Expert: Joe McSorley - 11/14/2005

Question
Hi, Id really appreciate your help with this....I have just written to someone who has come back to me with a Buddhist phrase instead of answering a question I asked them......I really dont know what this phrase means and would appreciate it if you could interpret it for me.....I am a spiritual being but alas do not know alot about Buddhism....
They say......''The first step to enlightenment is to say I am not a fool. The second step is to know that you are. Become Buddha. ''.....This is really important for me to understand.....I thankyou for your time.....Gina


Answer
Hi Gina,
 Since I don't know the quesiton you asked its hard to give an accurate answer here but I do get the gist of it. First off Buddhism, Zen in particular, cuts through a lot of the spiritual talk and projection and does not use terms like spiritual being. It strives to get to the core of human existence before/prior to self consciousness and language. To say you are not a fool could mean to say, I am not helpless and can change my view.  To know you are a fool is too realize that the way you see everything is false and ignorant, no matter how erudite you might think you are.  You must realize that every thought you conjure about reality misses the point though you try to see reality.  The only way to do this is to strive and 'become'Buddha, not study him, understand or imitate him or worship him but to become him, here and now.
 I hope this helps you.  Take care,
         Joe