Tag: Buddhism

“Yinney” Chapter 27

Path Without End

6000317729_e6e3d2bb13_b Bubba was stunned. “He fulfilled it,” he kept repeating over and over. No one had answered this before. At least not in a way that made any sense. Most had told him it was a progression God was taking man through, like a learning curve. When man failed to succeed in the first covenant, then God provided a better one. But this sloth was saying it was God’s plan all along! It was God’s plan for man to fail and God to fulfill? God said man would fail and then he fulfills? God did not replace the Old Covenant? It was perfect as it was? It was godly, of God, not a mistake?

Yinney added more at just the right time, “Not only did man fail over and over again, but he needed to fail, so he would finally realize he could never save himself. And even today people still believe they can be good enough and earn heaven. It is a salvation by works, not by love and grace. Even with all the evidence of the Old Testament records, and the history of human nature, man still thinks if his good out weighs his bad, he goes to heaven, but that is not the real problem. The real problem is, how can a person ever get rid of a single sin, except to be forgiven, by God? If you only sinned once in your whole life, how could that sin ever be gone?”

Yinney continued, “The question is not about how to be good enough, because we already know the answer is that we cannot! But the real question is, how do we have our sins forgiven and cast away into forgetfulness? How do we get free from even a single sin? Will prayer do it? Will a prayer wheel do it? Only God can decide if we are forgiven, and he decides the ground rules for that forgiveness. And that is what God made available to man, by faith in Christ, when he fulfilled the Old Covenant for us, and ushered in the New Covenant of faith and grace.”

Bubba was silent for a while before finally speaking again. “Your words are very profound,” he said. “I have always been interested in the prophetic. Can you give me an example of how you say, it was prophesied from the beginning that God would fulfill?”

“Oh yes!” Yinney almost shouted in his excitement. “I’ll give you two at the very beginning. So of course these will be Old Testament scriptures. As you know, the Hebrews say it all started with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, when they disobeyed God and ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Now they were no longer in a state of innocence, but had to be accountable for their sins. But God immediately begins to prophesy his future salvation when he is passing judgement, and they are about to be exiled from the garden.”

“When speaking to the snake, in Genesis 3:15, God tells the future when he says: ‘And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her off spring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.’ God speaks of a child to come, ‘He’; and ‘He’ will strike your head. Later prophecies even state ‘He’ will be a descendant of King David! And will be born in Bethlehem. It’s very specific.”

“I am aware that Jesus was known as the son of David,” Bubba acknowledged.

Another excellent historical event according to the Hebrews, is when God comes to their forefather, Abraham, and he tells Abraham they will enter into a Covenant, and he is to make the preparations. This is all recorded in Genesis 15. It starts in verse 9.

So Abraham makes all the preparations. Several animals was to be sacrificed and laid open for the ritual, a blood covenant. The strongest of covenants. But in verse 11, vultures begin trying to attack the carcasses and Abraham is fighting them off as he waits on God to appear! But in verse 12 we read the sun was going down and Abraham fell into a deep sleep! And a terrifying darkness came down over him! Had the Covenant depended on Abraham’s strength and ability to do good, it would have totally failed! Abraham believed, but he was weak in his flesh. So when God shows up he begins prophesying the future of the nation that will be born of him, Israel. And Abraham woke up in time to see a smoking firepot, and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. Jesus stood in that place for mankind, not Abraham. That’s verse 17.”

“Abraham would continue to have both failures and successes. The nation of Israel, and the descendants of Abraham, would continue to have both failures and successes. But in the appointed time, the prophesied Messiah himself was born, and he did not fail. He fulfilled the Old Covenant we continually fail, and he ushered in forgiveness of sin, and grace through his blood. Not the blood of animals. They could never pay for sin, but the blood of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.”

Several monkeys started clapping as Yinney spoke those final words. They had been so transfixed by the story, that when the exciting conclusion was spoken, they were moved to applaud.

“It is a wonderful story,” Bubba said, “But we are not convinced of ‘soul’. We seek a Nirvana where the cycle of fleshly cravings and earthly pain is finally broken. We are no longer born again and again to go through this same cycle, because we have finally let go of all selfness, no permanent self. We successfully attain the Eight-fold path, and this earthly cycle finally ends.”

“Yes,” Yinney said. “Christianity is the only faith where salvation, or heaven, or Nirvana, is based not on our works. It is based on our faith and God’s love. You have your own form of perfection you strive for, and if you’re finally good enough, the cycle will finally end. You receive your release. Do you think you can ever be good enough, Bubba?”

Bubba countered with, “Do you think you can ever love enough?”

“No,” Yinney plainly stated. “I no longer have a sin debt, but I have a love debt I can never repay, and that is why I am so grateful to my God for a salvation of grace. The only faith of its kind.”

