A Question of Philosophy

Listening: There has to be a change, I'm sure. Today was just a day fading into another and that can't be what a life is for. And anything she said, well, she feels a lot better. And that's all that really matters to me.

What's my problem? Philosophy of life.

In Buddhism, there are many different sects. There's Mahayana, or the "big vehicle," that believes that everyone can attain enlightenment and that those who are enlightened should help people onto the boat of enlightenment. There's Theraveda, or the "little vehicle," that believes that only a few can attain enlightenment. And there is Zen, or Ch'an, Buddhism, which has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with self cultivation in the effort to achieve enlightenment even for just a moment in the process of things.

Now my question is, if you get three individuals in a room, shouldn't the Mahayana practitioner try to help the Theraveda and Ch'an practitioners find enlightenment, or would he just shake his head and say, "You guys are just selfish." Would the Theraveda practitioner say, "I'm just trying to find enlightenment myself. I can't really worry too much about you and guiding you." or would he say, "This is what I'm doing to try to reach enlightenment." And finally would the Ch'an practitioner say to the other two, "enlightenment isn't in the extended nirvana that you're chasing, but in a simple moment of clarity." or would he just walk off and do his thing.

I know that not everyone is Buddhist. I'm not even really Buddhist. I know that if I were a Buddhist, I'd probably be a Theraveda or a Ch'an practitioner. However, I do see the same qualities in people, or the way people conduct their lives, that I see in the different sects of Buddhism. Who's to say which way is right or wrong really, though? I just hope that the Mahayana practitioners don't lambaste me for believing what I believe or living the way I live.

I honestly hope that I live up to my nickname/handle some day. I hope to find moments of clarity in the ongoing process to make myself better, both, as a person and in my craft. But, even then, when asked what I am, I know that the only answer to the question is "me."