TWO WAYS                                                 BUD2WAYS.TXT
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       There are basically two ways to seek the DIVINE, to seek
       ENLIGHTENMENT.

       1. Alone. [The path of the monk.]

       2. With a partner. [The path of the householder.]

       It been a long time since BUDDHA walked the earth in a human body.
       The some of the original doctrines of the BUDDHA are purportedly 
       still in existence in text form. 
       However great debates abound in the world as to what the written words
       actually mean. 

       Like many other ways of seeking-faiths-religions, as soon as the 
       ENLIGHTENED ONE leaves his/her body, changes occur in doctrine, in
       scriptural texts, in translated scriptural texts, and in practices.

       When BUDDHA walked the earth, most of BUDDHA'S followers were not 
       monks. They were householders. That is they supported themselves,
       married, had children and served their families well.
       Most Buddhists today are householders not monks.

       There are many teachers Buddhist and Others who state you have to become
       celebrate to reach enlightenment. 
       Usually the above teachers also say you have to become totally
       detached from everything and everyone to reach enlightenment.

       In my understanding neither of the above statements are truths.
       They are partial truths.
       You can reach the DIVINE by being a monk and being detached from
       everything.
       You can reach the DIVINE by being a householder and being  attached
       to your spouse and your children.

       These are just two different paths to the same destination.
       Each person needs to chose the path that fits who they are.

       In my opinion, most of those who chose the road of the monk are not
       actually suited to it. Externally they are celibate and detached.
       Internally they have many desires, their dreams are full of 
       satisfying those desires and of sexual experiences.

       In my understanding one does not have to give up everything that
       brings pleasure, but only to give up the attachment to those things.

       That means when the DIVINE provides you with with wonderful things
       you enjoy them and are thankfull when they are there and do not lament
       when they depart or are not there.

       I was blessed to have been in the physical presence of several
       Enlightened Ones in this life.

       For about nine months on Sundays I attended an afternoon program with
       the Master Baba Hari Das in Santa Cruz California.

       I heard a young married woman who had her 2 small children with her
       ask Baba Hari Das,

       "I have heard that to become enlightened a person has to be celibate
       and be totally detached from everyone and everything. I am married and
       have these two children. I am attached to my children and my husband.
       What should I do ?.

       A beautiful smile appeared on Baba Hari Das' face.
       He wrote on his chalk board the following things:
       If you are a householder, married, and have children, you are supposed
       to be attached to your children and your husband. How else could you
       serve the Divine well and serve your family well if you were not ?
       Being celibate and totally detached is for monks, not householders.
       In very old times all the Enlightened Ones were married, had families,
       slept with their spouses and fulfilled all their responsibilities and
       duties to their families. 

       [Please note the is not a word for word recording of his response,
       but rather the content of the response as best as I can remember 
       it. -- das]

       In my understanding, if it is your nature to want marriage, children and
       a family then marry and have a family. 
       Having a family does not stop you from doing spiritual practices each
       and every day.
       However it is best if you are are a spiritual seeker, to chose a 
       partner who is also a seeker. One who will respect your spiritual
       choices and share in the spiritual practices you do.

       -- ganashyam das