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Buddhism Without Beliefs, By Stephen Batchelor May 28, 2008

Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Miscellany , add a comment

Buddhism, at least as I have seen it from Tibetan teachers, is non-theistic, with a strong emphasis on questioning, study and personal examination of the ideas presented. Every time I’ve heard the Dalai Lama teach he has talked about the need to examine the teachings critically and decide for yourself whether they are true or not. Some ancient texts have clearly been superceded by modern science, and it would be fairly unreasonable to continue to believe that the world sits atop Mt Meru, in the face of pictures of the Earth from space, or to continue to believe in ancient Indian theories of the origin of the universe, to cite two examples he gave.

What then to make of karma and reincarnation, two basic tenets which seem to underpin a large part of Buddhist philosophy, but which are very problematic, at least for this unknowledgeable student?

Karma always strikes me as wishful thinking. If life’s not going well, its all because of stuff that I did long ago in a time that I can’t remember, let alone take responsibility for. If someone does something bad, at least they’ll get their comeuppance down the line, even if they get away with it now. This idea that the universe is essentially fair sounds nice, but how on earth would it work? I listen to the teachings on the idea that things do not exist in and of them selves, but are dependent on causes. The person writing this article only exists because of her body and mind, temporary things, and she becomes even more sceptical about karma and reincarnation. The Indian philosophers seem to tie themselves in knots trying to reconcile reincarnation with the logical conclusions of their own observations.

It’s timely to re-read Buddhism without Beliefs by the English scholar and former monk Stephen Batchelor. His suggests that an agnostic position on karma and rebirth is probably the honest one, though he takes a very ‘middle way’ approach in saying that ‘we neither have to adopt the literal versions of rebirth presented by religious tradition nor fall into the extreme of regarding death as annihilation’. I’m agnostic about rebirth in the same way as I’m agnostic about Richard Dawkin’s teapots, convinced but not willing to be quite as strident as he out of respect for those who do believe.

Batchelor then goes on to show how, without these articles of faith, Buddhism still stands up as a good basis for living. He talks about it as something to do, not something to believe in. Understanding things as they are, being honest about that even if its not comfortable and trying to be more compassionate of others. Sounds sensible to me

Protesting Against the Dalai Lama?? May 27, 2008

Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Miscellany,Politics , comments closed

I’d been expecting Chinese protests at the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Nottingham, but not a row of about 20 monks and nuns carrying placards saying ‘Stop Lying’ and ‘Dalai Lama Give Religious Freedom’. Shouting loudly, they weren’t getting much attention from people going into the teachings. I went up and asked one what he was protesting about. He kept shouting and pointed at a nun standing at the end of the line. She claimed that the Dalai Lama was making it impossible for Tibetans to carry out a particular religious practice, for political reasons.

This is about the worship of a Tibetan deity, Dorje Shugden. And here we delve into the opaque world of Tibetan religion and politics. Dorje Shugden may, or may not, be a manifestation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva (saint) of Wisdom. He may, or may not, be a 17th century lama who remains as a protector spirit of some sort. It’s a long way from the rarefied world of Nagarjuna’s ideas on the nature of reality and the philosophical text His Holiness has been teaching this week.

In Bodhgaya in 1998, I heard His Holiness teach 100,000 people, most of them Tibetans. At that time, he explained that he believed that the Dorje Shugden practice was a large part of the karmic cause of the problems now facing Tibet, and would also shorten his own life. He asked people not to do it. He also said that if people wanted to do it, they could, but please would they not attend his teachings or religious ceremonies.

That is a lot more powerful than it sounds. Many Tibetans, and westerners who are Buddhists in the Tibetan tradition will do whatever the Dalai Lama asks them to do. His political power may be limited, but his influence is huge. There are reports that Tibetans who continue to carry out Dorje Shugden practice are ostracised, unable to get jobs and suffer persecution, though Amnesty International do not think this is bad enough for them to get involved.

So where does that leave this woolly liberal then? A man who is revered world-wide, champion of a cause for which I have the utmost sympathy, who I admire greatly, is accused of something like this.

It strikes me that if you really believe in karma and the efficacy of religious practice to influence the world outside your own mind, then you have to bear the consequences. One of those consequences surely has to be a limitation on freedom to practice anything, no matter how harmful it might be to others. Clearly enough Tibetans agree that the Dalai Lama is right that this practice is harmful, and those doing it at least believe that it is worth doing. If you operate in that sort of worldview, continuing to do the harmful practice is a bit like playing your stereo very loud all weekend – you might enjoy it, but the neighbours don’t, and eventually, if they are more powerful or have greater authority than you, you will have to stop.

