If you know anything at all about the Buddha you will laugh as you read this! I will admit right up front that I know precious little. I read and forgot most of Siddhartha in graduate school. I've never read any of the actual scriptures. I know what he looks like because I have a really cool giant Buddha picture hanging on my wall. It is the traveling Buddha because it journeyed to my house tied to the top of a RAV4, all the way from Fort Worth. He hung over the edges! He was a very giant present from someone who I think actually understands who he is. I came to love the Buddha many years ago, but not because I knew what in the world he was all about. I became fascinated because I didn't know what he was about. And I really didn't want to know either. I loved the statues and pretty images because they were different. They represented a rebellious, but lighthearted and fun part of me. I liked having them around because it seemed like I "shouldn't." Why would a Christian have Buddhas sitting and hanging around?
Today I watched a program on Buddhism. I have been reading about mindfulness lately and thought it would be interesting to know a little more about the tradition it comes from. The history was interesting, but almost completely confusing, especially about the difference between the happy fat ones and the serious skinny ones. I became increasingly confused, but just as I was tempted to get frustrated because I couldn't "get" it, I was able to lighten up and realize that ulimately it doesn't matter very much in my situation. But as Kyle, the Jewish kid on South Park, would say, "I learned something today." I learned it is not necessary to understand a philosophy or a religion to enjoy and benefit from it. I can try and practice mindfulness, and I can smile at my decorative Buddhas. And at the same time, I can unashamedly admit to anyone who thinks it's cool that I must be a Buddhist (or is, on the other hand, appalled,) that to me the Buddha is just a symbol for happiness and contentment. No attachment to understanding. Smile.
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