Thinking About Big Farts and Other Stinky Prospects

In a recent post on the Hardcore Zen blog site, writer Brad W. was talking about how a particular "zen master" (master of what, I'm not sure) is charging folks 50K to sit in his presence for a shot at enlightenment and to bask in his knowingness. Gross, right?

This guy Ginpo Roshi is doing what countless others throughout the history of humankind have done: profit from the fear and ignorance of others. Every religion, government, school of thought, political movement (the list goes on) has capitalized on the inherent suffering in the world. Entire economies and societal frameworks are built and maintained in this way. It is apparently what makes the "world go 'round".

I believe we are all at risk every moment of being promised a relief from suffering, for a price. The costs cannot be calculated, as they are intangible. Fifty thousand dollars is a nice plump pile of bread, but it doesn't compare with the cost of the delusion for which one pays. How many unenlightened folks will walk blissfully from Ginpo Roshi's retreat thinking they are a giant step ahead of everyone else in the "lack of suffering" department..until they get home and see that life is still life and suffering is still going to happen.

I have to digress for a moment to relate an annual event for me during my childhood, from the ages of about 7 to 16. Each summer, I would attend Falls Creek Southern Baptist Church Camp for a week. Speaking of hardcore, this was INTENSE indoctrination: there was very literally a minimum of 4 full-fledged sermons a day. Because of the hours and busy schedule, we were always exhausted and dropping like flies into the abyss of repentance. By the end of the week, I would be ready to sign my life away as a missionary to some hellish corner of the earth. Invariably, I would pack up my satanic and worldly possessions when I returned home so I would not be tempted by their wicked influence. Did you notice that I said "pack up" and not throw away or burn? LOL Within a week or two of being home, the exhaustion and brainwashing would melt away and life would gradually come to include the things I decidedly enjoyed (Led Zeppelin and Styx albums, watching television, and talking to my non-Christian friends).

My point (yes, I think I have one) is that there is no price for enlightenment. The recipe for baking a loaf of peace has graciously been provided for no fee. Opening our eyes to the world and taking a stab at understanding and seeing cannot be done on our behalf - no matter how much we pay or what we sacrifice. Ginpo Roshi probably does have big farts, most people do. I just can't imagine why anyone would think they're worth paying 50 grand to sniff.