Thoughts on Buddhist Self Immolation

The disturbing image of a Vietnamese monk protesting by setting fire to himself 

I apologise if the image above is shocking to readers.  I can assure you that i also find this image disturbing.   This image shows a Buddhist monk, seated in meditation, as he engulfs himself in flames.  This monk was protesting about  the situation in Vietnam in 1963 but this type of protest has again come to the attention of the worlds media with the recent self immolation of several Tibetan Buddhists protesting about the Chinese Governments treatment of Tibet.  It seems to me that the Chinese Government have worked hard to portray these monks, who have taken their own lives in such a dramatic and horrifying way, as being unholy and as having committed an un-Buddhist act.  This whole situation has really troubled me and really challenged me to think what is my view on this as a lay Buddhist.

I found an article posted on the web from the Chinese paper 'The People's Daily' written by a person described as a renowned Tibetologist, Li Decheng, the article was published in late 2011.  The article sums up many of the negative press stories about self immolation and how it has been reported as being un-Buddhist particularly by the Chinese authorities.

Li Decheng states that self immolation is against "core Buddhist ethics".  He goes on to say "in Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, scripture has never encouraged killings and suicide, nor has Buddhist dogma incited others to carry out killings or commit suicide".  The Dali Lama has commented upon these acts and his view seems to be clear that he does not encourage Buddhists, or any one else, to use self immolation as a way of protest what ever the circumstance they find themselves in.  He did however, recognise that these monks have been very courageous but gave the impression that this is not the best form of protest.  So what is the Buddhist view on this and how do i as a lay Buddhist feel about this issue?

Well i don't disagree with Li Decheng when he states that Buddhist scriptures do not encourage people to kill or commit suicide.  Anyone vaguely familiar with Buddhist thought would know that refraining from killing and showing compassion towards all beings is central to Buddhism.  Taken from this, perhaps simplistic view point, then Buddhists clearly should not encourage or engage in protesting through the extreme act of self immolation.

However, interestingly there are Buddhist scriptures that do contain reference to self immolation and present these acts as acts of compassion  Two come from the Jataka Tales, famous stories of some of the Buddhas past lives.  One describes where the Buddha, known as Prince Sattva , found a Tigress who was starving and was about to eat her newly born cubs, in order to survive.  Prince Sattva then lay down in front of the Tigress and offered up his body as a meal thus saving the Tiger family.  In another Jataka Tale, the Buddha, lived in a previous life as King Shibi, who was renowned for his kindness and compassion.  Two Gods wanted to test his kindness and transformed themselves into a dove and a hawk.  The Hawk chased the dove until it flew into the lap of King Shibi.  The King then offered the Hawk to cut off some of his own flesh, equal in weight to the dove, if the Hawk would spare the Dove's life.  The King then cut off some of his flesh. The two birds transformed back into Gods again, they paid homage to the King and restored his flesh.

I also have a recitation booklet produced by the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives which can be used when using a 108 bead rosary.  One of the short stories in this booklet, not sure of the exact historical origin, tells of a rabbit, seeing a monk, close to starvation.  On seeing this the rabbit jumps into the monks cooking pot, offering himself as a meal, in order to allow the monk to have the sustenance to continue with his search for enlightenment.  There is also a reference in the Lotus Sutra to the Medicine Kind burning himself as an offering to the Buddha and burning for thousands of years and the act helping many people to attain enlightenment.

Do i believe that all of the above actually happened?  I keep an open mind to this but i definitely believe that they are teaching stories aimed at inspiring us to continue with our Buddhist practice.  These stories also suggest to me that the idea of laying down ones life for a greater cause is one that has been around in Buddhist literature for some time.  Also central to Buddhist practice is letting go of the idea of a separate self in order to realise our interconnection with all beings.

So where does all this leave me?

