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May. 26th, 2005 10:30 amTeahouse Story -- a "play" by Dominique Teagle
The Buddha walks into a teahouse to find Jesus and Vishnu sitting at a table. Jesus smiles and waves the Buddha over to join them.
Jesus: Vishnu and I were just discussing God, and who God is to our people. I have taught that there is one God, who awaits us in heaven. To my people, God is the father, the creator, the Judge of the afterlife. My people worship him, and me as his son.
Vishnu: I am God. The one true God who has many forms. Following the sacred texts of Hinduism and realizing what I truly am, will bring you into me.
Jesus looks to the Buddha.
Jesus: What have you taught of God?
The Buddha sips his tea.
Buddha: I have not taught of that.
Jesus: Vishnu and I were discussing the afterlife. I have taught that if we accept God and repent for our sins through belief in me, we will go to heaven. It has been taught that those who do not, will be doomed to an eternity in hell.
Vishnu: After this life, if you have Karmic Debt, if you have not realized me, you are reborn on Earth to continue your journey. What have you taught of the afterlife, Buddha?
The Buddha sips his tea.
Buddha: Though I have taught of karma in life, I have not taught of that in the afterlife.
Jesus: Buddha, I am the son of God. I am divine, a savior, a beloved figure to my people.
Vishnu: Buddha, I am God, I am divine, I am eternal, I am everything to my people. I am a part of my people.
Jesus: What, Buddha, have you taught of your own divinity?
Buddha: I am a mere man, I have not taught of that.
Jesus: What have you taught then, if not of God, of your divinity, of what lies beyond?
Buddha: I have taught how to live here and now. I see, Jesus that you are eating a fish. The fish had to die for you to eat it. I have taught that killing anything is unnecessary.
Jesus looks at his fish.
Jesus: The fish is an animal. I agree that it is wrong to kill humans, but a fish is just a fish.
The Buddha takes Jesus' hand and places it on the plate of fish.
Buddha: This fish is a part of you, and when it died to feed you, a part of you died.
Vishnu nods in agreement.
Jesus: Are you saying then, that you will not eat any meat?
Buddha: I do not need meat to survive.
Having lost his appetite, Jesus pushes his plate aside.
Jesus: Buddha, what have you taught of desire?
Buddha: I have taught that unskillful desire causes suffering.
Vishnu: The desire known as malice, the desire known as lust, the desire known as greed, all lead to bad actions, and bad Karma, and disgrace.
Jesus: I agree. These desires are sin, they may lead you to the path toward hell.
Vishnu: Those on the path that you speak of will be reborn in lower positions in life, and will continue the cycle of births and deaths.
Buddha: I have taught of the consequences in this life. I have taught how this leads to the suffering of others, and yourself.
Jesus: Speaking of suffering, Vishnu, Buddha, what are your thoughts on war?
Vishnu: Perhaps we must fight. To protect families, or tribesmen, but only in war or protection. Never murder.
Buddha: Intent is the most important thing. When you kill to protect others, not out of hatred, greed, anger, or malice, the intent is coming from the right place. It is more of a Right Action.
Jesus: Buddha, Vishnu, what do you think about prayer? My people pray to me and to my father, to ask for help, for guidance, for forgiveness. My people pray together in great cathedrals and churches, and at their homes. My people pray as they were meant to pray and give reverence to me and my father.
Vishnu: My people pray and worship me and all my forms. They pray and worship together and apart, in different ways. Some devote their entire lives to me, and renounce everything to worship me. They once wandered the forest in reverence of me and moved towards truly realizing me.
Buddha: My people pray. My people follow my path as well.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: But he who takes refuge in the Buddha, the Law, and the Order, he perceives, in clear wisdom, the four noble truths.(pg 122 v190) Suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the noble eightfold path which leads to the cessation of suffering.(pg 123 v191)
Jesus: What path is this?
Buddha: It is first the path of understanding the Four Noble Truths. Acknowledging that suffering exists, that suffering is created by us, that creation of suffering can be stopped, and that it can be stopped by following the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: This is the path; there is none other that leads to the purifying of insight. You follow this. This will be to confuse Mara.(pg 145 v274) Once you reach the eightfold path, there are many steps, many concepts to consider.
To cease suffering, one must have Right Views. One must see things clearly
We must distinguish wholesome desires and actions from unwholesome desires and actions.
Jesus: How do you make your followers follow your idea of Right View, Buddha?
Buddha: Right view cannot be forced, cannot be taught. One must resolve to let go of all views, and attachment to all views.
Vishnu: What are the other components of the eightfold path, Buddha?
Buddha: To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Thinking. The driving force of your life must be the desire to further your transformation. Your ideas must move beyond words.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: Better than a thousand utterances composed of meaningless words is one sensible word on hearing which one becomes peaceful.(pg 93 v100)
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Speech. We must be truthful. We must be charitable in our Speech, avoiding gossip, abusive language, mean jokes, and constant complaint. Exercising Deep Listening is essential as well. We must focus on the words being spoken, not on our desire to comment.
