Compassion for tigers
I am concerned for a tiger. I hope he understands the sincerity of my question.
It was not intended as a trap. But he seems to have made it into one and fallen deeply into it.
The background is as follows.
A teacher (an Elephant) and student (a Tiger) have had a difference of opinion on different subjects and their relation to Buddhism. This has created strife for a long time in an online community that I have been enjoying for quite some time.
For the sake of context I will place the conversations here:
It has been said by a tiger that an elephant holds on to views that are not the teaching of the World Honored One. It has been stated by an elephant that a tiger holds on to views that are not the teaching of the World Honored One. The result to this is great suffering being caused by an elephant to a tiger and to the elephants herd by the tiger.
Can elephants and tigers free themselves from their attachment to views and end the cycle of suffering?
Gassho
Jordan
The Tiger responded:
I think that people who haven’t got enlightenment need not ask or discuss or worry about lesser problems but should ask about enlightenment.
Elephants and tigers who have got it already should make their effort to clarify to others what the method might be.
Wanting to get enlightenment by practicing Zazen, over 25 years I have come up with thousands and thousands of new ideas, competitively one after another, about how I might get my paws on enlightenment.
-End conversation-
I will not respond to this on the Masters blog because this is the exact type of thing that disrupts the community.
To the tiger I say I am sorry that you have fallen into this trap. My intention was only to free you.
I have yet to here from the elephant.
For clarification relating to what the tiger has said to me:
I am not seeking enlightenment.
I am concerned about constructing an enjoyable and valuable dialogue about Buddhism.
Great apologies to suffering tigers every ware.
Gassho
Jordan