I got into a huge debate today about the distinction between religion and spirituality, and the relative worth of the two concepts.
Instead of boring you with more of my cocky atheism, I’ll just quote a Zen story that I think captures the whole thing:
The Real Miracle
When Bankei was preaching at Ryumon temple, a Shinshu priest, who believed in salvation through repetition of the name of the Buddha of Love, was jealous of his large audience and wanted to debate with him.
Bankei was in the midst of a talk when the priest appeared, but the fellow made such a disturbance that Bankei stopped his discourse and asked about the noise.
“The founder of our sect,” boasted the priest, “had such miraculous powers that he held a brush in his hand on one bank of the river, his attendant held up a paper on the other bank, and the teacher wrote the holy name of Amida through the air. Can you do such a wonderful thing?”
Bankei replied lightly: “Perhaps your fox can perform that trick, but that is not the manner of Zen. My miracle is that when I feel hungry I eat, and when I feel thirsty I drink.”
If that doesn’t make it clear, allow me to direct you to the most concise statement of what I mean, made by “Bob, KBE“. (The linked video is a memorial, which isn’t part of my point–I just was linking to YouTube hosting the song–but which doesn’t hurt it either.)
