God, Dharma and Law

Today's reading from the Old Testament's Jeremiah 17 makes me smile. Doom and gloom preaching? No, it is because the LORD seems to be interchangeable with dharma/dhamma or "that which upholds, supports or maintains the regulatory order of the universe" or means Law or Natural Law (Wikipedia).

 

Thus says [Dharma]:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from [Dharma].
He is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste,
a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the man who trusts in [Dharma],
whose hope is [Dharma].
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, [Dharma], alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.

I mean not to blasphemy, but merely to point out that God who countless generations of human beings try to understand is beyond the comprehension of our human mind. We have insights and teachings from those who have spent their lives in service to God or have been gifted by sudden epiphany, presence or revelation, yet still we cannot speak his sacred name. And yet, He knows our heart.

 

Meditating in a Buddhist temple in Thailand i swiftly came to the conclusion that our mutual religious goals were the same: peace, compassion, wisdom. Could the Christian God be at the end of the meditator's path to enlightenment? There is no strength in the flesh, or material things, for they are not permanent and turn to dust. Promises of rewards according to the merit of ones deeds sounds very much like karma. I have no intention of saying they are the same. And yet ... God in all things. Dharma in all things. The great mystery that in utter humbleness we serve, as we serve our fellow man as the image and likeness of God.

 

Of course, there are ceremonial, theological and cultural differences (to be seen in the Roman Church abroad as well). I recall the Dalai Lama here in Amsterdam saying that his goal was not to have everyone run off and become a Buddhist. He did however hope that we might all come closer to that which units us as creatures of wisdom and compassion: for us to seek that in our own religions and faith. He urged us to perfect these great gifts here and now and through some (or great!) personal effort. A monk has more time to meditate, yet doing good is a question of priorities and motivation for each individual. The wisdom and compassion of God is then not for a chosen few, but for the whole of His creation, me thinks, though some may be more ripe for His gifts than others. I pray that the state of Israel might now remember this, as well as the leaders and peoples of Iran (and the European Union, America, China, etc. etc.), for when we trust in the Lord [Dharma] and walk in His [its] path, we are blessed.

 

Deo gratias.