Materialism vs Spirituality

Can Enlightenment achieved only by self-mortification? Materialism vs Spirituality. I think about this a lot. There are a few zen monks who practice in extreme ways. Zen monks often thought as eccentric practitioners but that title should be given only to the few monks practicing in extreme ways.

Whenever I encounter zen monks who go to extremes by restricting their already humble diet or by torturing their limbs that have already been strained from sitting twelve hours a day or by vowing silence, I feel pity for them rather than respect. Unsurprisingly, they argue that they have good reason for these practices. They claim they want to eradicate karmic obstacles which are heavier than others, or they do not deserve three meals a day because they have not accumulated enough merit.

One day an interesting discussion took place in the zen monastery. "What is more important, the body or the mind?"

"There is no question about this. The mind is more important. What a silly question for a zen monk to ask! If you have nothing better to say, you had better chant."

Most zen monks should be well versed in rituals if they want earn their own living. "What do you think sustains the mind?" asked the head monk. "Of course it is the body." "Yeah, just like a tree without roots cannot produce leaves, the sky without clouds cannot produce rain. Likewise, how can the mind exist without a body? Remember that the mind appears only after the body comes into existence. Please stick to logic and common sense!

We're not talking about the deep questions that are beyond logic but talking about the nature of the mind and body using reason. This issue is really turning into a debate about materialism versus spirituality. That being said, your support of materialism is ridiculous. Do not forget that we're in a meditation hall, a center of spirituality. It's commonly recognized that the body is mortal while the mind is eternal. Just consider the sublime character of the mind as compared to the fragility of our bodies that are doomed to decay as we grow old."

"Do not talk abstractions or quibble about words! Let's just focus on practicality. It's a biological fact that a sound body makes for a sound mind. There's no doubt that the body precedes the mind. to expect a sound mind in a sick body is like hoping for fresh growth from a dead trunk."

Spiritual Progress

"Look! Look at all the successful examples of abstinence that speed up spiritual progress. I do not have to illustrate this point because they're happening all the time. Although, I won't even attempt some practices because I'm not good enough, just look at those zen monks who renounce comforts to pursue Enlightenment. Look at those who eat only once a day, who don't eat after mid-day, who never lie down to sleep and who practice silence. What great challenges to our contemptible body by our sublime minds!"

"Practicing like this is artificial, hypocritical and just a way to show off. Genuine seekers should take care of themselves. You can attain inner knowledge through well-being, and Enlightenment comes only after inner knowledge."

"Do not be deluded by the effortless actions of Laozi and Zhuangzi. They simply turned away from the world, and only cared for ease. They could not reach their goal of Sagehood, so they didn't even try to save the world and relieve people from suffering. We strive for the ultimate goal of Enlightenment, disregarding our bodies that will inevitably pass away. Enlightenment is necessary in order to save humans."

Endless cycle of rebirth

"Don't forget that we're only sentient beings caught in an endless cycle of rebirth wit all our karmic burdens. Do you honestly expect to liberate yourself when you aren't well?"

"Absolutely, that is why we're here on this mountain, enduring a life that is nearly hell."

"Stop misleading suffering beings with words like that! You are claiming that Enlightenment is only possible when you cripple yourself! A sound mind requires a sound body. A healthy and balanced constitution is essential for Zen monks like us on the path to Enlightenment."

"You choose to remain a prisoner of your fickle body while it is comfortable and healthy at any cost, and you gaze at humans with heavy karmic debts as if you were a lifeless statue."

"Lest I should become such a lifeless statue, I take care of my body. Why have I chosen to endure this difficult monastic life? I want to feel the suffering of beings with oppressive karmic debts! Now, let's stop this talk. I care for my passing body, not because I cling to it at all. Your body is not just something you observe, but something you should feel. Look it at this way. We've left the world not because we don't love it but rather because we love it very much.

We love the world so much that we have to keep a distance from it in order to see it and feel it more honestly. We struggle for Enlightenment away from the world so that we eventually make it whole. We're very far from the world, and it is very imperfect and it is going to remain as it is. If the world fell completely apart, there would be nothing we could do about it then, even if we were enlightened. Do you understand what I'm saying? Let's stop here. It is time to meditate."