January 21, 2017
Zen Buddhism

On this day, January 21, 1324, a religious debate was held between Tendai and Shingon of Zen Buddhism.

The essential element of Zen Buddhism is found in its name – “Zen” means “meditation”. Zen teaches that enlightenment is achieved through the realization that one is already an enlightened being. This awakening can happen gradually or in a flash of insight. But in either case, it is the result of one’s own efforts. Deities and scriptures can offer only limited assistance.

Tendai and Shingon are just two of the many different branches of Buddhism. Both were developed in China and then imported into Japan. Both Tendai and Shingon emphasize the possibility of attaining enlightenment through techniques such as visualization, meditation, chanting mantras and other rituals. Both Tendai and Shingon emphasize the monastic life. Tendai Buddhism is also known as “Lotus Sutra” or Lotus School. It is an eclectic tradition incorporating numerous divinities. Shingon is known for the richness of its artistic heritage based on “mandala” designs. A “mandala offering” is a symbolic offering of the entire universe. Every intricate detail of the Mandala has specific, symbolic meanings.

Here are some statistics for both traditions:

Tendai: approx. 9,300 temples and other meeting places, 15,300 clergy and 4,665,000 adherents.
Shingon: approx. 17,700 temples and other meeting places, 17,900 clergy and 11,200,000 adherents.  (Source: Hori (ed.) Japanese Religions 1972)
As Christians, it is interesting to know that all religions have their differences, have their theological debates, and have their proponents and their detractors? Lutherans are no different from other religious sects, even those that are a thousand years old like Zen Buddhism – no different with their arguments and their disagreements. Taking a look at Wikipedia’s list of Lutheran denominations around the world, the site lists 189 different branches of Lutheranism, not including those Lutheran bodies that have merged with others. Almost two hundred different branches of Lutheranism – denominations who have Lutheran as part of their name – denominations such as:

• Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland
• Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia
• Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia
• Evangelical Community Church-Lutheran
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Jesus prayed that his followers would be one – and after two thousand years, all we have managed to do is divide, split, and fracture the church. And the same is true for others religions who seek to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Our greatest hope is to find ways to bridge the gaps, establish relationships, and work together with all people of faith. The more we work for unity, the more opportunity we will find to be One in the Spirit.

Pastor Dave

January 20, 2017
First Basketball Game Played

On this date January 20, 1892 the first basketball game was played – a game developed in December of 1891 when Dr. James Naismith’s physical education could not go outside for their activities. Here is how the website “onthisdayinsports.blogspot” described it:

“At the time Naismith was the head of physical education department at the International Young Men’s Christian Training School in Springfield Massachusetts. He started jotting down rules for this game that could be played indoors. It was a basketball constitution of sorts that marked the birth of a sport. It was a set of thirteen rules. Naismith’s foundation provided the framework needed to build a sport that millions upon millions of kids, as well as, men and women alike still enjoy today.” (onthisdayinsports.blogspot, January 20, 2014)

I want to share with you the first three of the “Thirteen Rules” Naismith wrote down on that fateful day in Massachusetts:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands (never with the fist.)
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at a good speed if he tries to stop. (hooptactics.com, Heritage of the Game)

A lot of people see sports as a “kind” of religion – or at least they treat it as such. It always amazes me to see how fanatical people get – how much time, money and effort they put into watching, following and supporting a sports team. Please understand, this reverend may be cranky once in a while, but he is not a complete stick in the mud. I do have my sports teams that I follow – but I do not paint my face, watch every game, or spend all my money on following that team. What breaks the heart of this cranky reverend the amount of money that is spent on the salaries of professional athletes and the cost of tickets, sports wear and concessions if you attend a game. With the number of people who go to bed hungry in this country, who do not have enough money for their basic needs, and the inadequate distribution of wealth and goods throughout the entire world, the fact that so much money is wasted for the entertainment of American’s is just appalling. Sports are great for the exercise factor, for the lessons our youth can learn from playing team sports, and the discipline an athlete can develop to become better at their craft. But when so many people are suffering because we spend our money on frivolous activities, then we need to take a closer look at our own behavior – and how we use the resources with which G-d has blessed us as Americans and as Christians. So, thank you Mr. Naismith for giving us a great sport that teaches so many positive lessons that can be used for life, but if we could spend less money on our entertainment and more money on helping those in need, well this cranky pastor thinks that would be a slam dunk.

Pastor Dave