Introduction & Motives.
... finally book arrived.
'Religious Sects: A Sociological Study (World University Library)' by Wilson, Bryan R.
... i think it's important to understand sects for any antisectarian.
... i wish to think and understand these topics deeply, to not abuse arguments presented in this book in a shallow way. i know my arguments will be criticized as well. i wish to remain & be ever-more honest with myself & others as well.
i will try to integrate my life experiences & insights with study & knowledge contained in this book, to critically present Buddhism's viewpoint as i understand it, as well as with what i got from being raised in a catholic family. i'll wait for critic, will keep reading, thinking & addressing concerns - adding more of material as is needed or neccessary.
i wish my opinions & critic of sectarianism to be beneficial, accurate & beyond-personal.
... i think that being antisectarian is my most important service for Buddhism & others - certainly it's much more important priority than sciences & arts i try to practice as well.
... regarding Buddhism & Arts, i wish to integrate antisectarianism & open-mindedness with a dharma-art-science project of mine,
'Art & Dharma Teachings' Service.
... i chose to be antisectarian on my own. my parents tried to discourage me from buddhism fearing that it's sect, that it encourages terrorism - being not sure about what is buddhism and what is islam. now i try to pave the way for others to be able to meditate without hindrances of sect-accusations, so when that energy returns to me, i'll be able to meditate again as well; already seen small results in that way as well :)
i do not want to abolish catholic church as a whole, or to stall it, just to inform, talk & help it to reform - i think that worst enemies on this front of both Buddhism & Catholic Church is ignorance, fear & stiff ideas.
About Sects.
'Sects are movements of religious protests.
Their members separate themselves from other men in respect of their religious beliefs, practices and institutions, and often in many other departments of their lives.
They reeject the authority of orthodox religious leaders, and often, also, of the secular government.
Alliegance to a sect is voluntary, but individuals are admitted only on proof of conviction, or by some other test of merit : continuing affiliation rests on sustained evidence of commitment to sect beliefs and practices.
Sectarians put their faith first: they order their lives in accordance with it. The orthodox, in contrast, compromise faith with other interrests, and their religion accommodates the demands of the secular culture.
At first glance, sects may appear to be marginal and incidental phenomena in history - odd groups of alienated men with outlandish ideas.
Yet, at times, sects have had an immense significiance for the course of history.
After all, Christianity itself was only a Jewish sect at beginning.
(...)
Religions may begin as sects, and in the Christian case the sect preceeded the church. But once established, the church anathematised all new sects.'
-- Quoted from 'Religious Sects: A Sociological Study' book by Bryan Wilson.
Religions, Sects & Social Control of Ruling classes.
'Whereas the church was hierarchic and conservative, appealing to ruling classes for whom it operated as an agency of social control, the sect was egalitarian, radical and an expression of the depressed condition of underprivileged groups.
The church, both socially and ecclesiologically, saw itself as an order established from above, whereas the sect saw itself as working up from below.'
-- Quoted from 'Religious Sects: A Sociological Study' book by Bryan Wilson.
Sects & Charismatic Leaders.
'Sects in industrial
(and modern) societies, however, are less frequently attributable to charismatic leaders.
(...)
In primitive societies such a figure
(charismatic leader) is almost always the source of new religious movements'
-- Quoted from 'Religious Sects: A Sociological Study' book by Bryan Wilson.
Blog Author's comments.
Do sects use foreign languages as a way of separating themselves & hiding intent from the rest of society?
i confirm, i read there are cases of sects who even stress that.
Is Diamond Way Buddhism of the Karma Kagyu School under Buddha Karmapa 17th Trinley Thaye Dorje a sect?
i think not, for our Buddha wishes us to not separate from society too much, for our leaders give lessons of how to approach other Schools & their lessons (We can take Refuge in Lessons instead of taking a Refuge in Teachers).
We speak in native language often, but also use foreign languages, because these words carry blessing or to communicate international ideas to others. Buddhism spans acros many nations, and when we use internet - it has it's own language, a mix of languages; There are secret lessons however, dangerous and misleading to unwise and untrained minds i think as well. i think they are available however to anyone who truly wishes, and is patient, wise, compassionate and dedicated.
We might have different views than other Religions, we may not even be a Religion however; we still try to be useful for ourselves & others.
We work within the society, we do not stir revolutions, World's Peace is important for us, we adjust ourselves to secular laws & rules as Buddhism always did in past.
We adhere to secular laws, we do not separate from society too much - except for occasional needs for Retreats or in a certain exceptional cases as myself - but not too far, not for too long as well; i wish to find work soon, i wish to have sane relations with non-buddhist friends as well - as soon as i am ready, as soon as i find friends who accept me as i am.
In past there was
a moment of my insanity, a moment when i thought that Buddhism is a sect stirring for revolt. Now i think this is not true, it was just my own confused, ignorant & groundless thoughts & feelings, as well as the emerging (from subconsciousness) fears that i've acquired during my childhood in a close-minded family, fuelled by church-warnings-related paranoia. Now when i am calmer, when i understand Buddhism & myself better i think that Buddhism is striving for Peace. i apologize for my groundless accusations as well, both Buddhists as well as others whom i did confuse with my paranoid, confused & ignorant reactions.
for more, see if You wish:
Sects.
Wishes.
May all beings have happines and causes of happiness,
May they be free from suffering and the cause of suffering,
May they always experience true happiness, which is totally free from suffering,
May they remain in the great equanimity, which is beyond attachment and aversion.
Mantras.
MAHAKALA
FIVE WISDOM BUDDHAS
OM MANI PEME HUNG
KARMAPA CHENNO
Namaste, as well.
(article to be edited when i read it enough, after i think about it).
