Bodhisattva Whores
From the beginnings of Zen, there has been the teaching of ordinary life being the location of awakened life. Examples include chopping wood, carrying water, making dinner, or even defecating. But historically we rarely see the topic of sex come to the fore, except as a cautionary tale of the dangers of greed, desire or passion.
There have, however, been stories and traditions of sexually prominent women who have been significant in our community. The Nirvana Sutra tells of Ambapali, known as the ‘Mango Woman’ (not a complementary term of the day), who invited the Buddha and his followers to her home for lunch and received a dharma talk directly from the Buddha. The Garland Flower Sutra describes Vasumitra, a prostitute, who teaches her fellow disciple Sudhana the concept of Skillful Means, bringing people to the experience of awakening with a gaze or a kiss.
I use the word Whore here, knowing that for some it is inflammatory, because it is in stark contrast to how we usually think of a highly spiritually developed personage like a Bodhisattva.
But what is a Bodhisattva, and what makes a whore qualify? A Bodhisattva is a being who forsakes their own entry into Nirvana in order to assist others to awakening. Some traditions describe only a few Bodhisattvas, others speak of all as potentials. Bodhisattvas live according to the 6 Paramitas, or virtues, of Generosity, Morality, Equanimity, Vitality, Mindfulness, and Wisdom. Let us consider each one.
Generosity - What could be more generous than to give our bodies to be enjoyed by another, to be well used for their pleasure? With generosity, we may also open our heart to another, to genuinely care for their wellbeing, even if for a short time, and even in exchange for money.
Morality – Another way to say this is to do no harm. What could be farther from doing harm than to give another pleasure? To offer a reprieve, a respite from the ongoing experiences of old age, sickness and death? With morality, we attempt to act with integrity with our own values, in spite of the daily struggle of those situations that fall in the gray twilight of the poles of our social moral teachings.
Equanimity – The ability to face each new moment with calmness, as if each moment is equal in value to another moment. What situation could we find ourselves in that would require more equanimity than to directly experience another’s clumsiness, awkward lust, bad breath or offensive fantasies? We may find ourselves the object of another’s lust, disgust, or even love, and hold them clearly in the midst of this. With equanimity, we do not pick and chose who will come seeking comfort, but meet each person calmly and with welcome.
Vitality - What is more vital than the energy of arousal? To allow our desires to be awakened in service to another? To feel the pounding of the blood in our ears and feel the catch of breath in our chest as we open our hearts and genitals to another? With vitality, we tap into that great flow of energy that drives life forward, to breath deeply and fully into our immediate experience, allowing the excitement of the moment to bring us into the present with it.
Mindfulness - What greater opportunity is there for mindfulness than when in the arms of another? Bringing our awareness to the senses – to gaze into the other’s eyes, to smell their musk, to taste their sweat, feel the texture of their skin, to hear their gasps and moans? In mindfulness we are attentive to our experience as we care for another’s.
And finally wisdom - The direct experience of the transitory nature of all existence. What could be more transitory than a short encounter to open to another, sharing intimately and with no thought of seeing the person again? With wisdom we may experience the vulnerability, as well as the profound joy, of directly living life moment by moment.
I am not suggesting that all whores are Bodhisattvas but neither would I suggest that all priests are Bodhisattvas. Certainly they are not, though it has been suggested by our ancestors that all beings are Bodhisattvas, and would that not include even the crack whore stumbling down the street?
This article is an attempt to express my gratitude to these great Bodhisattvas past and present. We are benefited by the fruits of their labors.
If whores can practice the Paramitas with each person they comfort and touch, and they often do, could we not then attempt to bring some of their wisdom to our bedrooms, with the ones we love?