HoloBuddhism
by Derek Kittle

EXCERPT

Introduction

When I started thinking about this book, I felt that I was describing a new philosophy or religion. But the more I understood about what I was describing, the more I realized that all of my ‘new ideas’ were actually a part of Buddhism. I wanted to call them mine because of my attachment to myself; and to some extent, because I tend to explain them very differently from the way they are described in the Buddhist texts that I have read.

In the past, this realization would have dismayed me. The fact that I did not come up with these ideas would have lessened their value to me. But now I rejoice, even though I did not discover them first. And I will still write the book, precisely because of the differences in the way I describe the ideas. I feel that people who grew up in America will understand the concepts better through HoloBuddhism, rather than through the way they are described in most texts.

The name ‘HoloBuddhism’ comes from a union of the words holograms and Buddhism, since originally the book was going to focus on a synthesis of these two things. And now, even though the holograms have become less important to the discussion, I keep the title because I think it provides a useful analogy (And because I like it!).

As you will see, HoloBuddhism presents a complete view of reality. What I am saying is that, intellectually, it explains everything. And while the concepts are readily understandable by most people, this sort of intellectual understanding is largely meaningless: which is to say, that neither thinking nor understanding is a part of Buddhism.

The hope is that, after you understand everything, there will be no need to think about anything anymore. When focus on thought ceases, experience and practice become your way of life, and you begin to practice Buddhism. For you see, Buddhism is an experience, a practice - not a philosophical idea.

As you read this book, keep in mind that none of the writings about Buddhism or enlightenment are Buddhism or enlightenment. They are only vehicles toward the experience, just as writings about science and the nature of the universe are only metaphors of reality, and not the reality itself.

Reality can never be described. Reality just is. And if you add the word ‘now,’ you get the phrase “reality just is now,” which is what I will go on to describe in many different ways, in the hope that one of them will resonate with you. It may be summed up in a single quote: “No time, No space, No importance to human thought.”

After reading through the whole book, I suggest that you come back to the chapter on Buddhism and see if it is different the second time around.

Chapter 1
Buddhism

To begin with repetition: Buddhism is not something to think about, it is something to do. Buddhism is a practice. Enlightenment and Nirvana are experiences, not ideas. Any ideas you may have about them are what we call philosophies, and no matter how clever, they do no justice to the experience itself.

While everything you do is Zen practice, Zazen (unthinking meditation) is the “most important” aspect of your practice. I put the words “most important” in quotes, because everything is equally important to one who exists in the reality of enlightenment. But for one who is not enlightened, some things, like Zazen, are more important. Later on, you will understand what I mean by this. For now, reading two of the books in my notes, Questions to a Zen Master, and The Three Pillars of Zen, should give you a good introduction to Zazen.

the story of a cut

in good times
we laugh at
a deep cut
from broken glass
while washing dishes
always unexpected
and always on its way
it becomes
a significant event
just when we think
nothing will ever happen

and bad times
well, is there a difference
the cut still laughs
but it’s nothing
in comparison
to death starvation and disease

and why must i share
these little stories with you
you delightful creatures
who are at the same time pitiful
grasping clinging
ready to betray their closest friend
to fulfill their smallest desire

it’s because there are moments
when someone doesn’t
and they stand aside
when they could have taken
that is why
and why stories are worth telling
and finally, there is the why
as in why do things happen

in this case
a difficult phone call
was supposed to be made
to a person headed for surgery
and passive flowers were sent instead
the result – a deep cut

we are so foolish and full of self
when we think that our little stories matter
or are “real”
but we see them anyway
so, i went to the doctor
when i’d planned on the gym