Purpose of Burning Buddha

Dear Person,

I’ve spent most of my life pretty much perpetually lost. I am as imperfect as they come. At one point I went away from everything as I once knew it. I spent that time with my copy of the Four Noble Truths as told by the Venerable Ajahn Sumedho (Link at top, second from right).

I’ve also spent most of my life as a musician, composer or whatever they like to call it these days.

While at one point in my life being separated from most of this world as most of us know it, the sounds that have traveled along my path, which because of distraction never had a chance to voice themselves to me, as well as words that accompanied many of these sounds at this point finally had time to spend with me.

It turned out that these words that voiced themselves to me spoke of “My Ultimate Reality”, which I had not been ready, willing or able to know or hear, much less repeat. The Ultimate Reality (especially mine) can be a scary place.

The reason I could not hear them was because they are “Noble” and I was and can still be deaf to nobility.

It’s very simple. Nobility  does not flutter or change under scrutiny, debate or criticism. If it ever does, it’s not noble. Then I can discard. So far, I personally  haven’t found the need to do so.

Upon my return, I shared the words that came to me during that time. The impression I got was that these words were also the words of others.

I realized at that point that they are not my words, but “our” words in many cases.  I realized that I am not in any way unique. I am a  simple, run of the mill, imperfect being.

“Burning Buddha” it turned out is not “Mine” but, “Ours (if you also see value in it)” to change and make better and to have happiness with while learning avoid bringing harm, that’s of course for those who actually see value in the concept. For those who don’t…. well… maybe one day? The invitation is a perpetual one to all.

I have come to understand that “BURNING BUDDHA” was never intended to be, and is not ever going to be “my” project. “BURNING BUDDHA” belongs to “US”.

“BURNING BUDDHA” is not limited to words and music, and most certainly not a “band”. It is a project, with hope and a goal.

For now, it is my intention  to disseminate and protect this project best I can. I intend to keep this project noble (to the best of my understanding of what that is), until hopefully you (all of you) help me, then maybe take over? I will shed my glove one day and need all the help I can get to keep this going. … and now I finally get to the point….

On June 11, 1963 Thích Quảng Đức (born) Lâm Văn Túc poured gasoline from his head down then lit a match to himself, subsequently dying in protestation of the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese Roman Catholic government led by Ngô Đình Diệm. Vietnam. Most say that this act was completely in contradiction to the beliefs of Buddhism in that he brought harm to himself. The point he was making was that yes, you are appalled by the fact that this man has lit himself on fire, but you give no argument to executing people because they follow the belief system of Buddha, or to the concept sending your children to certainly die in yet another senseless and unnecessary war.

While on fire, he was in lotus position and continued to meditate. They say he did not flinch nor wriggle until his glove gave way.

The name for this project “BURNING BUDDHA” is given as a devotion to his devotion.

The “purpose” of Burning Buddha is ultimately to interfere with the destruction of the rain forests. The human being has decided that it’s OK to destroy our oxygen, however what gave humans the right to decide that it’s acceptable to destroy the oxygen needed by the many innocent species that also live here? When did humans become God? Burning Buddha will spread the concept of living in the “Ultimate Reality” by giving people the opportunity to benefit from Siddhartha Gautama’s gift to us of the Four Noble Truths.

In doing so hopefully more and more people will understand how unacceptable this all is, maybe even the so called “powerful” people will hear this message and help do something about it.

By the way, Siddhartha Gautama, AKA Buddha, only put together and shared one set of thoughts and beliefs. These thoughts and beliefs are “The Four Noble Truths”.  Any other publications in reference to Buddha’s journey were created by someone else.

Please keep in mind that this is not a Buddhist website nor does it in any way promote Buddhism. It merely promotes the belief system of the Four Noble Truths and the importance of living in the ultimate reality, as Buddha came to understand and share with us.

Namaste,

Member of “BURNING BUDDHA”