Reconciling Anger Towards Pope Benedict

If Buddhism is attractive, it's only because it suggests that by belonging to it you can touch the infinite, and you can have joy without concrete religious obligations. It's spiritually self-indulgent eroticism.''

At a simple glance, this statement reflects an arrogant, disrespectful and self-centered individual. One that is blind by ones own mental afflictions. Hard to imagine that this is words of the highest nobility and intelligence that the Catholic Church has to offer. Of course, as many of you may know those words were spoken by none other than Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benidict XVI.

How are Buddhists to embrace and respect such an individual?  After all, we are human beings, having pride in what we do and believe. I was delighted to find out that Buddhist leaders around the world showed such respect in offering congratulatory jesters to the new Pope.  His Holiness, The Dalai Lama is one such leader that extended a hand of acceptance to the new leader of the Catholic world.

One thing that drew me to Buddhism, almost a decade ago was that it was a positive gesture to respect different paths.  Every Buddhist priest, lama, scholar and teacher that I have ever encountered has always encouraged respect and honor for other disciplines, beliefs and practices.  The idea that we are all on this planet trying to make our journey and find our way the best we can, lends itself to a compassionate position.

Pope Benedict, as Cardinal Ratzinger seems to know so much about Catholic doctrine, but seems to not embody the correct noble approach to love, compassion and understanding that it crucial to good human relations.  I feel his past comments with regard to Buddhism are reflective of the many hard-minded leaders of the Christian faith today.  They are so arrogant to think that their way is the only one and that it is superior.  I guess it is one reason I could never find myself as a practicing Christian.

There exists so much uncertainty in our existence that many of those, like Cardinal Ratzinger, lack something instrumental to understanding reality.   Not to say such people don’t have a real beliefs or understanding, but that they are so arrogant in their positions that they berate and condemn other for theirs.  I am sure it seems like I am condemning the Pope for his beliefs, but I am just trying to understand.  I guess, to say the least, it doesn’t appear representative of the teachings of Christ.

I must be clear. When I first heard, what I call, nonsensical rhetoric of then Cardinal Ratzinger, I was troubled and agitated.  I felt anger toward the new Pope and those that elected such a man.  It seemed to me as though a divisive and irrational individual of this nature had no place being given the leadership of such a respectful religion as Catholism.  My agitation soon turned to understanding and calm after reading about H.H. The Dalai Lama’s good words toward the new Pope. I guess my own human nature expected nothing more than respectful silence.  Instead, he responded with words of encouragement in the most honorable way, leaving anger, disdain or condemnation absent. I wish I could say this much for myself.

Looking at the situation now, it shows I have so much to learn.  I am grateful that His Holiness responded in such a way.  Not that one could really expect any different, but still the same, I am happy he did.  It is something to behold as a follower of the Buddhist Way.  I hope that someday I can learn such temperance, compassion, and understanding while remaining clear of anger when encountering such adversaries.

So to present a question, can we truly embrace those that condemn us or is it an unrealistic feat to attempt? Are we just kidding ourselves when we celebrate for those that despise us?  ~Amadeus

“Compassion and understanding are my brooms to remove the obstructions that plague my path.”

Comments

[James]

I felt similar anger upon hearing his ignorant statments but I am now learning to let that go and realize that his statements can not treaten or hurt me. Thank-you for this post.

[steve]

As a Christian (Presbyterian), I too am unspeakably weary of the disdainful things Christians all too often say about other traditions. This statement from the former Cardinal Ratzinger is new to me, but not surprising, given his hyper-orthodoxy and the Vatican office(s) he held accordingly.

I think a way of dealing with statements like these, is to try to imagine oneself into the mindset -- the thought processes -- that produced them, and, if possible, then to address the *mis*understandings that grew out of those thought processes. Not that I know what went/goes on in the new pontiff's mind -- I certainly do not -- but I'd hazard a *guess* that the comment about "spiritually self-indulgent eroticism" comes from Buddhism's intense concern and focus on mindfulness (of body and mind in particular). So much of Christianity in general has seemed to be so *anti-* body ... perhaps this is where the misunderstandings arise. That, anyhow, would be my guess ... and if I were privileged (or cursed!!) to be in a dialogue with the new pontiff, and/or any other Christians who expressed an opinion like that, that's probably where I'd start -- by asking them what led them to that conclusion (if it were possible), and otherwise my making that kind of guess and then trying, gently, patiently, to address that.

I so frequently see persons of other faith traditions make a summary statement about my own, and even when their intentions are the most generous imaginable, it is *so* easy to see how and where that person is an "outsider." If you add in the Pope's religio-centrism (did I just make that phrase up? :-P), i.e. *not* particularly generous attitude toward differing traditions, it's going to be even more obvious.

[Tom]

I think the quote is surprizingly crude, and bracing for that reason.

I do wonder what comprises his sense of Buddhism. If Ratzinger was attempting to be forthright, then I cannot, myself, disrespect his words.

