The Jews in the Lotus Part 3
Next up, Zalman Schachter Shalomi.
As mentioned in yesterday's blog, the first part of this long review, Zalman Schachter Shalomi gave a lecture on Jewish mysticism. Since one of the conference's goals was to the similarities between Tibetan Buddhism and Judaism, Schachter Shalomi began his lecture by contrasting the two mystical traditions. Buddhists have the goal of becoming a bodhisattva, a living buddha. For Judaism, the goal of mysticism and meditation is to come as close to G-d as possible. This is possible by knowing and practicing the right kavvanot (intentions - specific meditations) for each step of the process. Of course, Buddhists do not have the same goal because as is known, they do not believe in G-d, though they seem to believe like Jewish Qabbalists in the emptiness of this world. Also, it would appear that there is some sort of creative myth for the Tibetan Buddhists.
Of course, as with any good Jewish conversation, somewhere along the way a tangential discussion began. Schachter Shalomi, in trying to explain how angels dwell in the second of the four worlds, Beriah (asiyah, yetzirah and atzilut are the other three), used the word deva, a Sanskrit term for a Buddhist deity. This struck the Dalai Lama as strange, leading to a long discussion of angelology. However, the discussion was interrupted in the middle by a couple of the other Jewish delegates who told the Dalai Lama and the others present that this mystical tradition is not necessarily accepted by everyone, nor does it have to be accepted by anyone.
As an aside, perhaps this inability/lack of desire to accept the mystical as part of Judaism often leads to our spiritual struggles. Many of us do not have the proper outlet for our emotional ups and downs within Judaism. Life is not simply black and white, where everything fits within nice little categories. I believe that we need to emphasize at least a minimal amount of esotericism within Judaism in order to help create emotionally well-rounded, spiritual people.
The dialogue continued with a discussion of the Jewish law and its relationship to Jewish mysticism. He says following the 613 commandments lead to purification of the body, allowing the mind to reach higher levels. One's thoughts also need to be pure, for then the soul can also continue its ascent. He tries to explain to the Dalai Lama how negative thoughts are the result of impurities of the mind.
As mentioned in yesterday's blog, the first part of this long review, Zalman Schachter Shalomi gave a lecture on Jewish mysticism. Since one of the conference's goals was to the similarities between Tibetan Buddhism and Judaism, Schachter Shalomi began his lecture by contrasting the two mystical traditions. Buddhists have the goal of becoming a bodhisattva, a living buddha. For Judaism, the goal of mysticism and meditation is to come as close to G-d as possible. This is possible by knowing and practicing the right kavvanot (intentions - specific meditations) for each step of the process. Of course, Buddhists do not have the same goal because as is known, they do not believe in G-d, though they seem to believe like Jewish Qabbalists in the emptiness of this world. Also, it would appear that there is some sort of creative myth for the Tibetan Buddhists.
Of course, as with any good Jewish conversation, somewhere along the way a tangential discussion began. Schachter Shalomi, in trying to explain how angels dwell in the second of the four worlds, Beriah (asiyah, yetzirah and atzilut are the other three), used the word deva, a Sanskrit term for a Buddhist deity. This struck the Dalai Lama as strange, leading to a long discussion of angelology. However, the discussion was interrupted in the middle by a couple of the other Jewish delegates who told the Dalai Lama and the others present that this mystical tradition is not necessarily accepted by everyone, nor does it have to be accepted by anyone.
As an aside, perhaps this inability/lack of desire to accept the mystical as part of Judaism often leads to our spiritual struggles. Many of us do not have the proper outlet for our emotional ups and downs within Judaism. Life is not simply black and white, where everything fits within nice little categories. I believe that we need to emphasize at least a minimal amount of esotericism within Judaism in order to help create emotionally well-rounded, spiritual people.
The dialogue continued with a discussion of the Jewish law and its relationship to Jewish mysticism. He says following the 613 commandments lead to purification of the body, allowing the mind to reach higher levels. One's thoughts also need to be pure, for then the soul can also continue its ascent. He tries to explain to the Dalai Lama how negative thoughts are the result of impurities of the mind.
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