Religious freedom has its limits, and those limits have to be felt when the religious practice has harmful consequences beyond the practitioners. I wouldn’t agree, say, with the re-imposition of parish tithes in the name of religious freedom. It’s just that in this case it operates inside a worldview where karma is a law of nature and religious practices have real effects. It seems that both sides of this argument share that worldview, but the dispute is over the nature of the effect of the practice. The stakes are high, and is it really unreasonable for the Tibetan authorities to try to do something about it?

Loch Fyne Restaurant, King St, Nottingham May 25, 2008

Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Reviews , add a comment

So, here I am in Nottingham, ready to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak on the nature of reality. In the meantime, I’m hungry and looking for dinner. The Loch Fyne in King St is a likely proposition. I’ve never heard of it, unlike the Pizza Express and Zizzi’s nearby, and the menu looks good.

But what, I ask, is an Ashet of Fruit. I’ve never heard that word in my life. It looks like one of those combinations you try in Scrabulous, and are bemused to find it accepted. Apparently it means ‘plate’ (ok, I could have figured that from context) and is Gaelic, and cognate with Assiette. Whatever. You learn something new most days.

This is a seafood place, with scallops, which I love. I’m not a very good Buddhist, so the half-bottles of wine on the menu are a very good idea. I select a Domaine de Dorices Muscadet, which is dry, white and crisp, and apparently without chemicals. It lives up to the publicity, and fortunately my favourite chemical, ethanol, doesn’t count.

I start with scallops grilled in chilli butter, which are very good indeed. The battered haddock with chips is more ordinary, as is the apple pie. The muscat by the glass goes down well with the apple pie.

As I eat, the chef is wrapping polenta portions into clingfilm sausages at the open kitchen. I’m never sure about open kitchens. There are some things you just don’t need to see.

Loch Fyne is a chain, with about 40 restaurants around the UK. There are none in London so it’s new to me. I’m not going to rave about it, but its perfectly fine, though a seafood restaurant, could do better haddock and chips, and should have a fish soup of some sort. Perhaps I’m prejudiced. A full three course meal ended up being just on £40, which is not bad considering the wine bill.

Henrys, Richards and Roses May 19, 2008

Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Reviews , 1 comment so far

Why oh why didn’t I book to go to all eight of Shakespeare’s Histories? The four I saw (Richard II, and Henry VI parts 1, 2, 3) were sublime, and two in a row on Saturday was an intense pleasure. I don’t think I’ve ever been so absorbed in theatre in my life.

Actors give fine performances, but as they’ve been working together on these plays for thirty months, none really stands out from the excellence of the entire ensemble. Clive Wood as Henry Bolingbroke in Richard II and the Duke of York in Henry VI and the Chuk Iwuji as the weak and unworldly Henry VI are wonderful, but even lowly soldiers seem to be completely in their roles throughout.

The RSC has built a theatre within a theatre, duplicating the thrust stage of the Courtyard in Stratford on Avon. It’s not quite in the round, but comes out in the middle of the audience.

Battles rage throughout 3 Henry VI as England descends into chaos and in the front row we cower at swords clashing inches away. Actors climb ropes and are hauled up on wires. Entrances are through the stalls, and from the balcony. The entire theatre is the stage.

I’m booked for Hamlet and Love’s Labours Lost in the autumn, and I just can’t wait.

Donating for Burma May 12, 2008

Posted by cathrynsymons in : Politics , add a comment

I have a poster of Aung San Suu Kyi in my hallway, given to me by a friend who has spent a lot of time working with Burmese refugees on the Thai border. She is an inspiration, a symbol of perseverance against the most intractable of obstacles.

It’s taken me a week to decide that it is worth donating to Burma. Not because I don’t want to, but what’s the point if aid is just seized by the junta and doesn’t get to the people its intended for? If there was ever a case for military intervention, this looks like one to me. I imagine squads of marines in powerboats speeding up the delta with food parcels, medicines and perhaps medics, rather than airdrops. I’ve no idea if that’s possible. It would be a far better use of the armed forces than anything in Iraq. It might even justify its existence.

So, I’m with Nick Cohen of the Observer on this one. Dithering and handwringing are no good at all. Our government has already established that it doesn’t care about sovereignty when it suits. It’s time to do something good for a change.

If you can’t command an army, you can at least donate through the Disasters Emergency Committee, which includes Oxfam, Christian Aid and other charities.

Britblog

Posted by cathrynsymons in : Blogging , add a comment

If you have a moment or four, do wander over to Redemption Blues and have a look at her thorough summary of the best of British blogging for the week. Be annoyed at the Daily Mail, worry about Boris, groan at BBC innuendo and find your inner Hungarian. Something for everyone.

