Dogen Sangha Blog

  by Gudo NISHIJIMA

Japanese / German

Sunday, February 5, 2006

Reality (2) The External World

In Buddhist philosophy, Reality is also indicated as the Reason, which pervades through the Universe, but in the second phase, we have to discuss the External World, in which we are just living now, as Reality. When we think about the problem simply on the basis of intellectual philosophies like Idealism, if we think that Reality is just Reason, it is impossible for us to insist that Reality is the External World. But in the case of Buddhist Realism, following the Theory of the Four Philosophies, it is possible for us to grasp the Universe as the External World from the opposite side of Reason.
Thinking from the Buddhist viewpoint, Reality is the External World itself, which we are just looking at in front of us. The one of the heavenly bodies, called the Solar System, includes the planet, called the Eearth, and the human civilization, which has developed on the surface of the Eearth, is also a kind of Reality. And even though we, human beings, have developed the history of the civilization for more than thouzands of years at least, we are just living in the historical Reality in the 21st Century.
And in such Reality, what I feel so much grateful, is the fact that USA and USSR have become reconciled with each other without fighting the World War 3. in 1991. Before the reconciliation I could never expect such a so happy reconciliation of the two countries at all. At that time I thought that, if the World War 3. had occured, I had supposed that the tens % of the surface of the Eearth might be destroied easily. Because even in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the damage by Atomic Bombs in Hirishima and Nagasaki was enormously serious, that it was completely impossible for us to suppose the damage before it occured actualy at all. And furthermore more than 60 years have passed since the bombing Hirashima and Nagasaki, and so we have to think that the damage, which we have to suppose, might be so serious.
Therefore it was so grateful fact that because of the enormous efforts of USA and USSR the World War 3. has been stopped. We could become very joyful in such happy conditions wholeheartedly, we can enjoy so enormously that we, human beings, were not so stupid to destroy ourselves utilizing the Atomic Bombs, which we, human beings, had produced after so long and so eormous efforts.
I have a rather peculiar idea on human history, that the World History of human beings seems to be similar to a tornament game of some kinds of sports. In the Anciet History of human beings, there were many small tribes, and each tribe has their own undeveloped civilization. And when there were some kinds of competitive attitudes among them, in the ultimate phase they had wars, and they decided which tribe was superior to others relying upon fighting. Such competitive fights have been continued so manty times in the human history. And at last in 1991 USA and USSR want to fight the Final Game, but fortunately human beings had their excellent ability to stop their Final Game.
And thinking about the real situation of the world, we can think that the Final Game of the World Tornament has ended without fighting, already. And I guess that the Winner of the Final Game might be USA. Therefore in such a situation, USA has possibility to change her Army into the Police of the World, and All Countries in the World will have possibility to change their Armies into each Branch Offices of the World Police. In other words I think that we, Human Beings, are able to begun to have the possibility to establish the Government of the Whole World. Of course such a too much optimistic idea might be very difficult for human beings to think so seriously, but I think that our efforts to establish the peaceful plan to make the World situation better, might be much more desirable for us than to destroy our Valuable Civilization into Ashes by our very stupid attitude.
I have a supposition that it might not be so stupid for human beings to use the Nuclear Weapons on the Earth in future for destroying the so brilliant and valuable civilization, which we have now.

12 Comments:

Blogger oxeye said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

1:37 PM, February 06, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

>And I guess that the winner of the Final Game might be USA.

There is no "final game". Dogen himself said in Bendowa that teachings about the "final time" were wrong. The US simply happens to have emerged as the strongest nation at this particular point in time, due to the convergence of a number of historical and economic factors.

>Therefore in such a situation, USA has possibility to change her Army into the Police of the World, and All Countries in the World will have possibility to change their Armies into each Branch Offices of the World Police.

