The Song of the American Buddhist

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This poem by Elizabeth Noble published in June issue of the New English Review seems relivent not only for American Buddhist but for all Americans. The Song of the American Buddhist I Am a Warrior of Gesar of Ling by Elizabeth Noble (June 2007) Gesar of Ling was an 11th century Tibetan Buddhist spiritual warrior who defended his country from enemies in all four directions, North, South, East and West, from the Chinese, the Turks, the Mongols and the Arabs. After he defeated them all, he sealed the country. Gesar was one of the most brilliant generals in humanity’s history of war. Before each battle, he would sing songs of his intent to the enemy army. His story has been passed down orally in an epic poetic form for a thousand years. Some of it has been translated into English but not all, as there are versions that last days. Gesar is considered by one school to be the reincarnation of the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava. The titles in bold are translations from the epic. This poem is an answer to his statements of intent. The Song of the American Buddhist: I Am a Warrior of Gesar of Ling (with gratitude the great Tibetan hero) Introduction Oh members of Islam, I am Elizabeth Neeley Noble, a daughter of courageous warriors, a sister to those who suffer, a mother to all that need me, and a lover of all mankind. My Reasons for the Battle Oh members of Islam, we welcomed you at the table of humanity and you did not see fit to sit and break bread with us. You have declared war on us although we treated you with kindness and respect. Oh members of Islam, your actions are the source of great suffering, your ideas are negative forces in this world that must be subdued and destroyed. It is my duty to defend and preserve the dharma, it is my duty as a lover of humanity to protect myself, my family, my friends and others. It is my duty to protect my civilization and its right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (enlightenment) from your subjugation, your ignorance, greed, hatred and delusion. A Description of Our Field of Battle Our battleground is the world, in the cities and towns, in the countryside, farms and forests, our battleground is where ever we are, for the demons lords of the great hordes lurk where there is consciousness. Consciousness is the battlefield for victory of right over wrong, peace over hostility, joy over suffering, freedom over suppression, through acts of compassion expressed in the form of war. The Crimes of My Opponents Oh members of Islam, you lie, cheat, steal, torture and murder your fellow man. You treat women as chattel and condone slavery. You cannot co-exist but must be masters of the material world, all must submit to your way of life or die. You are hateful and cruel. Pain and suffering follow you, as do the desert sands of poverty. You proudly proclaim your ignorance, you are arrogant and envious, petty and contentious. Your ideas and deeds are negative forces in the world. For these crimes against the life and spirit of humanity, Islam, you must be overcome, Islam, you must be destroyed. The Dangers of My Weapons Oh members of Islam, The sword of my tongue and pen cuts through your web of silken lies and strikes deep into your head, into your hardened heart, cutting off the root of your arrogant ignorance. Beware! The beat of my war drum enchants you and you fall at my feet. The beat of the drum is the beat of my compassionate heart. Beware! The diamond mind will cause you to cower in fear, to turn your eyes from its sight, to be blinded by its light of Truth. My most dangerous weapon is the way of love, compassion and wisdom, the way of the clear white light. The Consequences My Opponents Will Face when the Warriors of Gesar of Ling are Victorious. Oh members of Islam, You will face defeat and come to understand the depth of humility. You will lay your weapons down and bow to the empty mind and the loving heart. You will face the fear of living and learn to let your illusions fade into emptiness. You will face your worst enemy and find that it is no other than yourself. You will have great remorse for your evil ideas and deeds and plead for forgiveness. You will vow to serve all humanity for eternity to the best of your ability. Amen.