In Memory of Joseph Campbell

[Morning Star]

THE BUDDHA, THE CHRIST


Today I went looking for the Buddha and the Christ

I was told they were around

There was a large religious meeting chaired by popular American charismatic preachers. I was sure to see them there.

I passed through the crowds, all chanting, all laughing. Eyes fixed on the gurus. One stood

He spoke of themes that pierced the listeners, stole their souls. "Believe in the Son. Believe in me, and you will surely be saved."

"Hallelujah!" they answered. "Jesus is the only way! Amen."

And from somewhere amongst the frenzied crowd, from somewhere not too far off, I heard a whimper

I walked towards it

It became more intense

On the outer ring of the congregation sat two men in simple clothing

They wept and looked on

This moved me. I decided to follow them

When the meeting concluded, they left. So did I

Sitting three rows back on the tram I could hardly help but feel a kind of warmth, a comfort from them. They seemed whole, in place, at ease

We got off at the terminus and started walking north up the highway. Away from the city of steel and stone

I followed silently

Time passed. I wondered of our destination and the grace in the men's gaits

We arrived. An impressive 1980's style building with immaculate gardens and stained glass windows looked down at us

We followed the 'Teaching Today. This Way' sign

Inside the building of polished marble floors and fine red carpet we found a cushion and sat

A monk came out. Curtains opened revealing a small room, in it gold statues, icons in frames and fancy ribbon work

Amongst this wealth the men gently began to sob as the monk spoke of internal peace and suffering. An intricate statue of Buddha looked on

With heads bowed they left

Back in Metropolitan the two stopped outside the fanciest high-rise in town. The glass exterior a shell reflecting the sun's warmth and light. This job was now done by machine

They peered into the swanky ground floor

A television in the corner flashed an advertisement "Help save a child in famine and war ravaged Sudan - only $3 a day"

A lady in designer clothes and pretend face pressed the remote control. "Come try new McChicken - only $3 a day" Her eyes lit up and she quickly left the building

The two men cried

The two men cried together on the street



Later that evening I followed them into an eatery

They ordered their meal. I ordered mine

A young toddler, about three, approached the large fish tank in the centre of the restaurant

She asked her mother, "Don't the fish get wet in there Mom?"

And the two men began to laugh

They lifted their faces to the night sky and released their spirits

They laughed

They turned to me and one said "THE BUDDHA AND THE CHRIST YOU SEEK ARE IN THIS CHILD AND HENCE IN US AND IN YOU"

The other went on "WHAT MADE THE CHRIST AND THE BUDDHA SO WISE WAS BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY WERE MEN. ONLY MEN. HUMAN. FIND THIS IN YOUR HEART WHERE CONCEPTS CANNOT ABIDE"


And I wept uncontrollably as my number was called out by the cashier, and by Life...

[Teratogen]

joseph campbell, a man with a vision who was ahead of his time. there was a kid in my creative writing class from years ago who called him a blasphemer when we watched a video on him. i laughed. thanks for posting this.

[linda_lakeside]

Hi,

Yes! Thanks for posting this! It was captivating! I loved it.
Linda.

[Morning Star]

Thanks Teratogen, thanks Linda. Joseph Campbell definitely was a man ahead of his time, a visionary. He put the world of myth/religion together like a jigsaw puzzle. Did you see or hear his 'Power of Myth' series? Simply marvellous. And I would have laughed too Teratogen!

In peace

Morning Star