God forbid. America has no idea how to deploy its strength for good in the world. We've seen what happens when it tries to be the global policeman. Luckily, other countries won't even consider changing their armies into "branch offices" of the US military. Long before that happens, the US military itself will implode, as it is already starting to; the US will be unable to continue to support it; and your "global winner" will finally begin to reap the fruits of years of incompetent management (especially during the last five years), neglect, and carelessness as it spirals down the drain economically, ethically, and spiritually.

> In other words I think that we, Human Beings, are able to begun to have the possibility to establish the Government of the Whole World.

An interesting fantasy, which perhaps can come true at some point in the distant future, but certainly not based on anything the US does, and not even necessary for the human race to reach a state of increased happiness.

5:04 PM, February 06, 2006  
Blogger Michael said...

Amen, Bob.

3:32 AM, February 07, 2006  
Blogger oxeye said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

11:14 AM, February 07, 2006  
Blogger oxeye said...

"I have a supposition that it might not be so stupid for human beings to use the Nuclear Weapons on the Earth in future for destroying the so brilliant and valuable civilization, which we have now."

What is it that you are saying here? I’m not sure I understand what you mean..

2:57 PM, February 07, 2006  
Blogger roman said...

I think roshi Nishijima explains the character of External Reality as something which is opposed to Reason and uses example that some people confuse with roshi's personal views or opinions. We students sometimes tend to forget that Buddhist teachers speak in order to point to reality itself that is beyond all opinions. But when a student attaches to what a teacher says, then such a student believes a discussion started. Reality does not discuss itself.

In other words roshi Nishijima points to reality that is beyond all views with a finger, that is painted with stars and stripes - painted like this just for a while. And some ppl refuse to accept such politically oriented finger. But the colors of the finger change according to situation. But the direction of the finger is clear and sharp. As much as reality beyond views is clear and sharp.

9:54 PM, February 07, 2006  
Blogger Taigu said...

Nishijima roshi,

I revere you as my ancestor. I bow to you. But I cannot take this. George Bush's policy, American imperialism as a chance for the world? Are you kidding? I am fucking French, as French ( different from american as they are from us, great) we love and cultivate differences and believe that the fabric of this universe is beautiful because of its diversity, its changing nature. Don't you understand that the vere changing nature of things is IT? Your dream of something stable, central, controlled is a byproduct of your perception of sitting Zen. Sitting Zen is dynamic, moving, flowing, directing, never achieving or rather never aware of its completion.

Taijun is helping the poor and people in suffering. She does more for Buddhism than this bullshit of polical correctness and your would be philosophy.

Gudo, WAKE UP !!!!

It is a shame to hear a Buddhist patriarch saying that America is the key to the problems of the world. I love american people and I don't want to be one of them. I don't want anybody to rule me. I wish that my delusion doesn't rule others or me so much.

It is my illusion to wish that you could react in a different way.

I have no business to tell you what to think but just a thought, great Buddhist thinker, all this, all these centuries of sitting for coming to the conclusion that market values and stock exchange are the acting Boddhisatvas of this world?

Do you realize the stupidity of what you write?

Gudo, Stupid foolish way.

Gudo, one day, you'll wake up and see that this crasy offender of Mike Chodo Cross and his insane follower Tetsu Ten could well be your most vulnerable, honnest, openely fucked up and true Dharma heirs.

When I visit japan, i'll meet you, face to face. Not to fight. Not to make peace. I don't care about politics.

Just meeting you. Meeting Taijun too.

Buddha bless, Gudo, and remember, Sawaki's imperfect and human teaching was full of rebellion, when offered the abbotship of Eiheiji he replied: not even a dog would take it...

How could I take your suggestion about America?

Pierre

1:37 AM, February 08, 2006  
Blogger oxeye said...

you are a silly person pierre.

6:25 AM, February 08, 2006  
Blogger Keith said...

Just another reason why I am proud to call Jundo Cohen my teacher.

Thank you, Jim!

1:23 AM, February 09, 2006  
Blogger Taigu said...

I agree, Oxeye,


Silly and much more,



Thank me for reminding you

Thank you for reminding me.

1:34 AM, February 09, 2006  
Blogger GUDO NISHIJIMA said...

