The Intention of No Intention
Just as the Moon has no intention to cast its reflection on the lake,
the lake has no intention to hold the reflection of the Moon.
Thus, I have heard “There being this, that exists; with the arising of this, that arises. There not being this, that does not exist; with the cessation of this, that ceases”. In other words, because this is - that is, because this is not - that is not. Upon hearing this seeming simple thought, it was said that one of Buddha’s first initiates was immediately enlightened.
The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Dharma Sutta is a Buddhist text that is considered by Buddhists to be a record of the first teaching given by Buddha. We know this teaching as the Four Noble Truths. This teaching contains the core Buddhist concepts of the Middle Way and impermanence. Yet, at its essence The Four Noble Truths teaches the concept of dependent origination. Because we think or believe certain thoughts, we create actions that result in the conditions for contentment or anguish.
Dependent arising, interdependence, dependent origination or causes and conditions. These are all descriptions of the same core teaching. From the Four Noble Truths, from The Rice Seedling Sutra, from The Flower Sermon and from many other teachings we presented with numerous openings to enter and comprehend this essential concept.
On the surface, we find that we can grasp the foundation of this theory, but the challenge is holding and applying it to daily life conditions. Specifically, many times it is very difficult to comprehend the consequence of other’s thoughts and actions on our view of “reality” or “truth”. From news articles, to conversations, to people telling us stories about beliefs that we know are contradictory to facts. The truth, it seems is transitory and difficult to find. Nagarjuna developed a thesis on this topic where he discusses what he calls the two truths or two realities – a conventional or nominal truth and the ultimate truth.
It is said that when we seek the Buddha, we are seeking the ultimate truth. It is common for Buddhists to say that they take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. For my own understanding of the term refuge, I view it as an intentional action of not escaping, hiding, or denying but going towards and being absorbed by ultimate reality. But there is a catch, there is always a catch; meet the Ego. Buddhist teachings often discuss controlling or “seeing” the Ego, some even discuss eliminating the Ego. Intuitively, we know that the Ego has negative and positive aspects, and that shedding of the negative aspects may be a wonderful aspiration but may not be entirely possible. One of the characteristics of the negative aspects is the Ego is as the Ultimate Separator. Separation is one the principle causes of disorder and dissolution within the individual mind and society.
Thich Nhat Hanh teachings include phases such as, “Buddhism is made of non-Buddhist elements” and “a flower is made from non-flower elements, but when we look more deeply, we see that everything else in the cosmos is in that flower”. When I read his words, it reminds me of where I go for “refuge”, where I go to be absorbed into the ultimate reality. It’s a place of no Ego and no separation. It’s a place where Interdependence and Dependent Arising are not merely concepts but can be seen clearly, as if looking through a brilliant diamond.
This place is Nature or more accurately, the Natural World. I spend a lot of my “free” time watching documentaries or reading about Nature. Especially, what we call the Animal Kingdom. Look closely, they have many lessons to teach us. The Bee’s, the Elephants, the Beavers, and the Insects all have something to share.
The Bee is known as the Great Pollinator. The Bee has no intention of pollinating, it is only seeking nectar for itself and the colony in the hive. When the Bee finds nectar, it enters a flower where the pollen sticks to the Bee, then the next flower picks up the pollen from the Bee. Setting in motion the next generation of flowers.
The Elephants and Hippopotamus walking or migrating through wetlands have no intention of creating islands, canals and streams that extend the wetlands area. These canals provide habitats and paths for fish and other wildlife to traverse the swamps, benefiting the survival for all surrounding life.
The Beaver, known as Nature’s Engineers. They have no intention creating a diverse ecosystem where many other plants and animals can thrive. Their goal is to build and maintain a safe lodge for themselves and their kits and yearlings.
One of the many lessons that we can take with us in these examples is that we can benefit others only when we take care of ourselves. Let me give an example from the “Human world”. When we are preparing for departure on a plane, we are instructed that in the case of an emergency we are to place the oxygen mask on ourselves, then assist children and seniors with their mask. Sounds counterintuitive, but if we become unconscious, we will be unable to assist anyone.
Then this should become part of our practice, to take care of ourselves. Whatever we call this, self-improvement, self-awareness, or enlightenment. When we take care of ourselves, with or without intention, our benefit to others is immeasurable.
The Intention of No Intention
A poem by Mark Van Dyke
After the storm, there must be some calm
When reason and logic create confusion
That is when I come back to you
My intention to hold you
My intention to never let you go
Too much to carry, thoughts are so heavy
What should I bring?
You say, “just do one thing”
Your intention to not hold me
Your intention to let me go
When the night falls you shine
Your reflection on the water
Waiting in sky, you’ve travelled so far
No intention to hold you
No intention to let you go
In gassho – Mark Van Dyke – Minister Assistant
