closer!
He reminded me of how important Buddhism was (and is) to my own thinking and comprehension of my experience. The Buddha's First Sermon in the Deer Park was the first religious text I read (of my own volition) at the tender age (or precocious) of thirteen and its realization of suffering, its causes and its cessation was and remains a deep revelation of truth.
If I did not take a Buddhist path, it was because I had been claimed by a different, but complementary path, I had in George Fox's inimitable words discovered one who spoke intimately to my condition: Christ as inner light.
That the two are doctrinally apart is an exoteric truth, that they join at an esoteric level is equally true. Both encompass that vulnerability to what is from which flows abiding compassion. It is beautifully captured in this icon of their greeting.
Both stand upon their respective truths - of dharma and logos - that circulate their patterns of discipline and form that fully entered into are saving vehicles and yet beyond that, beyond the vehicle is the destination, they embrace. They recognize each other. We may embark, necessarily, on different journeys, require often radically different methods, but the destination is the same.
I recall my first reading of it in my first year at university, bought at Watkins, the famous 'esoteric' bookshop in Cecil Court in London. I sat in my hall of residence room transfixed by a world made familiar; and, it was deepening of a commitment to contemplation (which has been observed fitfully)!
I remember returning, at the time, to my school to give a talk to the combined fifth form on Buddhism and using Govinda as the backbone of my delivery (both this book, and his equally wonderful, the Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism). I was voted (I immodestly remember) their best invited speaker of the year. I had even bought a recording of Tibetan music as opener and closer!
He reminded me of how important Buddhism was (and is) to my own thinking and comprehension of my experience. The Buddha's First Sermon in the Deer Park was the first religious text I read (of my own volition) at the tender age (or precocious) of thirteen and its realization of suffering, its causes and its cessation was and remains a deep revelation of truth.
If I did not take a Buddhist path, it was because I had been claimed by a different, but complementary path, I had in George Fox's inimitable words discovered one who spoke intimately to my condition: Christ as inner light.
That the two are doctrinally apart is an exoteric truth, that they join at an esoteric level is equally true. Both encompass that vulnerability to what is from which flows abiding compassion. It is beautifully captured in this icon of their greeting.
Both stand upon their respective truths - of dharma and logos - that circulate their patterns of discipline and form that fully entered into are saving vehicles and yet beyond that, beyond the vehicle is the destination, they embrace. They recognize each other. We may embark, necessarily, on different journeys, require often radically different methods, but the destination is the same.
"No paradise of the East,
ReplyDeleteNo paradise of the West,
Seek along the way you have come -
They are all within you"
From 'The Gospel According to Zen', Robert Sohl and Audrey Carr.
As lent to you in those dismal hall of residence rooms.
I do not remember "The Gospel According to Zen"! But much of the thinking that has stood the test of time was initiated in reading (and conversation) in those 'dismal halls'!
ReplyDeleteCan you please tell us about the painting.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could. I saw the image at a Roman Catholic convent in England looked after by an order from India and took the picture but sadly I do not know its origin and who painted it! I am spurred by your question to see if I can find out!
DeleteDear Mr Colloff.
DeleteI was told by a friend of mine that the "Christ meets Buddha" Icon was
here on Golgonooza. I am the creator/painter/writer of the image. I am a Roman Catholic religious Brother/Monk and an Iconographer in the Cretan Byzantine tradition of Iconography. This particular Image was a Commission I received from a friend who runs a retreat center in McGregor, Cape Province, South Africa. It has, since it was painted some 20 years ago, gone a little viral much to my surprise. It hangs in the the Chapel of 'The Little way' in McGregor, South Africa.
Dear Br. Richard, How delightful to hear from you as the creator of this wonderful icon, that has indeed gone viral (even on my humble site). It is lovely and great to know where the original resides! Thank you.
DeleteI have been in the presence of the real painting in Little Way at Temenso, MacGregor - and it has never left me... the power of the painting and the spirit of reconciliation and respect in it is so beautiful - and very very appropriate and helpful for the rainbow nation of South Africa. Thank you Brother Richard Joseph. You have blessed many of us with this work of art and wonder!
DeleteMe too around same time. Guess you'll have paired it with P Yogananda too?
ReplyDeleteNo, I did not. I have Yogananda on a shelf shelf somewhere but have never read him!
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me who the artist is, who made this image? I've been searching for a print of it, unsuccessfully. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid I do not! If you find out let us know!
DeleteWill do. Thank you.
DeleteYou write this ten years ago but what a joy to read. I have a little icon card if the image too, on my mantle piece. Happy for these meetings of mind and heart.
ReplyDelete