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Action at all times. You, Jesus, and You, Vishnu, will recognize these restrictions. Do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in sexual misconduct or sexual violence, do not take drugs, and do not practice dishonesty.
Jesus: My people follow similar codes of conduct, or commandments.
Vishnu: My people follow these as well, but there is a great deal of ceremonial duty as well. Please continue, Buddha.
Buddha: To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Livelihood. One must earn a respectable and honest living which does not cause death, suffering, or disenfranchisement to others. One must not participate in jobs which promote the slave trade, the meat trade, dealing in arms, or the selling of drugs. One must not stay in a job which causes them personal harm.
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Diligence, or Right Effort. We must make the effort to transform ourselves. We must understand these teachings, and be sincere in our efforts to cease our suffering. We must nourish the wholesome thoughts and actions within ourselves.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: The disciples of Gautama are always well awake; their mind, day and night, delights in abstinence from harm.(pg 154 v300)
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Mindfulness. We must be aware of what is happening around us, and not just of ourselves. We must focus on living here and now, and not live in the past, or the future. We must remember the five mindfulness trainings; revere all life, practice generosity, practice mindful speech, practice sexual responsibility, and practice mindful consumption.
Jesus: Mindful consumption?
Buddha: Do not take or consume more than you need. Do not use more than your share of resources.
Jesus: So that all may have access. Ah, I understand. Please continue.
Buddha: Finally, to cease suffering, one must exercise Right Concentration. Do not use concentration as a way of shutting out the world, or running from your suffering. Instead, use concentration to make yourself deeply present in the present moment. Become absorbed in the moment, and live every moment of your life deeply. These are the concepts I have taught of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Vishnu: These are good teachings, Buddha. You inspire people to live a good life, and a happy life.
Buddha: I have taught others to cease their suffering. For because they suffer, they can understand my teachings. I can enter the hearts of those who suffer.
Jesus: So you may enter the hearts of everyone, Buddha? Where then, does your path end, Buddha??
Buddha: Those who can cease suffering, and achieve some stillness of the mind, and let go of all notions, may achieve Nirvana, and be at peace.
Vishnu: Is this where you teach people go after death?
Buddha: Nirvana is not a place, but a state of being, and interbeing, and having extinguished all notions.
Jesus: Would you say, Buddha, that Nirvana is heaven?? That is a promised land?? A place that the mind remains forever?
The Buddha sips his tea.
Buddha: I have not taught that.
--the end
* notes-- I am unsure of whether or not the Buddha really taught of things having to do with the afterlife and God. Some teachings say that he did. Some teachings say that he did not. I wrote this particular 'play' under the assumption that he did not.
The Buddha walks into a teahouse to find Jesus and Vishnu sitting at a table. Jesus smiles and waves the Buddha over to join them.
Jesus: Vishnu and I were just discussing God, and who God is to our people. I have taught that there is one God, who awaits us in heaven. To my people, God is the father, the creator, the Judge of the afterlife. My people worship him, and me as his son.
Vishnu: I am God. The one true God who has many forms. Following the sacred texts of Hinduism and realizing what I truly am, will bring you into me.
Jesus looks to the Buddha.
Jesus: What have you taught of God?
The Buddha sips his tea.
Buddha: I have not taught of that.
Jesus: Vishnu and I were discussing the afterlife. I have taught that if we accept God and repent for our sins through belief in me, we will go to heaven. It has been taught that those who do not, will be doomed to an eternity in hell.
Vishnu: After this life, if you have Karmic Debt, if you have not realized me, you are reborn on Earth to continue your journey. What have you taught of the afterlife, Buddha?
The Buddha sips his tea.
Buddha: Though I have taught of karma in life, I have not taught of that in the afterlife.
Jesus: Buddha, I am the son of God. I am divine, a savior, a beloved figure to my people.
Vishnu: Buddha, I am God, I am divine, I am eternal, I am everything to my people. I am a part of my people.
Jesus: What, Buddha, have you taught of your own divinity?
Buddha: I am a mere man, I have not taught of that.
Jesus: What have you taught then, if not of God, of your divinity, of what lies beyond?
Buddha: I have taught how to live here and now. I see, Jesus that you are eating a fish. The fish had to die for you to eat it. I have taught that killing anything is unnecessary.
Jesus looks at his fish.
Jesus: The fish is an animal. I agree that it is wrong to kill humans, but a fish is just a fish.
The Buddha takes Jesus' hand and places it on the plate of fish.
Buddha: This fish is a part of you, and when it died to feed you, a part of you died.
Vishnu nods in agreement.
Jesus: Are you saying then, that you will not eat any meat?
Buddha: I do not need meat to survive.
Having lost his appetite, Jesus pushes his plate aside.
Jesus: Buddha, what have you taught of desire?
Buddha: I have taught that unskillful desire causes suffering.
Vishnu: The desire known as malice, the desire known as lust, the desire known as greed, all lead to bad actions, and bad Karma, and disgrace.
Jesus: I agree. These desires are sin, they may lead you to the path toward hell.
Vishnu: Those on the path that you speak of will be reborn in lower positions in life, and will continue the cycle of births and deaths.