Yinney and Bubba talked well into the night before finally retiring. They did so in a fellowship of mutual respect. Only time would tell if Bubba would ever decide that perhaps it was true, he would never be good enough. And perhaps this God of grace and love would speak to him too.

Ecuadorian Howler Monkey 4

“Yinney” – Chapter 26

Path Without End

maxresdefault “What does your Hebrew Book teach about karma?” Bubba asked. And so it began, fellowship / communion around the discussion of faith, spirit, soul; things of an unseen and eternal nature.

“May we first pray for light?” Yinney asked.

“Light?” Bubba repeated as a question. The other monkeys hanging around looked up at the sky and light bleeding through the trees and scratched their heads.

“Yes, light,” Yinney repeated. “The first words God revealed himself by in the Hebrew scriptures was, ‘Let there be light.’ We seek enlightenment, do we not? God reveals himself as a God who gives light, but we should ask of him.”

The small congregation of monkeys looked at each other and shrugging their shoulders, decided that made sense.

“Oh, that kind of light!” Bubba said with enthusiasm. “Yes! Please do.”

Everyone bowed their heads and Yinney began. A hush fell over the area as he prayed a few simple words, “Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, according to your will as expressed in your very first words to us, ‘Let there be light.’ Amen.”

Everyone opened their eyes. Bubba spoke. “That is very interesting,” he said. “I never gave it much thought, but that ‘is’ God’s first written verbal words according to your ancient texts.”

“Yes… it is. What do you suppose that means?” Yinney asked.

Bubba was not slow to answer, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but as I recall, according to the Hebrews, God was creating everything, so he created the lights.”

“Yes,” Yinney confirmed, “But do you suppose that is the only kind of light God was referring to? Our Father is the God of all lights. Including the light of knowledge; to know and understand. Ignorance is a form of darkness and poverty. Our God wasted no time in revealing himself as the giver of light, not darkness.”

Hhmmm, that is very good. I like that,” Bubba said. “I had not thought of it before, that God might choose his first words in Genesis very carefully, realizing he could reveal himself at that moment in a very significant way.”

“Exactly,” Yinney agreed. “But I like your question about karma, because I have always been amazed how many people in all faiths believe in this spiritual principal. My faith also believes in ’cause and effect’. Do unto others as you would have done to you. In our ancient writings it is spoken of as ‘reaping what you sow’.  It is a spiritual law, much like the physical law of gravity, it automatically works, and is no respecter of persons. It shows no partiality. The rich will fall as quickly as the poor, and the predator as heavily as the leaf-eater.”

“Indeed, indeed,” Bubba said before quoting: “And here they say that a person consists of desires, and as his desire, so is his will; and as his will, so is his deed; and whatever deed he does, that he will reap.”

“Very well said,” Yinney complimented and Bubba smiled. “Good actions equals good karma, the Buddha says, correct?”

“Correct,” Bubba affirmed.

“So if there is good and bad intentions and actions, then does that not suggest there must be some form of right and wrong, moral ethics, personal judgement, a conscience, a sin and righteousness?” After dropping such a large question, Yinney slowly began reaching for his cup again, and the monkey with a watch started the stop-watch to time the action.

“Yes. We agree there is definitely right and wrong. Such as right intention, right speech, and right livelihood.”

“The Eight-Fold Path,” Yinney stated. “I have always loved the way Buddhism describes that path. I must confess, I’m very impressed with what the Buddha was able to discern in a time period before the Covenant of Christ. In a time when even God’s chosen people were living by God-given laws and rules.”

“Yes, the Ten Commandments,” Bubba acknowledged. “But why did God change his mind? Why did he need to replace his first covenant? Did he mess up? Did he make a mistake? Why did he have to make a better way if the first way was from an all-knowing and perfect God?”

The cup had finally reached Yinney’s lips even as three monkeys were now gathered around the monkey with the watch. They intently watched, expecting Yinney to drink, but no, first he made a comment, as the seconds quickly added up. Was Yinney about to set a new record they wondered?

“Ohhh, such a great question, Bubba! I look forward to answering that!” But then he began to sip his juice. Yes, conversation with a sloth required great patience, but as a Buddhist, Bubba had patience and viewed this as a good test of his mastery.

Now the monkeys were getting very excited indeed, as it appeared Yinney was going to set a new record. His previous longest “cup from saucer to lips and back again motion” was coming up fast, and the cup had not left his lips yet! The Howlers could not help themselves as they got so excited and began howling loudly!

Yes indeed a new record was set! The cup finally landed softly on the saucer and the monkey hit the stop button. Such clapping and applause as never was heard erupted in the trees. Yinney did not seem to pay any attention, but Bubba knew what his friends were doing and simply smiled the whole time.

