Not for Buddha, but for Myself
Sungwoo Park
The fundamental principle of Transcendentalism lies on the idea that individuals are innately good beings and should be considered as significant parts of nature. Champions of this belief often claim that social institutions have prohibited many from acknowledging their own individualities. They also argue that every individual is unique and is like a root of a plant that encompasses all men. For instance, Emerson claims that an ideal man is “he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” Moreover, Thoreau once stated that people should “regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of nature.” He later pointed out the significance of walking because this action often allows an individual to profoundly meditate and reflect on one’s life. For me, visiting temples and traveling by myself have always been my ways of praising myself for success, scolding myself for mistakes, and retracing my steps.
Buddhism itself is a religion of meditation. Followers never deified Buddha as a holy figure but respected him as a wise mentor who provided guidance for an individual to contemplate. As Buddha said that conquering oneself is harder than conquering others, his words place much emphasis on one’s inner self, and temples always provide a perfect environment for one to completely calm down and put down all burdens that one had from such a rigorous life. As soon as I place my feet into a temple, I am more comfortable than when I am mingled with many people in urban areas because temples are often located in the wilderness to sink into nature. Since a temple is always silent with only birds humming and wind gently dragging the leaves, this peaceful environment becomes a spiritual space just for me and Buddha. Once I reach the Holy Land, a metaphor used by Thoreau to depict the discovery of a self-identity, I cannot see anyone but Buddha who has always been willing to listen to me. For me, Buddha is not a genie who grants my wishes; he is simply a person who endlessly would listen to my complaints, hopes, and he is my best friend whom I can confide my secrets with. In Walking, Thoreau considers people who leisurely stroll as Holy-Landers because successfully meditating and reflecting upon oneself require much energy and perseverance. Reaching the level where one can proudly detect one’s individuality and rectify and strengthen one’s weaknesses, according to Thoreau, is a holy process of deification. When I pray to Buddha as I visit temples, I am brought to a different world. I subconsciously think of every bad sins I have committed, and Buddha, as a sage and a teacher, helps me admonish the devil and strengthen my weak ego and will. As walking also makes one think of what one hopes to achieve in the future as a strong individual of such a rigorous, competitive society, praying and meditating allows me to cleanse my contaminated thoughts and plan out my bright future. Therefore, as Buddhist meditation invigorates my soul, allows me to reflect upon and reprimand myself, and provides me the correct path towards success as a stalwart individual, my “walking” is communicating with Buddha at a temple.
The primary role of a religion is to provide reliance and leeway for people who are arduously fighting against such a demanding society that asks everyone to fulfill his or her responsibilities. One of the main reasons Transcendentalists were opposed to the establishment and development of social organizations was that these groups inevitably formed social hierarchies that forced individuals to be complacent and simply follow commands from their bosses. Individuals could live on just by doing what others told them to do, and people gradually lost interests in themselves but solely cared about fulfilling their daily responsibilities assigned by others. As a student, I was forced to become a part of an educational institution. I have had abided by the strict school rules, have lived to complete assignments, and have survived in an institutionalized society where several letters called grades are the only determinants that judge an individual. Thus, visiting a temple helps me escape from such an oppressive society. Instead of simply memorizing mathematical formulas, I focus on every aspects of nature, and I only think about myself. I cannot think of how much workload I have left, but I, like how Transcendentalists emphasized the notion of individualism, delve into my true self; I always observe Sungwoo not as a student but as a 17-year old teenager trying to discover the appropriate route towards success. People always need some break and should not get brainwashed by instructions and assigned life routines. As a result, Buddha teaches me every time I visit the temple not to become a lifeless conformist to oppressive society, but to maintain my ego and identity to move on successfully and to inspire others. Consequently, Buddhist meditation is walking of my life.
“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Even though humanity has been institutionalized and has advanced as a single unity, Transcendentalists argued for decades that every individual should take responsibility of oneself and prioritize oneself over others. Like Thoreau, many have their own actions that cleanse their souls and make them reminisce the past to enhance themselves in the future. As the only child of a Buddhist family, my family naturally integrated Buddhist principles in our daily lifestyle, and Buddha and his religion eventually became an integral part of my life. Thus, like sauntering to the Holy Land, Buddhist meditation has helped me become a civilized, prudent human being.