Buddha: I have taught of the consequences in this life. I have taught how this leads to the suffering of others, and yourself.
Jesus: Speaking of suffering, Vishnu, Buddha, what are your thoughts on war?
Vishnu: Perhaps we must fight. To protect families, or tribesmen, but only in war or protection. Never murder.
Buddha: Intent is the most important thing. When you kill to protect others, not out of hatred, greed, anger, or malice, the intent is coming from the right place. It is more of a Right Action.
Jesus: Buddha, Vishnu, what do you think about prayer? My people pray to me and to my father, to ask for help, for guidance, for forgiveness. My people pray together in great cathedrals and churches, and at their homes. My people pray as they were meant to pray and give reverence to me and my father.
Vishnu: My people pray and worship me and all my forms. They pray and worship together and apart, in different ways. Some devote their entire lives to me, and renounce everything to worship me. They once wandered the forest in reverence of me and moved towards truly realizing me.
Buddha: My people pray. My people follow my path as well.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: But he who takes refuge in the Buddha, the Law, and the Order, he perceives, in clear wisdom, the four noble truths.(pg 122 v190) Suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the noble eightfold path which leads to the cessation of suffering.(pg 123 v191)
Jesus: What path is this?
Buddha: It is first the path of understanding the Four Noble Truths. Acknowledging that suffering exists, that suffering is created by us, that creation of suffering can be stopped, and that it can be stopped by following the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: This is the path; there is none other that leads to the purifying of insight. You follow this. This will be to confuse Mara.(pg 145 v274) Once you reach the eightfold path, there are many steps, many concepts to consider.
To cease suffering, one must have Right Views. One must see things clearly
We must distinguish wholesome desires and actions from unwholesome desires and actions.
Jesus: How do you make your followers follow your idea of Right View, Buddha?
Buddha: Right view cannot be forced, cannot be taught. One must resolve to let go of all views, and attachment to all views.
Vishnu: What are the other components of the eightfold path, Buddha?
Buddha: To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Thinking. The driving force of your life must be the desire to further your transformation. Your ideas must move beyond words.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: Better than a thousand utterances composed of meaningless words is one sensible word on hearing which one becomes peaceful.(pg 93 v100)
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Speech. We must be truthful. We must be charitable in our Speech, avoiding gossip, abusive language, mean jokes, and constant complaint. Exercising Deep Listening is essential as well. We must focus on the words being spoken, not on our desire to comment.
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Action at all times. You, Jesus, and You, Vishnu, will recognize these restrictions. Do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in sexual misconduct or sexual violence, do not take drugs, and do not practice dishonesty.
Jesus: My people follow similar codes of conduct, or commandments.
Vishnu: My people follow these as well, but there is a great deal of ceremonial duty as well. Please continue, Buddha.
Buddha: To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Livelihood. One must earn a respectable and honest living which does not cause death, suffering, or disenfranchisement to others. One must not participate in jobs which promote the slave trade, the meat trade, dealing in arms, or the selling of drugs. One must not stay in a job which causes them personal harm.
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Diligence, or Right Effort. We must make the effort to transform ourselves. We must understand these teachings, and be sincere in our efforts to cease our suffering. We must nourish the wholesome thoughts and actions within ourselves.
The Buddha quotes the Dhammapada.
Buddha: The disciples of Gautama are always well awake; their mind, day and night, delights in abstinence from harm.(pg 154 v300)
To cease suffering, one must exercise Right Mindfulness. We must be aware of what is happening around us, and not just of ourselves. We must focus on living here and now, and not live in the past, or the future. We must remember the five mindfulness trainings; revere all life, practice generosity, practice mindful speech, practice sexual responsibility, and practice mindful consumption.
Jesus: Mindful consumption?
Buddha: Do not take or consume more than you need. Do not use more than your share of resources.
Jesus: So that all may have access. Ah, I understand. Please continue.
Buddha: Finally, to cease suffering, one must exercise Right Concentration. Do not use concentration as a way of shutting out the world, or running from your suffering. Instead, use concentration to make yourself deeply present in the present moment. Become absorbed in the moment, and live every moment of your life deeply. These are the concepts I have taught of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Vishnu: These are good teachings, Buddha. You inspire people to live a good life, and a happy life.
Buddha: I have taught others to cease their suffering. For because they suffer, they can understand my teachings. I can enter the hearts of those who suffer.
Jesus: So you may enter the hearts of everyone, Buddha? Where then, does your path end, Buddha??
Buddha: Those who can cease suffering, and achieve some stillness of the mind, and let go of all notions, may achieve Nirvana, and be at peace.
Vishnu: Is this where you teach people go after death?
Buddha: Nirvana is not a place, but a state of being, and interbeing, and having extinguished all notions.
Jesus: Would you say, Buddha, that Nirvana is heaven?? That is a promised land?? A place that the mind remains forever?
The Buddha sips his tea.
Buddha: I have not taught that.
--the end
* notes-- I am unsure of whether or not the Buddha really taught of things having to do with the afterlife and God. Some teachings say that he did. Some teachings say that he did not. I wrote this particular 'play' under the assumption that he did not.