I think that Buddhism in the West can seem to be facile and decadent to outsiders whose knowledge is limited to unfortunate glimpses.

The Pope has nothing directly to do with Buddhists, and since he is there for life, I think he should be given Buddhist Absolution. I am sure Benedict recognizes that his new job requires that he find the better angels of his nature. I hope they are there to be found.

[ray]

Below is the Buddhist Peace Fellowship's response to the new Pope: -

BPF's Letter to Pope Benedict XVI

May 1, 2005

Your Holiness,

As you assume leadership of the Catholic Church, we at the Buddhist Peace Fellowship would like to offer you heartfelt congratulations and our warmest wishes for the future. This is a critical time in history, and wise leadership in all our religious traditions is necessary. What a wonderful, rare, and challenging opportunity you have to serve as a compassionate shepherd during these troubled times — not only to Catholics, but to people of many religious and secular backgrounds throughout the world.

The Buddhist Peace Fellowship, founded in 1978, is an affiliate of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. Our mission is to be a catalyst for socially engaged Buddhism, and to help all beings liberate themselves from the suffering we experience in our lives, in our relationships, institutions, and social systems. Through the years many of us have participated in interfaith conversations, including Buddhist-Christian and Zen-Catholic dialogues at all levels. We have a great appreciation for the beauty of the Catholic faith and for many Catholics’ passionate dedication to the work of peace. In particular we acknowledge the spiritual healing work of your predecessor, the late Pope John Paul II.

We come together from many diverse Buddhist heritages to wish you a long, productive, and blessed incumbency. Some of us were born into Buddhist traditions, but, particularly in the West, we often come to Buddhism from other faiths and creeds. Our path is, as you may know, a way of life that aims to end suffering. We have tools of faith, devotion, and meditation that are old and well fashioned. The Buddhist path is complete unto itself, but we recognize that many practitioners wish to honor and continue their own precious and long-held faith traditions. Some of us were raised as Catholics, and some continue to adhere to our Catholic faith at the same time that we bring Buddhist practices such as mindfulness and meditation into our life.

While there are ways in which our religious traditions and beliefs are different, those who follow Buddhist teachings share fundamental commitments with Catholic sisters and brothers. We affirm our solidarity with your opposition to war. In our tradition, we frequently refer to the Buddha’s teaching, “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but by love alone does it cease.” We share a profound "reverence for life," as Schweitzer put it so well, and bear the mutual wish that precious human life not be taken from anyone in the name of the state. There are many other areas in which Catholics and Buddhists shall continue to work together, including ending the death penalty, supporting nonviolent methods for resolving conflicts, and ending poverty.

We also know that there are wonderful teachings which many Western Buddhists can learn from the Church — commitment to the poor and the ceaseless work of charitable organizations; well-developed systems of education, healthcare, and other social services; and countless ways in which the Church has freely offered her deep wisdom and great compassion in the lives of millions.

We express our special gladness that you have chosen the name Benedict. The living heritage of Pope Benedict XV has special significance for the Buddhist Peace Fellowship — Benedict XV’s strong voice for peace during World War I coincided with the beginning of our parent organization, the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, founded in 1919, as a response to the horrors of war in Europe. We are heartened to know that the Catholic Peace Fellowship and other religious peace fellowships are partners with us in working toward a more peaceful and just society.

There is much we can say to each other. We acknowledge that in the past there have been misunderstandings between our traditions, as there have been among the world’s other great religions. We offer this letter in the spirit of affirming a dialogue already well-begun, grounded in
loving speech and understanding. In the words of your first blessing as Pope Benedict XVI, may we together continue with perseverance and good works.

We include you in our daily meditations and will send blessings in the spirit of lovingkindness — as we vow to awaken, together, to the truth of our interconnected nature.

Sincerely and respectfully,

BPF Executive Director

Maia Duerr

BPF Staff

Diana Lion

Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke

BPF Board Members

Joshin Althouse

Trena Cleland

Anushka Fernanadopulle

Anchalee Kurutach

Sozan Schellin
BPF International Advisory Council Members
James Baraz

Michele Benzamin-Miki

Sylvia Boorstein

Melody Ermachild Chavis

Zoketsu Norman Fischer Roshi

Rev. Tova Green

Jill Jameson

Kenneth Jones

Ruben Habito

Rev. Taigen Leighton

David Loy

Rev. Patricia Enkyo O’Hara

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim

Caitriona Reed

Donald Rothberg

Thanks to Gary Gach and Alan Senauke for input on this letter.

"Separation of Church and State" means: Civil Marriage is a Civil Right
and Religious Marriage is a Religious Choice. "Separate but Equal" is a
myth of the fearful.

[incewenry]

Whatever is not nailed down is mine. Whatever I can pry up is not nailed down.
-- Collis P. Huntingdon, railroad tycoon

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