Why I Still Want To Learn Yellow Bamboo Despite Having Learnt Many Other Paths?
It is well known amongst my close friends that I have learnt many paths. In fact, am regarded as an eccentric person because I am a “sponge” who would learn any spiritual path, sometimes, much to the annoyance of certain friends. I learn spiritual paths - high and low, and it does not make an iota of difference if I learn a low level and basic path next month!
I came from a Roman Catholic family that went to church every Sunday and have confession and Holy Communion. But, somehow, very strangely, I started to sit cross legged and close my eyes and meditated by myself at the tender age of 5! I saw no contradiction with my faith of that time. But, as I went to a Roman Catholic school later (my kindergarten, primary and secondary schools belonged to the same Roman Catholic diose), I was taught it is the “devil”. But it still never really crossed my mind that this is so. Therefore, I took to the inner path from a tender young age, and it can naturally be assumed that I have come across many, many paths - high and low. But I do not discriminate against any one of them because each has its own place and time!
Yellow Bamboo is a valid spiritual path. It is a path of inner practice and a combination of inner energy and spiritual energy. It stresses personal effort, virtue and God. It is divided into steps or levels as the patron deities and Pak Serengen saw fit. This structured path may be excellent for Westerners (I personally prefer non structured and “all goes, nothing goes, anything goes, chaos is no problem, more chaos – more enlightenment” approaches). It has the genuine transmission, which is still alive and strong at the present moment. This “living and genuine transmission” of power is most important, and is the essential characteristic I require of a spiritual teacher. In the Inner Sciences or mysticism of South east Asia, we call it “agi-agian” or “aji-ajian”. Powers and psychic feats are still demonstrably alive. Many spiritual systems can boast about these but are unable to demonstrate anything, and would make excuses not to prove what they claim, making people like James Randy and his sceptic followers very happy. The master of the Arnis/Eskrima tradition that I practise, the very great master, the late Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo, also had such powers of anting-anting or orascion.
Here are some of my criteria for a good path or teacher to learn from:-
1) Belief in omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God. (not a deity who is regarded as God)
2) Love, compassion, kindness and benevolence for all beings regardless of race, creed, status or path.
3) Determined endless selfless activity to benefit all beings.
4) Balanced approach in all things, whether spiritual, worldly, emotional etc. Not excessive or fanatical.
5) Teaches and practises all the virtues - practise what they teach.
eg., love, kindness, compassion, patience, morality, piety, humility, charity, etc.
6) Stable and grounded.
7) No violence in thought, word or deed. No teaching of such non-virtue - for whatever the reason.
8) No fighting, disharmony, criticism of other teachers.
9) Demonstrable “genuine and active transmission” - very important to obtain the blessings and fruits of practice.
Yellow Bamboo is just another path and another tool to use for the different types of people and situations you come across - each person has his/her own level and different ways are needed to accommodate different people.
Even in one's own life, different paths and methods must be used at various times and circumstances. I use, for myself, paths of all levels. Thus Yellow Bamboo is another one.
Thus, I am not saying that Yellow Bamboo is the best spiritual path ever. Such statements indicate the teacher is proud and not humble, and is opening himself/herself to fighting etc, will go down the path of fanaticism, fighting and disharmony, has love for himself/herself while masquerading as working for the benefit of other beings, etc. That is the wrong type of teacher, whatever he spiritual path!
Yes, I have learnt paths similar to Yellow Bamboo many times. I have paths that are even beyond Yellow Bamboo. But I still learn and propagate Yellow Bamboo. It is great, and it is very good for certain people. Therefore, it is my responsibility as a teacher, to learn and then propagate it to people who suit Yellow Bamboo. If you are reading this article, that means you have either some karma with me or Yellow Bamboo. So, why not try Yellow Bamboo? Don’t be too proud. Put aside your prejudices. Don’t be so reluctant. Give yellow Bamboo a try. If it does not suit you, there is no harm in not being an adherent. At least you know what it is about, and you know you may come back to it later on if you change your mind, or you may temporarily put it aside, and then use certain things from Yellow Bamboo to bring stability and happiness into your life later on. Not a problem! Do not be a slave to a spiritual path or master.
I have always learnt whatever path I come across as a “life habit”. I did not realise the significance of this until in 1976, and then 1977, when I was studying the differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, and was deliberating the qualities and training of a fully enlightened Buddha (Anutara Samyaksam Buddha) which takes eons and eons and eons. I realised that the training of such a special being requires learning basically almost everything, and manifesting in all types and levels of live infinitum in order to experience and learn the infinite situations, habits, vices, virtues, psychological profiles, hardship, suffering etc etc etc, in order that one may have the genuine and true experience to be able to teach others and eventually gradually manifest as a fully enlightened being. Accordingly, I prostrate to the great compassion and wisdom of all the accomplished Buddhas and all the Bodhisattvas ho are training to achieve the same state for the benefit of al beings.
Therefore, for those who are committed to the spiritual path - you thread the path because of God, and you serve his creation - the universe and all beings. It is your responsibility to learn all paths. There is no other way, and there is no excuses. You either thread your own path in your ignorance or incapability or arrogance, or you serve God and his creation. I can not tell you what to do. Only you can choose.
That is why I learn and propagate Yellow Bamboo.
May God bless you abundantly.
Your companion in the Path,
John Chow
Writen 4 November 2004