I don't think for one minute that Buddhism encourages people to lay down their lives in order to make a point.  These acts are few and far between and i hope that never changes.  However, i do think that the monks in Tibet and else where who have carried out the act of self immolation deserve more than to be judged as un-Buddhist.  Who is to say, if they feel they have truly let go of their ego and sense of self, have no fear of dying through their realisation of the impermanence of all things.  Then find themselves in the position where they see their fellow citizens suffering and being oppressed and mistreated with very few countries in the world taking much interest in what is happening, then perhaps they felt that the greater good was to carry out such an horrific act, knowing it takes something so horrific to draw attention to their people's plight.  So this is a difficult issue for me to confront but i bow to these monks neither in agreement or disagreement but i bow to them with respect.

Thank you for reading this blog.  That was a heavy subject so i leave you with a positive image and chant by a Tibetan monk, Ani Choying Dolma, that i listen to often and it always cheers me up.  It maybe also shows the rich culture of Tibet and maybe offers some insight as to why some monks laid down their lives for their people?

Reflections on Sitting Sesshin

On the 11th August i travelled to Throssel hole Buddhist Abbey for a week long sesshin.  A sesshin basically means a period of intensive meditation,  Going on sesshin allows you the opportunity to really deepen your practice with intensive sitting  time, which is very hard to do in my busy home life.  The first ceremony of the week was travelling there.  I always think it is important to drive mindfully and as peacefully as possible on the way there.  I enjoyed my beautiful drive through Scotland and then into Northumberland, England's most northern county, where Throssel Hole is located, in a rural spot in the Pennine hills.

The beautiful view at the entrance to the Abbey

On arrival tea was made available to the retreatants and everyone was busy putting their personal belongings away and finding where they were to be sleeping for the week.  At this time we were encouraged to speak to each other and get to know each other a little.  Before long the evening meal was ready to be served and afterwards we got some instructions from Reverend Master Olwin, the monk leading the retreat.  Basically we were encouraged to be silent from there on.  However, this is a practical rule, you are allowed to ask people questions if you are unsure of things and each day there was a question and answer session with the monk where we could all speak.  But the point is to quieten our minds and silence helps us do that.

The ceremony hall

The daily schedule was as follows.

5.35am            Rising
6.00                Meditation
6.35                Walking meditation
6.45                Meditation
7.20                Morning Service
7.50                Temple clean up
8.40                Breakfast
9.10                Working meditation
10.30              Tea
10.50              Meditation
11.25              Walking meditation
11.35              Meditation (The monk would give a Dharma talk during this period of meditation)
12.10pm         Free time
12.30              Lunch
1.00                Free time
2.15                Meditation
2.50                Walking meditation
3.00                Meditation
4.00                Tea and questions with the monk
4.50                Mid day service
5.00                Meditation
5.40                Evening meal
6.00                Free time
7.30                Meditation
8.10                Walking meditation
8.20                Meditation
8.55                Evening service
9.30                Lights out

It was fascinating to observe my mind and body as the week progressed.  The first two days my mind was very busy, chattering away, thoughts continually coming and going.  However, about two and a half days in my mind did begin to quieten down quite significantly.  Thoughts still came and went but less often.  My body however, did begin to feel sore by the end of the week.  Mostly my knees but i put a cushion under them so was able to make it through all the periods of meditation.

Me meditating in the monastery

So what was the main learning from the week.  The first thing I'd say is that if you ever get the chance to go on a retreat like this it is worth doing.  It allows for the opportunity to really still the mind and shows what is possible with meditation.  However, something that came up a lot for me during the week was to be mindful of not setting up ideals in my practice.  I have been on similar retreats and sometimes come away thinking, yes i have cracked this now, if i get up early everyday and practice like i did at the monastery i will be a real Buddhist.  However, this can lead to feeling really tired and ultimately creates suffering for myself and those closest to me.  So i think now that i have to learn from my time at the monastery and apply my learning to my daily life more skillfully.