For Bob San

I hope sincerely that the confrontation between USA and USSR has been the real final game in human history.

I do not know whether USA will implode historically in near future, or not, and at the same time I do not know whether all other countries will protest to make the world peaceful. I like always to think everything on the basis of facts, which have occured on the earth already.

Of course, my idea is a so enormously fantastic dream, but I think that we, human being, can have its freedom to make its efforts for realizing the dream without any hesitation, even though it seems to be completely impossible.


For Oxeve San

I think that we, human beings, have needed so many years, for example for more than tens thouthands, or hundreda thousands of years at least, for getting the so enormously gorgeous and so valuable civilizations, which we are just enjoying today, and so I do not think that it is so stupid for human beings to destroy such a valuable civilizations easily without any hesitation.


For ryunin San

I agree that Reality does not disscuss itself, but I think that it is necessary for human beings to discuss Reality for finding it.

I think that it is necessary for us sincerely to discuss the political situations of the world today for finding the real situations of the world, which is as exactly as similar to the real facts.


For Pierre Turlur San

I am never kidding anyone at all. I do not think that diversity is not always beautiful. We human beings have been suffered from the diversity between idealism and materialism for more than tens of thousands of years at least, and I think that we, human beings, are going to get rid of such a miserable condition in the human history for the first time relying upon Buddhist Realism. I think that it is inevitable for us to begin to lose all kinds of lies on the earth gradually because of so excellent power of IT civilizations.

Thank you very much for your praise of my disciple Taijun.

Fortunately I am always awake up other than the time when I am sleeping.

I think that you have your perfect freedom to believe in your own belief without fail.

I think that it is completely imposible for me to change my Buddhist thoughts until my death.

I would like to cearly say that even the market values and stock exchange are also just the acting Boddhisatvas of this world.

I do not find so far any kind of stupidiy in what I wrote in my blog.

I do not have anything to say to others' slanders or blames against me.

I think that what you suppose about me will never occur on the earth at all. Because recently Mr Mike Cross sent me an email that he never accept only one theory of me, which is based on the authonomic nervous system, but all theories, which I insist, belong totally to Gautama Buddha's theory, but among them the only one exception, which I insits, is just the theory on the authomic nervous system, because when Gautama Buddha lived, the scientific knowledge of the autonomic nervous system hasn't appeared on the earth yet.

I also expect to meet you in Japen sincerely.

I think Taijun also will be happy to meet you.

I think that your supposition of Master Kodo Sawaki is completely wrong. I have met him almost every month, when he was in Tokyo. and I think that he was also one of the most excellent Buddhist Master after Master Dogen's death.

I am always looking at the situations of the world everyday, not only of USA.

For Dan San

I have several Dharma Heirs, who are called Dan, and I guess you might be Dan Alon. Anyway I would like to listen to your opinion on France sincerely.


For Jundo Jim San

Thank you very much for your visiting me a few weeks ago. I would like to know the recent situations of Dogen Sanghas in France after your coming back from France.


For Oxeve San

I would like to keep my scilence in this case.


For JustKeith San

I would like to keep my silence too.


For Pierre Turlur San

I would like to keep my silence too.


For Pike San

I agree with your opinion perfectly, because, even though I am not a native speaker of English, my mistakes in English spellings are too many.

I have thought that the final game of the world tornament might be a kind of "Armageddon," and so I revere excellence of USSR and USA so much.


For zenarchist San

I have a very sincere boubt whether human beings have ability to maintain the peaceful conditions in the world without concetrating the government into one. I think that my opinion seems to be too pessimistic, but thinking the total situations in the world history, I think that the example between USSR and USA is only one exceptional consolation throughout the whole human histories.

All kinds of historical facts are critisized so severely from the both sides of idealism and materialism, but I am afraid that those two kinds of exstreme criticism are prone to belong to a too much one-sided opinion, or not.


For tena San

I do not like to say anything about the problems.

5:33 PM, April 17, 2006  
Blogger GUDO NISHIJIMA said...