“The simple answer is,” Yinney began, “but oh so deep…” then he paused. Again a hush fell over the ever growing group.

“Yes…” he said again, before continuing, “Let me first say this. Our modern religion seems to have lost its way in the shallow and complex. We complicate everything, but that was not Jesus way, and neither is it mine. We have no desire for the shallow and complex, but we love the simple and deep.” Then he paused again, looking in Bubba’s eyes to see if there was understanding. Bubba was smiling.

“And so…” he continued, “the simple answer to your question, but oh so deep, is…he did not replace his first covenant. He fulfilled it! And from the beginning, he set the first covenant ‘knowing’, and ‘prophesying’, he would be the one to fulfill it, thereby ushering in his ultimate gift to man, just as planned all along. And the enemy of our soul, the most evil predator of all, never saw it coming!”

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This story brought to you by and property of : Fellowship of the White Path.

“Path Without End”

“Yinney” – Chapter 25

Path Without End

 

“Are you a spiritual teacher?” Bubba suddenly asked.

“I hear you are, too,” Yinney answered.

Bubba sat back on the limb and his demeanor became one of great interest. “Have you come to ask questions about Buddhism?”

“I have come seeking a table of fellowship,” Yinney answered. “I would like to have conversations concerning Buddhism and Christianity ‘IF’ …we can do so in an atmosphere of ‘fellowship’. In my faith ‘fellowship’ determines everything. If we can talk and share, while maintaining an atmosphere of peace and love, a true desire of knowing each other, and respect, then our conversations could bear great fruit. But if we cannot do so in such respect, if fellowship is not possible and it becomes a battle of pride, then I will take my leave, for I do not seek such things. I offer mutual respect and conversation about our favorite subjects, and to seek understanding.”

“Bubba was silent for a while, obviously in deep thought about this sloth, before asking, “And what is your faith?”

“I am a follower of Jesus the Christ and the Hebrew scriptures,” he answered.

By this time several monkeys were hanging around. The verbal drama playing out before them was the most interesting thing going on.

“I have also studied Hebrew scriptures,” Bubba said, “and we believe the Prophet Jesus was a great teacher. He is highly respected by one and all. But does not your scriptures ask, what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

“Indeed it does,” Yinney confirmed, “and if we descend into darkness I will take my leave, as I have said, but ‘fellowship and mutual respect’ is not darkness, it is light. It is sought by my faith. Some religious people push a temple, not a table. They constantly press you to come to their Church building, but I say we have Church right here. I say every action we take should be a form of Church.”

“Hhmmm,” Bubba said as he rubbed his chin. “You are different. Perhaps we could test this thing you say. I too, have no desire for battle. I am peace loving even as the Buddha taught. My ways are simple, and I do enjoy good conversation about eternal things. Perhaps we should do this?”

“We already are,” Yinney revealed with a smile. Bubba’s eyes lit up, and slowly it began, that deep laughter rolling upward out of his soul! And then all the other monkeys began leaping about and cheering! Something new, something of great interest had come to their grove of rubber trees! This would provide much entertainment for one and all, the “Conversations of Bubba and Yinney”! There would be much to think about. Boredom was broken this day, as something new had come!

“So…how does this work?” Bubba asked. “Can this nice fat limb be our table?”

“It most certainly can,” Yinney answered.

“It is done then. We shall have spiritual conversation in an atmosphere of mutual respect! Are you thirsty, my very slow friend?”

“Yes, a drink would be nice,” Yinney answered.

Bubba motioned to another monkey, asked if he would be so kind to bring some drinks, the monkey hurried off and soon returned with a pitcher of juice, two cups, and some green leaves. He set them on the limb between them, and then leaped away to hang by his tail and listen.

“Oh this is very nice. Thank you,” Yinney said. “I have been on a six day journey seeking community in the neighborhood. I only recently chose my 7th Day Tree and became a part of this area.”

“I am aware of your need to be at the same tree every seven days,” Bubba said. “It sure presents a great danger for your kind.”

“Yes, it does. Our greatest danger. But also a great honor to bless the tree in such a way.”

Bubba watched the sloth slowly reaching for the cup of juice. He wondered how many drinks he could take before Yinney even took one? So far he was up to three, but who was counting?

“So how much time do you have before you must leave?”

The cup had finally reached the sloth’s lips. Yinney was parched and the juice was so good as he savored it. And he did savor it.

Bubba patiently waited, somewhat amused and amazed. The other Howler monkeys whispered in each other’s ears, and one began timing the sloth on his watch! The crowd around Bubba’s rubber tree had grown tremendously as word spread through the trees of the jungle like wild fire.

