A Crowded World

In an article in Tea Words Volume II called "Buddhadharma in the Modern World", Master Sheng Yen remarks:

The world today has a genuine need for Buddhadharma. There are many fine things in the modern world but also, much that is less than desirable. As the world becomes smaller and more crowded, people are getting busier and busier. As a child I read a Chinese novel called Journey to the West. It is the story of a monkey with mystical, supernormal powers who accompanies his master to India to seek special teachings from the Buddha. Despite the monkey’s power, the journey is very difficult. The monkey could leap over 100,000 miles but because his master lacked that power, the journey was arduous (p.17)

Reading these words, I reflect that the word "crowded" can be a metaphor both for the world getting smaller and the idea that we live "crowded' lives. I remember once reading a prediction that with more technology, people would not need to work as many hours. In fact, more technology has simply extended the reach of people's productivity to the point where they are simply working longer hours and having even more tasks to accomplish. Mater Sheng Yen compares this phenomena to that of "Journey to the West", where one person's arduous journey is actually another person's single step. What it reminds me of, in fact, is that we often don't realize how much we are asked to do that may exceed our own bodily capacities. Sometimes I compare this situation to that of a frog that is slowly boiling in water that is gradually increasing. The frog is barely aware that it is in a bad position until it is much too late.

Meditation seems to be so essential to my life, particularly when the pace of life is so great. For example during tonight's sitting, I experienced the pains of living a sedentary life; back pain and the usual soreness and tightness that comes with being in one place for a whole day. Yet, in sitting with that pain, I was able to drop a lot of racing thoughts, and I felt a sort of quiet which allowed me not to be so driven by all the thoughts. It turns out that the "crowds" are really in our own minds, and when we are not able to find a place to run away to, it's best to find refuge in the mind itself.

Even on a crowded bus, it's possible not to be so driven by crowds; not to always react or respond to everything, but to illuminate one's reactions with a state of calm.

Sheng Yen (2013). Tea Words Volume II Elmhurst NY: Dharma Drum Publications