For Bob San

I hope sincerely that the confrontation between USA and USSR has been the real final game in human history.

I do not know whether USA will implode historically in near future, or not, and at the same time I do not know whether all other countries will protest to make the world peaceful. I like always to think everything on the basis of facts, which have occured on the earth already.

Of course, my idea is a so enormously fantastic dream, but I think that we, human being, can have its freedom to make its efforts for realizing the dream without any hesitation, even though it seems to be completely impossible.


For Oxeve San

I think that we, human beings, have needed so many years, for example for more than tens thouthands, or hundreda thousands of years at least, for getting the so enormously gorgeous and so valuable civilizations, which we are just enjoying today, and so I do not think that it is so stupid for human beings to destroy such a valuable civilizations easily without any hesitation.


For ryunin San

I agree that Reality does not disscuss itself, but I think that it is necessary for human beings to discuss Reality for finding it.

I think that it is necessary for us sincerely to discuss the political situations of the world today for finding the real situations of the world, which is as exactly as similar to the real facts.


For Pierre Turlur San

I am never kidding anyone at all. I do not think that diversity is not always beautiful. We human beings have been suffered from the diversity between idealism and materialism for more than tens of thousands of years at least, and I think that we, human beings, are going to get rid of such a miserable condition in the human history for the first time relying upon Buddhist Realism. I think that it is inevitable for us to begin to lose all kinds of lies on the earth gradually because of so excellent power of IT civilizations.

Thank you very much for your praise of my disciple Taijun.

Fortunately I am always awake up other than the time when I am sleeping.

I think that you have your perfect freedom to believe in your own belief without fail.

I think that it is completely imposible for me to change my Buddhist thoughts until my death.

I would like to cearly say that even the market values and stock exchange are also just the acting Boddhisatvas of this world.

I do not find so far any kind of stupidiy in what I wrote in my blog.

I do not have anything to say to others' slanders or blames against me.

I think that what you suppose about me will never occur on the earth at all. Because recently Mr Mike Cross sent me an email that he never accept only one theory of me, which is based on the authonomic nervous system, but all theories, which I insist, belong totally to Gautama Buddha's theory, but among them the only one exception, which I insits, is just the theory on the authomic nervous system, because when Gautama Buddha lived, the scientific knowledge of the autonomic nervous system hasn't appeared on the earth yet.

I also expect to meet you in Japen sincerely.

I think Taijun also will be happy to meet you.

I think that your supposition of Master Kodo Sawaki is completely wrong. I have met him almost every month, when he was in Tokyo. and I think that he was also one of the most excellent Buddhist Master after Master Dogen's death.

I am always looking at the situations of the world everyday, not only of USA.

For Dan San

I have several Dharma Heirs, who are called Dan, and I guess you might be Dan Alon. Anyway I would like to listen to your opinion on France sincerely.


For Jundo Jim San

Thank you very much for your visiting me a few weeks ago. I would like to know the recent situations of Dogen Sanghas in France after your coming back from France.


For Oxeve San

I would like to keep my scilence in this case.


For JustKeith San

I would like to keep my silence too.


For Pierre Turlur San

I would like to keep my silence too.


For Pike San

I agree with your opinion perfectly, because, even though I am not a native speaker of English, my mistakes in English spellings are too many.

I have thought that the final game of the world tornament might be a kind of "Armageddon," and so I revere excellence of USSR and USA so much.


For zenarchist San

I have a very sincere boubt whether human beings have ability to maintain the peaceful conditions in the world without concetrating the government into one. I think that my opinion seems to be too pessimistic, but thinking the total situations in the world history, I think that the example between USSR and USA is only one exceptional consolation throughout the whole human histories.

All kinds of historical facts are critisized so severely from the both sides of idealism and materialism, but I am afraid that those two kinds of exstreme criticism are prone to belong to a too much one-sided opinion, or not.


For tena San

I do not like to say anything about the problems.

5:33 PM, April 17, 2006  

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