“Ahhhh,” Yinney finally said, “That juice is so good! I have the remainder of this day I can spend with you. Tomorrow morning I must leave, but if we have good fellowship, I will return as God allows. And you must visit me, too. My 7th Day Tree stands at this end of the lagoon.”

“very good,” Bubba said. “Everyone knows the lagoon you speak of, much like this grove of rubber trees is known. How did you learn of us?”

“Do you know a spider monkey named, Kujo?”

“Haaaa!” Bubba laughed! “I certainly do! So he has not been swallowed by an anaconda yet? Haaa! I love it when he tells me I’m just an accident. He is such a sad monkey. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh.”

“That is sad,” Yinney agreed, “not to laugh.”

And so it was that Yinney became known in a grove of rubber trees as he sought fellowship with Bubba and whoever so desired. Communion was the heart of our Lord. He always had kind words for the lost and the hurting. He sat at tables with sinners and shared food, but he spoke very hard to the religious! And when he spoke in their big temples, his words so infuriated them, they would run him out!

This was the beginning of a friendship of respect between Bubba and Yinney, and many deep conversations.

“So what does your holy Word say about ‘karma’?” Bubba asked.

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“Yinney” – Chapter 24

Path Without End

Sloth_large Early the next day Yinney was on the move again. We are all creatures of faith. We live what we believe. If we believe there is no God, we live in that belief. Whatever we believe to be most important becomes a focus, a sun we orbit around in our living.

After many years of studying the Hebrew writings, Yinney had come to believe that the Lord’s Supper was a type of “template” or “pattern” for everything God wanted his Church to be. And what was the Lord’s Supper? A communion. A community with his men. A last communicating of important things. A sharing of food at a table, and having things common. A communion with heavy emphasis on fellowship/family. Even as the original Church in Acts 2 had a heavy emphasis on fellowship, meals, the Lord’s Supper, and home tables. The early Church fit the Lord’s Supper template, but what of today?

This had become important to Yinney, and the vision he received at the bottom of the lagoon only served to strengthen it. His studies of many modern Churches had revealed short-form Communions and lack of true fellowship. One should not be surprised, he told himself, if one short-forms the Lord’s Supper, why not short-form fellowship too? Does not the one suggest the other?

Yinney’s belief about the Lord’s Supper template, had motivated him into much study of what “community/ communion/ communicating, and sharing” is. This had become a strong part of his message and how he represented the Christ to the world. Now he had hopes of connecting with a Howler monkey named, Bubba, who followed Buddhist ways, and taught it to anyone interested.

Yinney believed in fellowship at a table. He knew the power of sharing Christ in this way. Perhaps Bubba would one day see, that as wise as the Buddha had been in his time, a greater way had come in Christ. But it was not Yinney’s burden to convince anyone, but only to share in love and not bring shame upon the Lord’s name by misrepresenting him.

Kujo had given him directions to the rubber trees in which Bubba lived. Yinney had his mission, and was on his way, moving at an astounding speed of 13 feet per minute. After all, no need to speed unless being chased by a predator, then he could manage 15 feet per minute.

It was around high noon when the rubber trees came into view.

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Soon he was seeing Howler monkeys everywhere, as they also found him to be a curiosity. Two monkeys quickly approached him, “Why do you move so slow?” they asked.

Was he the first sloth they ever saw, he wondered. “Slow has it’s own beauty,” he answered, “it is my way.”

“Hhhmmm, I see,” the young monkey said while rubbing his chin.

Then second monkey asked, “Can we help you? How will you ever get to where you’re going?”

“”That’s right,” the chin rubbing monkey agreed, “How will you ever?”

“No, that’s alright fellas. I’m here to see Bubba.”

“Bubba? Well why didn’t you say so!” And immediately the monkeys grabbed Yinney with there long arms and started swinging through the air from limb to limb so quickly that he couldn’t even catch his breath to speak! He felt as if everything was spinning! And indeed it was, because the monkeys were flipping upside down and all around so quickly, his eyes could not even focus! All he could think was, “Speed kills…and please help me Jesus!”

In less than a minute the two monkeys plopped him down on a big fat limb, and then came the sound of deep laughter. Before him was a rather large Howler, of the “mantled” variety, the golden mantled to be precise, and he was laughing so hard, had he not been a monkey he would have fallen out of the tree!

“Regaining his composure as best he could, Yinney said, “Bubba, I presume?”

“Indeed, it is I!” the golden mantled Howler affirmed while still laughing, and also said, “It has been a while since I have seen a sloth, and a very long time since I seen one as disheveled as you!” And then slapping his knee he returned to hearty laughter!

“A merry heart does good like a medicine!” Yinney said, and chuckled a little too, but then Bubba instantly stopped, jumped close to him and asked, “Are you a spiritual teacher?”

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