A look at media bias.

The term 'wage-slave' had a much better understanding in the forties [1840s] than it hastoday. It was not then regarded as an empty shibboleth of the soap-box orator. This would suggest that it has suffered only the normal degradation of language, has become a cliche, not that it is a grossly misleading characterization.

When the producer, whether master or journeyman, sold his product, he retained his person. But when he came to sell his labor, he sold himself. The term 'wage' that displaced 'price' as the Industrial Revolution advanced had formerly applied only to day labor, and the extension of the term to the skilled worker was regarded by him as a symbol of a deeper change. (Norman Ware, The Industrial Worker p xxi)

As late as 1854, a little group of highly skilled pianoforte makers in New York declared that a daily wage was equivalent to slavery and hoped that "the day is far distant when they [the wage-earners] will so far forget what is due to manhood as to glory in a system forced on them by necessity and in opposition to their feelings of independence and self-respect. May the piano trade long be spared such exhibitions of the degrading power of the day system (New York Daily Tribune, March 22, 1854).

This weekend I will celebrate the birth, the Awakening, and the final liberation of the Buddha in the Visakha Puja festival. Rather than post about the festival--though I may do that in another post--I'd like to share with you what I admire so much about the Buddha. Why do I think the Buddha was so special.

Spirit of Free Inquiry

"Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another's seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, 'The monk is our teacher.' When you yourselves know: 'These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,' enter on and abide in them." The Buddha
 
When I first read these words some dozen or so years ago I was blown away. As I traveled across the landscape of the world's religions I had become used to exhortations to believe or suffer the consequences. Again and again I was told to follow this teaching or that teaching based on little more than fear.

The Buddha appealed to my sense of reasoning. He never asks me to believe in something that is irrational or unreasonable. It's a system of practice that allows the practitioner to test the teachings on a daily basis.

Another salient point here is that the Buddha was a master at helping us ask the right questions: the questions that would lead us to an understanding of reality and help us gain release from our suffering. Most of us approach religion asking all the wrong questions. We want to "find ourselves" or understand where we came from. How did the universe originate. Where will our 'soul' go when we die, etc.

The Buddha, again and again, would simply point out that answers to any of those questions could not possibly lead to happiness. I have always been amazed at the way he approached such questions and the gentle and compassionate way he steers the discussion to more germane issues.

Proselytizing

"On one occasion Upali, a follower of Nigantha Nataputta, approached the Buddha and was so pleased with the Buddha's exposition of the Dhamma that he instantly expressed his desire to become a follower of the Buddha. But the Buddha cautioned him, saying:"Of a verity, O householder, make a thorough investigation. It is well for a distinguished man like you to make (first) a thorough investigation." Upali, who was overjoyed at this unexpected remark of the Buddha, said:"Lord, had I been a follower of another religion, its adherents would have taken me round the streets in a procession proclaiming that such and such a millionaire had renounced his former faith and embraced theirs. But, Lord, Your Reverence advises me to investigate further. The more pleased am I with this remark of yours. For the second time, Lord, I seek refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha."

This naturally flows from the spirit of free inquiry inherant in Buddha's teachings. Buddhism is usually recognized as the oldest proselytizing religion (a religion that seeks converts). But it has never went around browbeating peopel into conversion.
 
Traditionally monks and nuns would be invited somewhere to give a teaching. Or people would come to hear them teach. The Buddha was never in a hurry to convert anyone. And, as the quote above illustrates, he was usually quick to caution people and to emphasize the need to investigate further.This was my initial experience. The monks at the local temple let me do my thing. If I had any questions, they were there. If I needed any resources, they were there. But I never felt any pressure to join or become a Buddhist. Instead I was encouraged to simply learn more!

Wisdom & Compassion

"The non-doing of any evil,The performance of what is skillful,The cleansing of one's own mind:This is the teaching of the Awakened."DHP: 183

The first piece of Buddhist writing I ever came across was the Hymn to the Buddha of Infinite Compassion. It was actually only a small excerpt, but I didn't know any better. But I was immediately struck by the primacy of compassion in the Buddha's teachings.

A lot of people say they are pro-life. The Buddha said it and actually meant it. All life is precious and to be valued. That little spider that you despise so much, wants to live just as much as you do. It was so refreshing to find a noble teacher who truly believed that life--all life--is sacred.

There is no such thing as a just war in Buddhism. And yet the Buddha was not naive about violence. You can see his wise approach to violence in many of the martial arts traditions in Asia. Self-defense is the key. And usually there is a strong emphasis on doing your best not to harm your opponent, or to cause as little harm as possible.

To my joy and amazement the Buddha didn't simply emphasize compassion, he actually taught people how to develop these wonderful qualities. In Buddhism they are called the Four Sublime Attitudes: lovingkindness, compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity.

The wisdom and compassion taught by the Buddha is simply amazing. Wisdom, compassion, the spirit of free inquiry, these are some of the salient features of the Buddha's teachings that led me to take refuge in the Triple Gem. The Buddha propigated a doctrine that appealed to both the mind and the heart. He encouraged us to think for ourselves. His teachings are to be tested in our lives. I pay homage to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha today.

Thank you.I hope you enjoy my posts on Buddhism. Below are links to some of my other posts:

Womenin Buddhism Part One
Women in Buddhism Part Two
What the heck is a Buddhist?
Thai New Year
Introducing Buddhism
Buddhism in a Nutshell
Right Speech
The Buddha and the Christ