Chez Georges for a Perfect Chocolate Mousse May 5, 2008

Posted by cathrynsymons in : Cafes & Restaurants,Camden , 1 comment so far

Different cuisines have different signature dishes. By these shall ye know them. They may be hackneyed and traditional, but if they’re good, chances are everything else will be too. For Indian restaurants, its the chana marsala. The chick peas should be firm, not soft, and the flavours pungent with clean tastes of coriander and lemon.

For a French bistro, it has to be the chocolate mousse. If you get one of those gelatine-reinforced, individual “we made it this morning and stuck it in the fridge” things in a Marie Antoinette champagne glass, you know you’ve made a mistake. Ask to check the fridge before you order your starter. They’ll think you’re odd, but it is worth it.

At Chez Georges, which has just opened at 9A Delancey St, Camden Town, the mousse is perfect. Strong with chocolate, yet light and airy, scooped from a larger bowl onto the plate. So rich that cream would be excessive, and absolutely divine.

The entrance looks like a kebab shop, but the main restaurant is downstairs. It was very quiet yesterday, a bank holiday Sunday, but is bound to pick up soon. The waiters are friendly, onion soup, seafood risotto and duck very good, house wine perfectly drinkable, and a Kir Royale is included in the set menu price. £66 for two, including tip. Try it.

Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives

Posted by cathrynsymons in : Reviews , add a comment

In this BAFTA nominated documentary which rescreens this week, Mark Everett, indie rock star, explores the life and work of his father Hugh Everett III, who pioneered an innovative and controversial interpretation of quantum mechanics. Produced by Louise Lockwood for BBC Scotland, it originally aired on BBC4 in 2007, and will be shown again on BBC2 on Wednesday evening. You should be able to pick it up on iPlayer as well.
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Laurie Anderson – Homeland May 4, 2008

Posted by cathrynsymons in : Reviews , 1 comment so far

Laurie Anderson’s Homeland, which had its final London performance at the Barbican last night, was a  far cry from the last time I saw her, when her multimedia presentation of Big Science came to Wellington in 1986.  Big Science, and Mister Heartbreak, are albums I’ve always enjoyed, so although I’ve not heard anything new from her in a long time, I was keen to see the show.  Sadly, I find myself ambivalent.

The setting was minimalist, with Anderson and three backing musicians on a stage surrounded by tea-lights and coloured lighting the only concession to visual interest.  The spoken word predominates, and the music itself treads, and sometimes crosses, the fine line between subtlety and monotony.  The use of a vocoder to deepen her natural speaking voice for much of the performance just seems odd now, rather than innovative as it did at the time of Big Science.

As with her earlier work, this performance is her commentary on the state of modern America with a light-weight, metropolitan cynicism.  It started well, with a reworking of Aristophanes ‘The Birds’, and soon moving on to the standout piece of the evening ‘Only an Expert Can Deal With the Problem’, a catchy and wry take on ‘expert’ culture and how it defines what can, and cannot, be considered an issue in public discourse.

No doubt aficionados will berate me for  philistinism, but I expected more.  It’s interesting rather than absorbing, more performance poetry for a cafe than a show for a large concert hall.

And so the Muppet Show starts May 3, 2008

Posted by cathrynsymons in : Camden,Politics , add a comment

It was enough to keep me under the duvet this morning, waking up to see that Boris Johnson, famous for the muppet haircut, riding a bicycle and being very entertaining on Have I Got News For You, is now Mayor of London. The blues descend.

The results make interesting reading. The turn out was a lot higher than last time, showing the effect of a controversial, engaging campaign. There is received wisdom is that a high turnout favours the left-leaning parties, but this time, it seems to have favoured the Tories.

Often close-run elections squeeze out the smaller parties, and that seems to have happened here. In the Assembly elections particularly, and to a lesser extent in the Mayoral ones, the swing to the Tories has been at the expense of the Lib Dems and UKIP, rather than Labour. The Greens held up well, as did the other, less appealing but sadly significant small party. Obviously Ken Livingstone has a large personal following which won’t be swayed by the general turning away from Labour, but its hard to see why that would apply in the Assembly party vote where Labour kept the same number of seats . UKIP has pretty well imploded over the last couple of years, so their disappearance isn’t surprising. Perhaps the lacklustre Paddick campaign has affected the wider Lib Dem vote, while the far more exciting Ken show has at least helped to keep Labour afloat.

And finally, its wonderful to see we have another Green on Camden Council, with Alex Goodman winning the Highgate Ward by-election, and joining the other two Greens on the Council.