| Response:
“Drinking a cup of tea, I end the war.”
It seems simplistic and sugary, yet invites each of us to take
responsibility for bringing peace to our lives and the world, moment by
moment. In Zen, each person tries to find his or her way in family life,
the work place, political involvements and all forms of community life,
whether local or global. We deepen our appreciation that each moment and
every act participates in the whole. We do not have to be Secretary of
State to make a difference: all of our activities are influencing
everyone everywhere. How might that awareness guide our choices?
Looking within ourselves with a gently inquiring
awareness, we discover the very roots of war -- our anger, fear, hurt,
feelings of inadequacy, neediness, judgments, and our inept attempts to
cope with our suffering. Gradually we learn that practicing skillfully
with these difficult emotions is the basis for cultivating compassion.
We experience the quiet joy and satisfaction of living fully in each
moment, and this naturally draws us to concern for the welfare of all.
As we listen more carefully to ourselves and to
one other, boundaries dissolve. Globalism compels us to see
inter-connectedness or interbeing as reality, not an idealistic theory.
Labeling others as “enemies,” “terrorists,” “barbarians” or “torturers”
will not create conditions for solving problems, ending violence and
creating peace between international neighbors.
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Rosemary Radford Ruether, a prominent Catholic
theologian, proposes that the “war against terrorism” may be viewed as a
form of Americanist messianic nationalism. This ideology uses religious
language in order to justify its contention that the United States is an
elect nation chosen by God to impose its way of life on the rest of the
world, by force if necessary. We are told that “evil” is located in the
“enemy” and that this evil can and should be conquered by military
might. Ruether urges Christian churches, in partnership with other
religious groups, to vigorously counteract this abuse of religion and
moral charade. The 13th Century poet, Saadi of Shiraz, teaches, “The
children of Adam are limbs of one another--when the world gives pain to
one, the other members find no rest.”
Zen emphasizes right action flowing
naturally from awareness. Engaged Buddhism encourages individual
practitioners as well as Zen and Buddhist Centers to work together on
issues such as prison reform, international human rights and world
peace.
- Rev. Dr. Deborah Barrett |