The Journey

If Buddha was a female how different would her teachings be compared to her counterpart. I hope not to offend but simply ask a question that lingers in my mind.

                                                                                               The Journey 

                                                                                (The Dharma of Buddha Satra)

                                                                                                        By

 

                                                                                     Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

     The journey had been arduous and filled with many perils for Marwani, but its end had finally come, as he found himself standing at the edge of the mythical garden of tranquility.  He had set sail upon the seas of discord for an eternity on a raft made of bound reeds and twine.  The cascades of the seas raged and tore at his already fractured soul, as he braved it with his remnants to find an answer to his troubled heart.  He fought against the demons of his despair, which whispered through the four winds in giddy cacophonous glee upon the ocean night.  It sought to drown him and choke the life from his lungs, but how could the dark seas kill a spirit already in death?  He fought the compulsion to join those lost souls who had resigned their fate to the depths of darkness.  The young man knew he would not find peace until he found answer.  And it was only in the great wisdoms of Buddha Satra would he find his enlightenment.  In the balance of Nirvana.

     The island teamed with life as he had walked the narrow path of spiritual direction.  The vines tangled and clung like grassy ropes up towards the canopy of this enigmatic majestic wood.  The call of nature sang throughout the air in chirps and chittering whispers of the creatures who inhabited this hallowed place.  They were welcoming in their song.  Fragrances of many kind alluded to the holiness of the earth he occupied.  Lilac, Jasmine, Roses, and endless others pervaded the air with a boundless bouquet of reverence in their essence.  He was in a world outside his own, and he felt very much a stranger in a strange land, indeed.

     As he stood at the entrance of the garden he reminisced of the sea foam that clawed at the edges of his raft.  Their white endless bubbles echoing the billowy clouds that weighted in counter from the heavens above.  It gave an appearance and sense of infinite wonder as to where the sea began and the sky ended.  With the many hazards travailed in conquest now behind him Marwani found his campaign at its end.  Would his audience be accepted by the spiritual Eminence of the Mother Buddha?  And would she find kind mercy upon him to reveal the burdened question that racked his weary soul?  With troubled heart he proceeded forward toward the path of enlightenment; his hardship carried on strained shoulders of angst.

     The great tree stood before him, wonderous in appealment and alluring attraction.  Its height and presence intimidated the senses with awe and grandeur reserved for only the most holy.  Its color was defined in multitude, with many shades of brown and tan painting its cragged skin. The tree breathed and shimmered with life.  The leaves verdant and gold upon its edges reflected its eternal vibrancy.  And the roots protruded from the Earth like welcoming fingers gesturing in peaceful friendship.  But it was at the tree's center that held its revealed soul in the personage of the great mother Buddha who sat in lotus position with eyes closed in meditation.  No words could define her state of sublime perfection.  She simply was.  In all things.

     Marwani fell to his knees in prostration in the reverence of Buddha.  He humbled himself before her attained glory.  And wept.  In all things beautiful of this world nothing came close to the perfection of balance in a revealed universe before him.  He had reached the pinnacle and summit of all things in alignment.  There were no mysteries or enigmas, there was simply her.  The center of the universe.

     "Mother Buddha, I come to you a broken humble man.  I beseech your grace in search of an answer that plagues upon my wretched soul."  The words fell from the boy's lips, for he was but a child before the presence of such beauty.  He struggled to contain his tears as he continued in his request.  "I have traveled far from worlds to worlds in search of your enlightened spirit, so that I may find and be a part of the peace that surrounds you."

     "What is it that you ask of me, child." Her words soothed him in their calmness.  It was as if the very world around him spoke in unison as one single voice.  Their reverberation could be felt through his very skin, and their warmth touched him deeply.

     "I wish to know, Mother Buddha, what is the purpose to love?"  Marwani spoke apprehensive of being shunned for such an insolent selfishly pessimistic question.  "We give of ourselves, yet our heart breaks and our spirits fracture for reasons uncontrollable to us.  Why is our love not returned in kind?  Why do we, the heartbroken, suffer so?"

