R Coronae Australis
European Southern Observatory, 2010
My dear friends,
In the first verse of today's reading from Philippians 3:17-4:1, the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi:
and observe those who live
according to the example you have in us.
The first limb of the traditional seven-limb practice in Buddhism is prostration, which signifies respect and admiration for enlightened beings, or those who embody enlightened qualities. This practice aids in the cultivation of humility and the reduction of pride. Similarly, Paul's invitation to imitate and observe can be understood as an encouragement to respectfully learn from and emulate the qualities and behaviors of those who embody the spiritual virtues that Paul represents.
The link between these two traditions, then, lies in their shared emphasis on the importance of having role models, mentors, or guides on the spiritual path. Both Buddhism and Paul's teachings encourage learning from and embodying the wisdom and virtues of those who have walked the path before us. This process helps in reducing our egotistical tendencies, fostering humility, and allowing us to progress on our spiritual journeys.
It's also worth noting that in Buddhism, prostration isn't simply a physical act. It also involves mental and verbal aspects - recognizing the qualities of the enlightened ones, generating respect for these qualities, verbally expressing this respect, and developing the motivation to develop these qualities in oneself for the benefit of all beings. Similarly, Paul is not simply asking for blind imitation but a thoughtful observance and understanding of the virtues embodied by spiritual exemplars. So in both traditions, there is an understanding that respectful emulation isn't merely mimicry, but a deeply thoughtful and transformative practice.
Paul continues with a warning against a focus on earthly desires, indulgence, and physical satisfactions, whose end is destruction:
I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears.
Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame;
their minds are set on earthly things.
This mirrors the Three Poisons that Buddhism identifies: Ignorance, attachment, and aversion. When our mind is clouded by ignorance, not realizing the impermanent nature of all phenomena, we become attached to transient things, seeking happiness in them, and we develop aversion towards things that we perceive as obstacles to our happiness. But Paul calls us to rise above these limitations, to move from ignorance to wisdom, from attachment to liberation, from aversion to compassion:
and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will transform our humble bodies to conform with his glory,
by the power that enables him to make all things subject to himself.
This is the journey that we are called to undertake: To remember the teachings on mindfulness and meditation, to remain firmly anchored in the present moment, not swayed by the winds of change, of gain and loss, of pleasure and pain, but to remain steadfast on the path to liberation and peace.
stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Remember that we are all interconnected in this journey. May your path be filled with love, compassion, wisdom, joy and peace.