On the retreat I was really struck by one of Zen's central teachings, which is live in this moment.  Don't set up an idealised view  about what practice is or should be.  Just get on with it, live in the moment, mediate as much as i can but if i am tired and can't get up early some mornings, then that is okay, be compassionate to myself as well as others.  A monk spoke with me about the pitfalls of setting up ideals.  Sh said that we have to train with this human body and mind and that can be difficult but we have to be compassionate to ourselves along the way and work with our challenges.  She made the point that she enjoyed food and perhaps in the eyes of the world she might be considered slightly over weight.  However, the monk recognised that food was something she enjoyed and she was careful not to get so over weight as to damage their health but also recognised that the way she approached food was okay and healthy and just part of who  she was.  The monk also felt that there was no need to set up an ideal about how they should look or how a monk should eat, which i found helpful.

A statue in the monastery grounds

It also really brought home to me the power of meditation.  I have meditated for 12 years now on an almost daily basis and i am aware of its benefits.  But it was the first time for a while that i have been on a week long retreat and all that sitting really stills the mind.  Although i can't keep that type of meditation schedule up at home it does highlight that it really is worth making the time to sit as much as possible at home, but without setting up an ideal!  The more my mind can be stilled the more peaceful life becomes and the less suffering i create for myself and others.

My final observation and one that i have probably mentioned before after a retreat is just how close i feel to my fellow retreatants.  Even though we were silent most of the time there was a really strong sense of fellowship and compassion between us all,  Now that might disappear overtime, i don't know, but there is a real bond that emerges that feels stronger than usual to me.  I always think this is interesting as in our society we always feel the need to fill silence in order to communicate and make bonds with other people.  Perhaps this is not the only way to make deep connections!


Thanks for reading.

A hut used for meditation in the monastery grounds

When Yakusan met Sekito

Portrait of Sekito Kisen

Portrait of Yakusan Igen

If you read my post on 10th July titled, Illuminating Classic Zen Koans, you will have guessed that i am really enjoying studying the Book of Equanimity.  This is a famous collection of Zen koans, see my post 10th July for more details about the history of the book.  Well this post is about a beautiful conversation that took place between the great Zen teachers Yakusan Igen and Sekito Kisen, author of the important Zen scripture the Sandokai.  The conversation took place when they first met and is recorded in the Book of Equanimity.  It is not a koan in itself but this beautiful conversation contains so much teaching and really made an impression on me.  Before i quote the conversation a bit of historical background for you.

Portrait of Hui Neng

Sekito Kisen was the Dharma heir of one of the most important Zen teachers of all time Hui Neng, often referred to as the sixth Zen Patriarch.  These great masters lives spanned the 7th and 8th centuries AD and they all lived in China.  So this is how the conversation went when they both first met.

Yakusan was sitting in meditation.  Sekito approached him and asked. "What are you doing?" and Yakusan said, "I'm doing nothing at all," and Sekito said. "Then you're sitting idly?," and Yakusan said, "If i were sitting idly, then i would be doing something."  Checking him further, Sekito said, "You say you're doing nothing.  What is it you're not doing?" And Yakusan said, "Even thousands of old Buddhas do not know."

Wow, what a fantastic conversation, packed full of teaching!  What does it mean?  Well i will not claim to have the absolute answer but for what it is worth here is what it said to me.  At the heart of Zen Buddhist practice is the belief that we humans, animals and all things contain something called the Buddha nature. Through Zen practice we can be be at one with our Buddha nature.  Although my words do little justice to this topic.  However, Zen teachings, point out that as soon as we define in words or concepts what the Buddha nature is, it is lost.  Zen practice encourages us to live in each moment free of concepts and ideas, this is where we find our true nature and liberation from suffering.

In the first part of the conversation Yakusan is trying to show that he is just living in the moment, meditating and not living in the world of concepts.  Sekito tests him, and asks "then you are sitting idly"?  Yakusan realizes Sekito is trying to test his understanding and offer teaching to him.  However, it becomes clear to Sekito that Yakusan has a fine understanding already with his final answer "Even thousands of Buddhas do not know".  For me this says that the Buddhas of the past did not understand the way intellectually but lived fully present and alive to each moment of their lives.