     

   

     "It is much easier to hate then it is to love.  For love requires sacrifice; it asks of us to give a piece of ourselves unconditionally.  Without any expectation of ever receiving the same in return.  To give of one's self is to fragment their soul as a sacrificial gift.  And what fills that missing sliver?  It is the void of empty sorrow.  If the gift is not returned in kind then the sea of sadness overflows the void and fractures the heart even more." Buddha Satra spoke in her divine personage while sitting in meditation within the garden of tranquility.  "Expect nothing of this world, and the sorrow fades.  Open up to the universe and find a greater love."

     "But how can I move forward on the path of peace if I have not been compensated for the wrong placed upon my heart?" Marwani spoke between his falling tears.  "Where is my justice."

     "Love can not be judged upon metal scales of justice.  For love is not an object of physical value.  It is simply a gift that one bestows from one heart to another.  To criticize it harshly is to weigh oneself's heart on the scale and judge it accordingly for its worth; and if you were willing to do so then you have already placed value on its life.  By the taking of it."  Buddha Satra spoke with empathetic understanding to the plight of the young man's pain.  "The path of enlightenment is to calm the roaring sea within. And to let go of your frailties, and accept your divine humanity.  You are the lathe that plies the wood of this greater universe which you give shape to, through peaceful enduring love."

     "Forgive me, great mother Buddha, for not understanding the ways of this world, and bothering your meditation with such childish questions.  My journey was long in travel and brought me only closer to my sadness, for I have failed to be a better person and walk the path of enlightened wisdom."  Marwani wiped the tears from his eyes and he bowed with deep honor and prepared to leave in solitude.

     "Your journey has ended here for a reason, child, for it is not at its end but its beginning.  Come sit and rest your weary bones so that we may together bring you to enlightened spirit.  For tranquility is a path never taken alone, but experienced in the togetherness of all things living."  Buddha Satra spoke her Dharma beneath the great tree and smiled in grace.

Author's Note

It is not my hope to offend those of the Buddhists faith but simply present an alternate telling of its wisdoms. I hope it inspires conversations and warm thoughts on a belief system that speaks to our eternal yearning to find peace within.

Reviews

[Marina]

You ask a very interesting question with this write, Carlos. If females are supposed to have a more motherly and caring touch, how much extra peace would they bring to Buddhism itself? Can it's teachings ever be more refined and graceful with such a feminine touch? Who knows. Personally, I think the peace and wisdom that is contained in its teachings is one of the better examples of religion that we humans have on offer. So anything that teaches peace, love, respect, harmony and inner wisdom and contentment can only be a good thing. Your description and the way you weave your tale makes for a most enjoyable read. 💛

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Marina, for your review of this story. Your assessment is exactly the conversation I ask of the reader. We as men, and I understand I make a generalized statement, love much differently then women do. One of the most defining qualities in womanhood is the ability to empathize, or love. They nurture and create. From them life springs forth. They have an innate and profound understanding of life growing within. In the aspect of man we are protectors, hunters, gatherers. Our capacity to love though strong is not shaped as emotionally invested as women. It is not to say all men are more instinctual and base in their emotions, we just tend to think of other things in our fatherly qualities. I grapple with this question because how much more different would the world be if women were in charge. Would there still be war, famine, poverty, climate change, etc. Would racism exist in a world ruled by women or be less prevalent? It depends on the individual capacity to love, understand, and care. Not all men have those qualities equal to women because we lack the understanding of what it is like to have a life growing within us. That most human connection of bonding on a deeper level that is asked of women through maternal instinct. Men at times destroy the things we love because we are not nurturing animals. A woman would die before she allowed her child to be harmed, and she would do this without single hesitation. Buddha, God, the Creator we as humans define the concept as love unconditional and pure. Women create and life springs forth from within them. They are a living universe unto themselves. Marwani cared only of his self interests and emotional attachment. Buddha loves all even the one who caused harm, and sees value in all life. One can not reach Nirvana, heaven, until one becomes love itself. And only a creator can fully embrace its understanding of love because it springs forth from within them in life. It is why poems, songs, stories are written. To eulogies and give praise to love. I speak from bias mind I know, but I wish to understand these things better. So that I may love better. Thank you, Marina, for the kindness of your review and enlightened thoughts of this story.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Carlos! :)
It feels nice to sit in the shade. This seems like a great religion to practice during the summer. Haha
I can't say that I know much about this Buddhism, beyond Chinese giving money to statues in yellow temples, buying luck like the romans did before Jesus "saved" them. Some of my favorite people keep this as tradition, quite a bit like throwing coins into a wishing well, and not at all resembling a yearning for nirvana. Which reward would you choose, Carlos, eternity or oblivion?

