The Buddha's Finger Pointing to the Moon: A Sufi-Buddhist Dao Relative's Perspective

The Buddha's Finger Pointing to the Moon: A Sufi-Buddhist Dao Relative's Perspective

 

Twice a month, our Dao community ritually honors the phases of the new and full moon.  In the course of my 6 years as a Dao cultivator, I've come to take particular interest in these ceremonies for multiple reasons.  Originally, my first reason related to my appreciation for the ceremonies' overt purpose; to come together as Dao relatives to pray for ourselves and our neighbors during times of heightened spiritual vulnerability (aka 'lunacy') linked to the moon's most extreme phases of influence.  My second reason tied to certain symbolic alignments between the phases of the moon and my natural life-cycles as a woman.

However, I recently realized that I've remained a participant in two ADDITIONAL 'lunar celebratory' Mystical fellowships that I'd joined (in one way or another) prior to receiving Dao; my 'Soka Gakkai' [i.e. 'Value Co-Creative Alchemy'] Buddhist community and my Sufi [i.e. 'Moorish Scientific'] community.  

A) From Key Buddhist Teachings:

First, with regards to Buddhism, I've always been intrigued by the guidance that: 'Buddha [Dharma] is a finger that points to the moon; look at the moon, NOT the 'finger'.  

Exact Quote:

https://quotefancy.com/quote/1706529/Buddha-I-am-a-finger-pointing-to-the-moon-Don-t-look-at-me-look-at-the-moon

"I am a finger pointing at the moon.  Don't look at me, look at the moon." --- Buddha

My reflection:

This quote has always come across very 'go within for [Mystical] guidance' tantalizing to me.  So many people seem to incline towards idolizing the Buddha HIMSELF as the 'Great Teacher'.  Yet what the Buddha's implying here is 'Don't miss the point.  Use me and my guidance more like a traffic sign.  A tool or compass for you to find your ultimate Way (aka your unique 'Metta Truth')!! :-)

B) From Key Sufi Teachings:

Informed by said Buddhist 'lunar symbolic' teaching, upon recently reading the biography of the well-respected 20th century Sufi Saint, Shaykh Ahmad al-Alawi, I was further impressed by THIS 'lunar metaphorical' symbolism: All said, (my sense is that) the core of the Buddha's teachings speak to a Way to end the cycles of needless earthly suffering that make us choose to reincarnate (i.e. to 'settle the score') rather than move on to Higher Planes.  In turn, being that one implication of the Buddha's quest for earthly 'non-suffering' implies sustaining one's (earthly) Peace on as many levels plausible, I suppose it's not surprising that Buddhism and certain Sufi approaches to **IslamISM (aka '**the Sufi Practice of Profound Inner Peace') would apply similar 'lunar symbolic' logic!.  

As Dao cultivators, our soul's 'night metaphorical' goal is the MOON!!  The Divine-Truth (Dao) Reflecting Heart of it ALL!!

My excitement upon recently making these connections has moved me to share on this blog!  May the Dao of Mother Lao Mu bless any fruits this offering bares in your life and my own! 

Peace & Blessings,

Dao Relative Kweli