Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The Case for A Tibetan Buddhist Halloween

We already got the masks and costumes. Save a bundle right there.

Stepping right past the argument that every day is Halloween in Tibetan Buddhism -- let the pundits wrestle on the floor if they must -- I want to take a firm stand in favor of declaring October 31st as not only the traditional Halloween, but a value-added Tibetan Buddhist Halloween.

We'll re-name it for ecclesiastical purposes as the "Day of Honesty," or El Dia de la Honestidad (because then we can have a pinata). Alternately -- and with a tinge of Venetian menace -- we can name it La Giornata Dionesta (no pinata, but a dagger -- even better still -- but, shouldn't that be Il giorno della dionesta?).

Yes, yes... I know it is June, but one can never be too proactive. I want to get a head start on this thing.

Question: So, why, if everybody is wearing masks, do we call it the "Day of Honesty?"

Answer: Because everything is a great, lying projection -- and we're just being honest about it.

Question: But, don't we already have something very similar to Halloween?

Answer: Yes, actually, we do... but, it doesn't fall on October 31st.

Question: Then, why bother with October 31st?

Answer: Well, what with Pema Chodron going on Oprah and all, I thought we were mainstreaming.

Question: This is terrible. Why don't you just shut up?

Answer: Hold it right there, buster (or busterette). We've got the masks, right? We've even got a long and glorious tradition of going around with begging bowls, right? You put masks and begging bowls together, and what do you have? Go ahead... you tell me.

Question: Isn't there any way to shut you up?

Answer: Trick or treat!




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