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 Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:14 pm
We were filling out a survey in my class, but I'd already done it in another so I was allowed to just sit. We were also filling out ballots for a Best Professor Contest. As my professor wanders around the room picking up the ballots he starts to say, "God Bless you," to each student. I ask him if this is appropriate. He replies that it's a private university. Then I say in return that I'm Buddhist. Professor says, "No you're not." "Yes I am." "No you're not." This continues for a few rounds, as I'm confused and stunned by his actions.
Then he asks me, "What was the last thing Buddha said?" I reply that I don't know. Then the professor pulls some crock answer out of his a**. From there he moves on to say that no one can be a Buddhist. Only Buddha can be Buddhist. I'm stunned and shocked by what this university professor is saying. He continues repeating himself for a few more rounds then eventually tapers off. I remain in class, shocked, flustered, and immensely confused as why that had just happened.
I've spoken to a few trusted individuals about what happened. My advisor said that such prejudice was definitely uncalled for, but that I may want to meditate on it for a few days before taking any action. If I want to, he told me that I could go to the Dean in charge of this professor and bring these actions to his attention. I feel that the professor owes me an apology, though I know that if I ask him without anyone else present he will not take me seriously and any apology he gives will not be sincere.
I'm also conflicted since I know that as a Buddhist and an individual, I should leave it behind me. It still bothers me though, and this isn't the first time he has belittled his students for being different than him.
Has anything like this ever happened to any of you? What did/would you do in a similar situation? Any advice or suggestions are welcome.
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 11:16 pm
Although his accusations and his words were both unkind and unfair, it is best to leave such a thing behind you, as you said before.
Hopefully I do not sound bitter by saying that his lack of understanding is what causes him to show little concern for your personal beliefs...but that is experience that I am pulling from my own past, and may have nothing to do with this.
The decision is ultimately yours on what you chose to do.
So far, nothing like this has happened to me in concerns to my walk in Buddhism, but sooner or later that day will come.
We all face criticism for our beliefs at some time or another, regardless of religious affiliation. As stated before, this is most likely only due to a lack of understanding from the accuser, or an unwillingness to understand. It is unfortunate, but there are many people like this in the world today.
What, per say, was his answer, if you mind me asking, in concerns to what Buddha's last words were? Of course, the statement that only Buddha can be Buddhist is rather ridiculous.
If that's the case, then only Jesus could be a Christian, no?
And Moses, Jewish?
And Mohammed Muslim?
I would not allow his lack of understanding to get to you. ^.^ heart You know the truth in your own heart, and that is what counts.
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:08 am
Kigeko has some fantastic advice and insights there! biggrin
This is an excellent opportunity for you, Scryden, to reflect upon having a precious human life. It helps in this reflection to think about your professor and imagine what it must be like to be born holding such views, and to have such disrespect for others. But do not do this reflection with a mind that thinks how great it is to be Buddhist, or how morally superior we may be for reflecting upon such things.
Also, take care not to pity your professor or think bad of him. He, like all other sentient beings, wants to be happy and free from suffering. But due to the obscurations of samsara, he holds deluded ideas to be true ideas. We all do this with different things, so it's not too difficult to relate to that, even if it's taken on such a personally shocking and flustered quality.
It may help to think of your professor as a Bodhisattva who is helping you to develop kindness towards those who may offend you, as well as to perhaps encourage you to develop non-attachment even to Buddhism itself. You do not have to tell him any of this, of course, because this is a personal affair for you alone.
But, if you do take it to the Dean, then I wish you the best of luck. I hope that you receive a sincere apology, that your professor may reflect on the error of his speech and take some step to remedy it.
May all beings have happiness and its causes.
May all beings be free from suffering and its causes.
May all beings abide in equanimity.
May all beings never be parted from upper rebirth.
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:18 am
Agreed, those are some good ideas. Time for some Metta.
And if you did want to know, apparently the last thing that the Buddha said was a bit of a speech: He reportedly described how the order of monks that'd been following him around was to carry on after he died. You know, getting ready for the grand exit by prepping those who'd be sticking around awhile longer.
