Monday, November 13, 2017

Dharma Bums - Study Guide

Generally Chapter 21 is a description by Kerouac's enlightenment.

On page 107 of Dharma Bums I found one term I was not familiar with, the word is Dhyana.
So I looked it up and here is a description of the Buddhist concept that is represented by the word Dhyana.

Summarized as simply as I can, Dhyana describes a set of practices aimed at linking insight to awareness through meditation with the goal of liberating oneself from the cycle/wheel of birth and death (karma) by liberating one's thinking from desire oriented thinking.

Unfortunately, this concept lies at the core of Buddhism and we could spend a lot of time talking about it.  My review of the Wikipedia summary informs me that this topic has been addressed for the last 2400 years with differing opinions that have led to different schools of thought. 

On page 108 is the term Triple Vehicle which refers to the three main schools of Buddhism, the Theravada or Hinayana, the Mahayana, and the Tantric Schools.  Geographically speaking Tantric is Tibetan Plateau (lots of chanting meditation), Hiniyana is southeast Asian and Sri Lanka (lots of chanting on a mantra), and Mahayana is China and Japan (lots of silent meditation to gain insight).  Zen is a sub-set of Mahayana. Kerouac was practicing Zen.     For a more detailed explanation, check the term  at http://www.ebudhaindia.com/india/three_vehicles.htm
Then on page 110 is Tathagata Seat of Purity.  This is a reference to the Buddha.  I suggest looking this one up on Wikipedia.  it expresses what Keroauc was saying.  The state of mind in which all form is emptiness and emptiness contains all form.  According to most people no one in physical form except the Buddha has ever achieved this perfect state of mind. the Wikipedia link is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tath%C4%81gata

Then on page 111 Kerouac refers to himself as "Bhikku Blank Rat".  This is a very personal reference, but a Bhikku is an ordained Buddhist Monk.  So it appears that Kerouac is giving himself a Buddhist name at the same time he is professing his ordination into Buddhism. Unfortunately, ordination can not be accomplished voluntarily; one must join a sangha or Buddhist monastery or school, like Gary Snyder did when he went to Japan. As far as I know Keerouac never took this step.

Chapter 21 is Kerouac's verbalization of his enlightenment experience as he sat in the North Carolina woods.  

The question is, Was Kerouac's associative style of writing related to his enlightenment?

Was it a result of the insight and clarity of description that is associated with an uncluttered mind or is it a part of his natural gift as an observer or his ability to write?  I think all three elements combined to help him create his style of writing, but you decide.

Another question is, If Kerouac was enlightened, why did he continue to drink?  He died of alcoholism in 1969 at the age of 47.  

For insight into that one probably needs to do more research into his life and psychic makeup.  A biography would help.  I have read 
Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, The Beat Generation, And America


Dennis Mcnally 
and I am still not clear on that.
Bob 

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