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Hi Matt, hope you are doing well. It's a shame I have to choose. And the choices given sure are not enough. I would choose the gray area in between. The place where I am simply remembered for being a good person. Not perfect, just good. In my research on Buddhism I found there are 3 main variations. They are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Each have their distinctive practices and beliefs that are similar in some ways and different in others. Vajrayana is associated with Tibetan practices. Mahayana is closely associated with Zen Buddhism. Theravada is aligned with Indian culture. If I'm not mistaken here in the states they tend to practice the zen version, though there are some theravada temples as well. It's a fascinating beliefs system that does not recognize a God but instead an enlightenment of the inner spirit. Spent a couple of hours on YouTube documentaries on the subject and reading articles on its beliefs. I am in no way an expert and more a minor novice. And I sure as hell don't want to be reincarnated over and over again to simply attain a sense of spiritual balance. But it is beautiful in its teachings much like all the other main religions. I just prefer science and an agnostic view. Honestly I myself don't know anyone who practices Buddhism. I have a cousin who is Muslim, and an uncle who is Jehovah Witness. A few Christians and catholic cousins. And my mom dabbled a bit in the LDS. But if given a choice I would rather sit here and converse with you my friend on the mysteries of the universe. Hahaha. I try not to be too judgemental on faith because whatever brings a person closer to being just a better human being, then I'm all for. But with that being said I was an alter boy at a catholic church where the priest was a little to touchy feely for my liking when I was growing up. Didn't exactly endear my to the faith all that much. And don't get me started on those little wafer breads at Sunday mass, yuck. Hahaha.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Omg, I forgot thank you so much for reading my story.

[mattavelli]

Sure, make up your own reward. That's not cheating... Haha
The Buddhism that I'm familiar with has lots of gods, and bald monks. I'll Google it.
I'm sorry your priest touched you. It seems access to young boys is a draw for that profession, and they've paid billions to keep it that way. Its not your fault. He was ill.
A friend invited me to go to church with him once. We were around age 8. I don't really remember much of it, so I could have been molested and not known it. But it wasn't a catholic church. I remember they gave me a paperback copy of the new testament, and my friend was given $10 in "bible bucks" for bringing me along. They had a gift shop where he could spend it. The guy who gave the money made a show of it for me, but I never went back, let alone recruit my classmates for him.
My sister joined the catholic church when she married. After they divorced I asked her if she was still catholic, and she didn't answer, just looked pissed.
You show me some religious beauty, and I'll reframe it and show you fearmongering or death worship. Haha

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I should clarify one thing, he didn't molest me but sure did a lot of rubbing my shoulders and back. I was about 12 and an alter boy. It just seemed very creepy to me back then and now looking back at it. Had my first communion and baptism in the catholic church. Then after my mom got tired of that she dragged us to the Jehovah Witness. Then after that the Mormons. I just never felt a connection to organized religion. They made me feel more like a customer then a participant. Plus I just had way too many questions then they were unwilling to answer, which ticked them off even more hahaha. Omg don't get me started on money because we used to go around selling watch tower magazine for the witnesses. Religion just played a major part of my upbringing. I can't escape the indoctrination I guess. Nothing felt more liberating then letting go of that part of my childhood. I do love the art within religious writings, but I also love Stephen King novels too. I don't see myself joining a king cult either hahaha. I'm an agnostic and proud of it.

[mattavelli]

Maybe you should create your own religion. That could be fun, and may get you a break in property taxes.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

hahahaha I would be an unkind God. And my commandments would be more like sayings from one of the characters I wrote about, Cherry Pop, the teenage Irish time traveler.