The very end of the speech went thus: "Behold now, O monks, I exhort you: impermanent are all compounded things. Work out your deliverance with mindfulness (vayadhammâ samkhârâ, appamâdena sampâdetha)."
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Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:35 pm
Ligier the Green Sun Kigeko has some fantastic advice and insights there! biggrin This is an excellent opportunity for you, Scryden, to reflect upon having a precious human life. It helps in this reflection to think about your professor and imagine what it must be like to be born holding such views, and to have such disrespect for others. But do not do this reflection with a mind that thinks how great it is to be Buddhist, or how morally superior we may be for reflecting upon such things. Also, take care not to pity your professor or think bad of him. He, like all other sentient beings, wants to be happy and free from suffering. But due to the obscurations of samsara, he holds deluded ideas to be true ideas. We all do this with different things, so it's not too difficult to relate to that, even if it's taken on such a personally shocking and flustered quality. It may help to think of your professor as a Bodhisattva who is helping you to develop kindness towards those who may offend you, as well as to perhaps encourage you to develop non-attachment even to Buddhism itself. You do not have to tell him any of this, of course, because this is a personal affair for you alone. But, if you do take it to the Dean, then I wish you the best of luck. I hope that you receive a sincere apology, that your professor may reflect on the error of his speech and take some step to remedy it. May all beings have happiness and its causes.
May all beings be free from suffering and its causes.
May all beings abide in equanimity.
May all beings never be parted from upper rebirth.Like a blinding flash of lightning, you have opened my eyes, which I had closed out of ignorance and fear. heart
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:35 pm
i don't think theres anything i can add to this as kigeko and ligier said more than i would have been able to. But i hope that you take the option to just walk away from all this and ill say this without explaining why im saying this because i hope you are able to figure out why this is a good decision. but whatever happens I hope that you are able to make your decision with a clear mind and not with an upset mind.
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:25 pm
Kigeko What, per say, was his answer, if you mind me asking, in concerns to what Buddha's last words were? Of course, the statement that only Buddha can be Buddhist is rather ridiculous. If that's the case, then only Jesus could be a Christian, no? And Moses, Jewish? And Mohammed Muslim? I would not allow his lack of understanding to get to you. ^.^ heart You know the truth in your own heart, and that is what counts. I honestly don't remember his exact words, but I know that it was something that Buddha would not have said. Thank you for your kind words and wisdom. It really means a lot to me.
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:28 pm
Ligier the Green Sun Kigeko has some fantastic advice and insights there! biggrin This is an excellent opportunity for you, Scryden, to reflect upon having a precious human life. It helps in this reflection to think about your professor and imagine what it must be like to be born holding such views, and to have such disrespect for others. But do not do this reflection with a mind that thinks how great it is to be Buddhist, or how morally superior we may be for reflecting upon such things. Also, take care not to pity your professor or think bad of him. He, like all other sentient beings, wants to be happy and free from suffering. But due to the obscurations of samsara, he holds deluded ideas to be true ideas. We all do this with different things, so it's not too difficult to relate to that, even if it's taken on such a personally shocking and flustered quality. It may help to think of your professor as a Bodhisattva who is helping you to develop kindness towards those who may offend you, as well as to perhaps encourage you to develop non-attachment even to Buddhism itself. You do not have to tell him any of this, of course, because this is a personal affair for you alone. But, if you do take it to the Dean, then I wish you the best of luck. I hope that you receive a sincere apology, that your professor may reflect on the error of his speech and take some step to remedy it. May all beings have happiness and its causes.
May all beings be free from suffering and its causes.
May all beings abide in equanimity.
May all beings never be parted from upper rebirth.Wow, that's a really interesting point of view. Thank you for bringing such a perception to my attention. This means a lot to me.
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:30 pm
Byaggha Agreed, those are some good ideas. Time for some Metta. And if you did want to know, apparently the last thing that the Buddha said was a bit of a speech: He reportedly described how the order of monks that'd been following him around was to carry on after he died. You know, getting ready for the grand exit by prepping those who'd be sticking around awhile longer. The very end of the speech went thus: "Behold now, O monks, I exhort you: impermanent are all compounded things. Work out your deliverance with mindfulness (vayadhammâ samkhârâ, appamâdena sampâdetha)." That's what I thought! But I didn't want to lie, by saying it was true if I didn't know for sure. Thank you for sharing that information.