I hope this beautiful conversation is as helpful to you as it has been to my own practice.  Thanks for reading.

As a lotus blossoms above unclear water
Pure and beyond the world
Is the mind of the trainee

Norman MacCaig, Assynt and Me

Norman MacCaig

Assynt

And me

I have just returned from my ten day summer holiday with my family to an area of Scotland known as Assynt.  Assynt is a remote area in the north western highlands of Scotland.  It is an area of rugged beauty and an area that my parents took me to from the age of one.  I then carried on going there as an adult with my own friends and now with my family.  I also share my love of Assynt with one of  Scotland's greatest poets Norman MacCaig.  We take a copy of his poems with us on holiday and when i return home and yearn for the place, these magical poems bring Assynt home with me; his clever, sharp descriptions allowing me to see the steep peaks and smell the salty air where ever i am.  I want to share with you in this short blog my love of Assynt and let you hear some of MacCaig's magical poetry about the place.  First  a poem by MacCaig about one of Assynt's most beautiful mountains Suilven.

Suilven

Climbing Suilven

I nod and nod to my shadow and thrust

A mountain down and down.

Between my feet a loch shines in the brown,

Its silver paper crinkled and edged with rust.

My lungs say No;

But down and down this treadmill hill must go.

Parishes dwindle. But my parish is

This stone, that tuft, this stone

And the cramped quarters of my flesh and bone.

I claw that tall horizon down to this; And suddenly

My shadow jumps huge miles away from me.

I love the poems of MacCaig and i share his love of Assynt.  It is often said that the British Isles is a crowded island.  I don't dispute that entirely.  But i have lived in north east Scotland all my life.  I walk regularly at weekends and in the evenings, almost every where i go i meet very few people.  And Assynt, many people have never heard of the area.  I think this is because it is so remote.  Even from where i live in north east Scotland it takes about five hours by car.  I have read that the population  density of Assynt and the rest of the northern highlands is similar to areas of the Sahara desert.   Why do i mention this?  Just a reminder that there are still spectacular, stunning and wild places left in the wondrous British Isles, you just need to seek them out.

So why do i love Assynt so much?  It is just so quiet for a start.  It is hard to believe it is the height of tourist season.  The roads are quiet and the silence is deafening.  The Assynt coast line is dotted with idyllic beaches, coated with pure white sand, small islands pepper the coast line too.  Huge cliffs rise up from the ever present sea and all variety of sea birds nest on the cliffs.  As the land sweeps inward across large peat bogs and endless miles of heather and ferns they are abruptly interrupted by magnificent mountains bursting from the earth at impossible angles.  Only the brave dare take a short cut from path to mountain, as the moorland holds literally thousands of small lochs to block your way.  And every where there is silence, only occasionally broken by crashing waves, a calling red throated loon or an eerie wind.  The only hard part is tearing yourself from the landscape when it is time to go home.

Norman MacCaig and many others share my love of Assynt.  If you ever find yourself in Scotland it is worth taking the time to visit but beware it might well steal your heart.  Below is my favourite Norman MacCaig poem, which does Assynt more justice than i can ever do.  The poem describes some of the Assynt mountains as pieces of music.  I hope you enjoy it and below the poem is a short 9 minute video about MacCaig and Assynt which was shown on the BBC.  Thanks for reading.

Moment musical in Assynt

A mountain is a sort of music: theme

And counter theme displaced in air amongst

Their own variations.

Wagnerian Devil signed the Coigach score;

And God was Mozart when he wrote Cul Mor.

You climb a trio when you climb Cul Beag.

Stac-Polly - there's a rondo in seven sharps,

Neat as a trivet.

And Quinag, rallentando in the haze,

Is one long tune extending phrase by phrase.

I listen with my eyes and see through that

Mellifluous din of shapes my masterpiece

Of masterpieces:

One sandstone chord that holds up time in space -

Sforzando Suilven reared on his ground bass