Buddha Nature and the Plum Tree
I recently read a sermon called “Fill the Whole Word With Fruit, or Else” delivered at the Eagle Harbor Congregrational Church.
“90. Does a plum tree with no fruit have Buddha Nature? Whack!”
When I penned this brief statement in “Pulling Onions” I had a number of ideas in mind:
1. You must carefully prune fruit trees so as to obtain maximum fruit production. Maybe the lack of fruit production is the gardener’s fault because she/he has not pruned away old wood, cut away crossing branches, or “whacked off” dead branches. We might need to prune away some of our own dead ideas about religious truth before we can bear the fruit of spiritual awakening.
2. Some gardeners recommend whacking a non-fruiting tree with a hoe or axe. We are supposed to remind the tree that it may be cut down for fire wood or building wood if it does not produce fruit. Trees have many wonderful uses besides bearing fruit.
3. There are a number of Zen Buddhist koans, or spiritual puzzles, that involve asking about the “Buddha Nature.” For example, “Does a dog have the Buddha Nature.” We are curious and want to know: How plants and animals and the forces of nature fit into our spiritual lives? How does the Divine enliven or is immanent in the natural world? What is the spiritual nature of the non-human? Do animals have souls? What are the spiritual rights of the non-human beings?
4. In Zen Buddhism, questions are often asked that perplex the spiritual seeker. After hearing or asking the “question” the Zen Master sometimes gives the seeker a slap on the back or face, or strikes the floor hard with a staff … the “Whack!” … so as to shock the student, and help them attain “awakening.” Sometimes, the point is NOT to ask questions that confuse you or lead you into non-productive religious discussions and arguments that keep you from acting in an authentic and compassionate manner and thus “awakening.” Here we see the discomfort with heartless intellect and religious dogma that is so characteristic of Zen. The whack on the back is to remind you to stop asking such stupid questions and too avoid too much rationalizing. The “Whack!” should forcefully remind you to not rely on religious dogmas or the dry words in “holy books” to help you live a compassionate life and move towards your spiritual enlightenment and awakening.
Will a Taoist who does not believe that Jesus is God or Mohammad is a Prophet suffer in hell after he dies? Whack!
How can you be saved without believing in all the Words of the Holy Book? Whack!
Does a plum tree with no fruit have Buddha Nature? Whack!
I was not thinking of a cruel heavenly Superhuman God who drowns every living being on earth in a flood, just because a few desert tribesmen disobeyed their bearded prophet.
Does the fruit of the plum taste good?
Does the plum tree provide shade?
Does the fire in the hearth warm the hands?
Does the ash in the hearth feed the plum tree?
Does a plum tree with no fruit have Buddha Nature? Whack!
“Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Thought is the blossom, language the bud, action the fruit behind.” Where is the evidence of fruitful Christians in a fruitful church? It is not in wishful wishing or talky talk. It is in tears dried, mouths fed, calls dialed, hands held, bread baked, letters written, hugs rendered, money channeled, laughter shared, confidences kept, ears unstopped, bodies clothed, justice sought, doors opened, fences mended, seniors visited, babies cuddled, evil confronted, wisdom studied, minds awakened, help given, friendship cultivated, peace waged, fear calmed, promises kept, failures forgiven, hearts healed.”
Fill the Whole Word With Fruit, or Else
