MIDWESTERN BUDDHISTS TAKE AN EASTERN PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT

Practicing Buddhists in Cape Girardeau have found the city to be a welcoming one."Cape has been a remarkably open community to me," said Rob Dillon, a Zen Buddhist.Yanna Davis, a Nichiren Buddhist, agreed.The modern Zen and Nichiren Buddhist practices stem from the Japanese influence on the ancient faith.The Nichiren practice differs in that it favors chanting the phrase, "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo."That phrase, roughly translated, means "devotion to universal law of cause and effect through harmonious vibration," Davis said.Whether by daily chanting or through silent meditation, each man has the same spiritual objective: First activating their "own Buddha nature," then acting accordingly.The idea is to "be mindful" of others, because it's possible to do harm without meaning to."Everything I do in this moment will affect the next," Dillon said, discussing the idea of reincarnation. "I don't believe it indicates some transcendent life," rather "nothing we do is without consequence."Dillon's family celebrates Christian holidays, but his shrine also shares a place in the family room across from the television. Made from a simple wooden box he and his wife purchased at a thrift market, the shrine holds Asian figurines, meditation bells, incense and candles."The images are there to remind us we all have potential for enlightenment," Dillon said.Also tucked into the wooden shelves are some items that are clearly personal: a photo of a favored family dog who died, a bit of wrapping paper ribbon and pictures of the family's ancestors.Dillon maintains practicing Buddhism does not necessarily indicate a denial of other faiths or of God. "There is no conflict. The wonderful thing about Buddhism is it does not want to compete... Nothing has to be accepted on authority. Buddha never set up a religious foundation."Being Catholic, Jewish or Islamic is not an impediment to engaging in meditation, a practice common to all wisdom traditions, Dillon said.By the same token, engaging in meditation does not get in the way of faith, he said.As a Buddhist, Dillon is often invited to speak to different Sunday school classes and talk about his faith."My message is have your faith, hold it strong, but test your beliefs," he said. "Faith is more important than belief."Raised an Episcopalian, Dillon's interest in Buddhism stems back to his college days and a fascination with Japanese swordsmanship. As he grew older, he moved toward a deeper study of Asian thought."Eventually I matured enough to face the discipline," Dillon said."The goal is to constantly be aware of your physical and mental state and to acknowledge any attachments and aversions which may affect you, your conversation and demeanor," he said.Raised in Birmingham, Ala., Davis is a member of the United States chapter of Soka Gakkai International.Davis and Dillon have watched as Buddhism has become fashionable in America."I think our culture loves entertainment," Dillon said. And when celebrities indicate they've achieved some sort of happiness through Buddhist techniques, then it sparks emulation, he said.About this trend, Dillon said, "It's not harmful or good. It's just something that is."To the extent that it might lead people to examine their spiritual lives, it's a good thing. "You have to be shallow before you can be deep."But "I'm cautious in that it might feed criticism. Moralizers might get the impression that Buddhism is faddish," he said.Critics say the American influence on Buddhism is harmful, diluting Buddha's teachings.Others say the "cross-fertilization" between spiritual traditions make the practice stronger and more accessible in the modern era. Davis says U.S. influence is not negative, but natural."As Buddhism moves from country to country, it takes on the flavor of the region," he said.

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

1 First Noble Truth: Suffering exists.

2 Second Noble Truth: There is a reason for suffering.

3 Third Noble Truth: There is a way to end suffering.

4 Fourth Noble Truth: The way to end suffering is to go through the Eightfold Path.

To each of these Noble Truths the Buddha assigned a specific task that the practicioner is to carry out: The first is to be comprehended, the second is to be abandoned; the third is to be realized; the fourth is to be developed.

The Eightfold PathThe Buddha's path to end suffering involves discipline of both thought and action. In order to follow it many Buddhists find a teacher to guide them, and once they have listened and understood the meaning of the path they try to practice it. Particularly in Theravada Buddhism this is the way to nirvana.1. Right Views -- knowing and understanding the Four Noble Truths.2. Right Thoughts -- letting go of want and desire, and acting with kindness o avoid hurting anything.3. Right Speech -- telling the truth, speaking kindly and wisely.4. Right Action -- not stealing or cheating.5. Right Livlihood -- earning a living that does not cause bloodshed or harm to others.6. Right Effort -- encouraging and developing positive thoughts in order to keep to the path.7. Right Mindfulness -- being aware of thoughts and actions that affect the world now and in the future.8. Right Concentration -- this is the peaceful state of mind that arises through correct practice of the Eightfold Path.

Definition of termsDharma: The cosmic law underlying all existence; with the Buddha and the Sangha (the community of believers), one of the Three Treasures of the faith.Enlightenment: An awakening to the true nature of reality; a little below Nirvana, which is the end of desire and the illusion of selfhood.Karma: Universal law of moral cause and effect that governs rebirth and the physical world.Koan: A seemingly paradoxical statement used as a training device in Zen practice; it is meant to force the mind to abandon logic.Nirvana: The cessation of desire and liberation from the cycle of rebirth that is the goal of Buddhism's spiritual practice.Samsara: The cycle of birth, death and reincarnation that Buddhists seek to escape.Sunyata: Emptyness; the belief that all phenomena are dependent on and caused by other phenomena, thus without intrinsic essence.Yajra: Sanskrit for lightning, a symbol of enlightenment. A dorje, or stylized lightning bolt, is used with a bell in Tibetan Vajrayana rituals.