Buddhism, God and Meister EckhartContemplations - Maurice Walsh
The thought of the great German Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart has been compared more than once with the teachings of Buddhism, especially Zen (and also with Vedanta). It may be as well to recall, very briefly, his career. Eckhart was born about 1260 at Hochheim in Thuringia and entered the Dominican friary at Erfurt about 1275. He rose rapidly in his Order and was sent several times to Paris, where he took his Master's degree and later taught and debated. It should be stressed that all else aside he was a highly qualified theologian with the scholastic philosophy of his day at his finger-tips, and that the Dominicans were considered the special upholders of orthodoxy. It was only after about 1323, when he had been appointed head of the great Dominican Studium Generale in Cologne, that any suggestion was made that his views were in any way unorthodox. At this time the aged Archbishop of Cologne was busily engaged in hunting down heresy, particularly a somewhat amorphous group called the 'Brethren of the Free Spirit'. Apparently some of these people, arraigned for their lives before the Archbishop, in desperation appealed to the authority of the famous Dominican master. The Archbishop, who was a Franciscan, instituted proceedings against Eckhart for misleading the common people. Eventually the case came before the Papal court, then at Avignon, and thither Eckhart went to defend himself, all the while declaring his orthodoxy. The case dragged on, and Eckhart died, no doubt at Avignon, about the end of 1327. In March 1329 Pope John XXII issued a bull in which 28 of Eckhart's propositions were denounced, some as definitely heretical, some as under suspicion of heresy. I hasten to add that the modern representatives of his Order believe Eckhart was wrongly condemned, and the Pope has been asked to set the matter right. In due course we may hope that this will happen. There may be some who are — let us say romantically — surprised and even disappointed to learn how vigorously Eckhart protested his orthodoxy, and that those best qualified to know are in agreement with him. But that is by the way....
Another preliminary remark I should make is that until recently there has been — and to some extent still is — doubt about the authenticity of certain works ascribed to Eckhart. Much earlier work, especially in English, was based on material that was dubious or spurious — including the charming tale of "Sister Cathy". Latterly, this situation has changed, and many books have been written on the basis of more accurate knowledge. My own translation is based on the monumental edition of the original texts, as far as they could be certainly authenticated, by the late Professor Josef Quint of Cologne. However, I will as far as possible spare you boring technicalities.
It may be useful to introduce Eckhart to you backwards, as it were, with what may well be his parting words to his pupils before setting out for Avignon. They are found in a text which I feel is authentic.
'Meister Eckhart was besought by his good friends: "Give us something to remember, since you are going to leave us." He said: "I will give you a rule, which is the keystone of all that I have ever said, which comprises all truth that can be spoken of or lived. It often happens that what seems trivial to us is greater in God's sight than what looms large in our eyes. Therefore we should accept all things equally from God, not ever looking and wondering which is greater, or higher, or better. We should just follow where God points out for us, that is, what we are inclined to and to which we are most often directed, and where our bent is. If a man were to follow that path, God would give him the most in the least, and would not fail him. It often happens that people spurn the least, and thus they prevent themselves from getting the most in the least, which is wrong.
God is in all modes, and equal in all modes, for him who can take Him equally. People often wonder whether their inclinations come from God or not, and this is how to find out: if a man finds it within himself to be willing above all things to obey God's will in all things, provided he knew or recognised It, then he may know that whatever he is inclined to, or is most frequently directed to, is indeed from God.
'Some people want to find God as He shines before them, or as He tastes to them. They find the light and the taste, but they do not find God. Scripture declares that God shines in the darkness, where we sometimes least recognise Him. Where God shines least for us is often where He shines the most. Therefore we should accept God equally in all ways and in all things. Now someone might say: "I would take God equally in all ways and in all things, but my mind will not abide in this way or that, so much as in another." To that I say he is wrong. God is in all ways and equal in all ways, for anyone who can take Him so. If you get more of God in one way than another, that is fine, but it is not the best. God is in all ways and equal in all ways, for anyone who can take Him so. If you take one way, such and such, that is not God. If you take this and that, you are not taking God, for God is in all ways and equal in all ways, for anyone who can take him so. Now someone might say: "But if I do take God equally in all ways and in all things, do I not still need some special way?" Now see. In whatever way you find God most, and you are most often aware of Him, that is the way you should follow. But if another way presents itself, quite contrary to the first, and if, having abandoned the first way, you find God as much in the new way as in the one you have left, then that is right. But the noblest and best thing would be this, if a man were to come to such equality, with such calm and certainty that he could find God and enjoy Him in any way and in all things, without having to wait for anything or chase after anything: that would delight me! For this, and to this end, all works are done, and every work helps towards this. If anything does not help towards this, you should let it go.' Buddhism, God and Meister Eckhart
Related Documents:
- Buddha and God
- Joy is Born - Eckhart and Nagarjuna
- Meister Eckhart and Religious Comparison
- Buddhism God and Meister Eckhart - Current Page
External Resources on Meister Eckhart:
