Enlightenment

Today, December 8, is Bodhi day. This is the day traditionally marked by Buddhists as the day Shakyamuni, Prince Sidartha, gained enlightenment sitting under the pipala or fig tree. The teachings of the Buddha or "enlightened one" are well documented easily available on the web; in the end the teachings offer an end to human suffering through enlightenment -- clear awareness about the nature of things, the interconnectedness of all beings and things, and the cessation of suffering through release of greed and grasping.

The folks debating whether stores should announce "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" miss the point. They would do well to leave off the debate and focus on becoming the pillar of brotherly love, acceptance and non-judgment that their Jesus worked to be; the debater's would do well to head the Buddha's comment on organized religion that it is important to remember that "the finger pointing at the moon is not the moon."

Christ's Mass is just a finger, pointing, for Christians to the ultimate goals of that faith. It is not salvation itself, nor is a magical phrase the key to a good and holy life.

On this Bodhi day, whatever your religious affiliation or none, may you live this day with greater awareness, open to the interconnection and interdependence of all sentient beings, and the causes of suffering in ourselves and others.