…when there is so much suffering in the world?” — Siddhartha
Thanks to the generous invitation of our friends at Washington Life Magazine, I was treated to an extremely cool VIP grand opening party for DC’s very own Buddha Bar. For those of you unfamiliar with the Buddha’s teachings, let me try to kill two reviews with one stone:
The first noble truth is that life is suffering — not just the physical pain of Christian Louboutin towering stilettos, but also psychological suffering like fear and the embarrassment of not being on the list. Thanks for clearing that up, John!
The second noble truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. The Buddha says that we will suffer if we expect others to conform to our expectation (e.g., hoping that self-important social climbers respect the queue or limit themselves to a few pieces of sushi, leaving some for the rest of us — this is not Red Lobster in low light).
The third noble truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained…but not by Botox. Nirvana isn’t a race to the bottom of the glass, but it sure was fun trying (shout out to service queen of the evening, Elizabeth).
The realization of Nirvana is waking up to the true nature of reality — not the velvet rope rope reality, but the reality that lives right next door to DC’s Buddha Bar: House of Ruth’s Unity Inn. Just one of 13 houses throughout the city serving more than 600 women and children, reality for many is domestic violence, homelessness, mental health disorders and addiction stemming from the complex trauma of neglect and abuse. I can only wonder (with gross embarrassment) what they thought of the spectacle as it paraded past.
The fourth noble truth is that the noble eight-fold path is the way which leads to the end of suffering (which is not to say your Snuggie, three Advil and a pint of Häagen-Daz). It’s accepting impermanence; acting from love and compassion; non-harmful, truthful communication; neither exploiting yourself nor others; being mindful of things, oneself, feelings, thoughts, people and the real reality — those without food, shelter, comfort, health insurance, jobs…choices.
I’m not a Buddhist but I have been to the Buddha Bar (well, two actually); I’m not suggesting that you deny yourself a glimpse at the 18 foot statue or look upon the dozen chandeliers that wouldn’t fit in most apartments (and cast off as much light as a digital clock). After all, it was Buddha (and Julia Child) who advocated the “middle way” — a path of moderation, neither extreme indulgence nor deprivation.
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