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:33 pm
Akanishi Makoto Ligier the Green Sun Kigeko has some fantastic advice and insights there! biggrin This is an excellent opportunity for you, Scryden, to reflect upon having a precious human life. It helps in this reflection to think about your professor and imagine what it must be like to be born holding such views, and to have such disrespect for others. But do not do this reflection with a mind that thinks how great it is to be Buddhist, or how morally superior we may be for reflecting upon such things. Also, take care not to pity your professor or think bad of him. He, like all other sentient beings, wants to be happy and free from suffering. But due to the obscurations of samsara, he holds deluded ideas to be true ideas. We all do this with different things, so it's not too difficult to relate to that, even if it's taken on such a personally shocking and flustered quality. It may help to think of your professor as a Bodhisattva who is helping you to develop kindness towards those who may offend you, as well as to perhaps encourage you to develop non-attachment even to Buddhism itself. You do not have to tell him any of this, of course, because this is a personal affair for you alone. But, if you do take it to the Dean, then I wish you the best of luck. I hope that you receive a sincere apology, that your professor may reflect on the error of his speech and take some step to remedy it. May all beings have happiness and its causes.
May all beings be free from suffering and its causes.
May all beings abide in equanimity.
May all beings never be parted from upper rebirth.Like a blinding flash of lightning, you have opened my eyes, which I had closed out of ignorance and fear. heart I completely agree.
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:35 pm
Hitokiri_Tsering i don't think theres anything i can add to this as kigeko and ligier said more than i would have been able to. But i hope that you take the option to just walk away from all this and ill say this without explaining why im saying this because i hope you are able to figure out why this is a good decision. but whatever happens I hope that you are able to make your decision with a clear mind and not with an upset mind. Thank you, and I think I understand. I've meditated on what happened and have put it behind me.
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:45 pm
Thank all of those who commented with such wonderful and wise advice. I really appreciate it. It's difficult for me not to slip back into my vengeful western upbringing when I have no other Buddhist or like-minded people around me.
I've meditated on what happened. I agree with what all of you said, and I am simply going to put it behind me. For in the end, it doesn't really matter does it? He has his perceptions and I have mine.
In this world I will continue to come across people who will persecute me for one reason or another. All I can do is not let it bother me and hope that the accusers will realize what they have done and strive to be better people.
My only worry now, is that this professor will continue to verbally harm others. I don't want this to happen, but what can I do?
Once again, thank you all for advising me on this issue. Every time I come across such wisdom, I feel some of that precious love for life and a tiny spark of enlightenment comes alive in me. Thank you.
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:28 pm
Scryden That's what I thought! But I didn't want to lie, by saying it was true if I didn't know for sure. Thank you for sharing that information. You're welcome. Glad I could do something for this, given all the wisdom has already been imparted. Metta! heart
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:23 pm
Byaggha Scryden That's what I thought! But I didn't want to lie, by saying it was true if I didn't know for sure. Thank you for sharing that information. You're welcome. Glad I could do something for this, given all the wisdom has already been imparted. Metta! heart Wisdom in any form is valuable, even if the giver seems to think it's not.
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:47 pm
Scryden Kigeko What, per say, was his answer, if you mind me asking, in concerns to what Buddha's last words were? Of course, the statement that only Buddha can be Buddhist is rather ridiculous. If that's the case, then only Jesus could be a Christian, no? And Moses, Jewish? And Mohammed Muslim? I would not allow his lack of understanding to get to you. ^.^ heart You know the truth in your own heart, and that is what counts. I honestly don't remember his exact words, but I know that it was something that Buddha would not have said. Thank you for your kind words and wisdom. It really means a lot to me. I am always happy to help in anyway possible. smile It can be hard to keep kindness in mind when a person so blatantly shows you none. I just tell myself... smile most people's hearts are in the right place, just not always their tongues. 4laugh
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