Buddhism: An Introduction · General Buddhism · Theravada · Mahayana · Tibetan · Zen or Ch'an · Other Traditions of Asian Origin · Krishnamurti
Krishnamurti
"Truth is a pathless land."
With these words, a young Indian man in 1929 dissolved the organization created for him to proclaim the coming of a new "World Teacher." He had been "recognized" by the leaders of the Theosophical Society, an organization believing in the essential unity of all major religions, as the incarnation of the next of a series of world teachers, of whom the Buddha and Jesus were thought to be predecessors. From a young age, Krishnamurti and his younger brother (whom he would not part with) were brought up and educated by the Theosophical Society, after consent was obtained from his father. As the young man grew and absorbed what he saw in his travels and other experiences, he began to discern the contradictions and futility of organized religion as a vehicle for truth. Finally, at a summer camp meeting of the Order of the Star of the East in western Europe, he dissolved the organization in front of 3000 listeners, giving the famous line quoted above as the central theme.
Krishnamurti maintained that you do not reach truth by following any religion, dogma, doctrine, or methodology; that you do not experience it by being anyone's disciple, by following any guru or priest; and most emphatically he did not want anyone to be his followers. Instead, over the next 57 years until his death in 1986, he urged any who would listen to think for themselves. In its essence, his teachings were squarely in-line with Buddhism in its fundamentals, but without the Buddha and without the "ism." I am reminded of the Zen koan: "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him!" In Zen, even the veneration of the most reverred forebear, Siddhartha Gautama, has to be put aside to experience direct reality.
I am also reminded of Monty Python's Life of Brian, the film which superbly satirizes the result of just the kind of fanatical following of gurus and messiahs that Krishnamurti saw was keeping humankind from experiencing truth. The scene in the movie, when Brian, a contemporary of Jesus, is pursued by a large crowd of followers who take him for a messiah is instructive. Brian escapes from the crowd, only to find them assembled outside his window the next morning, demanding a sermon. The words Brian gives could have been spoken by Krishnamurti:
"You don't need to follow me. You don't need to follow anybody! . . . You've all got to work it out for yourselves."
This quote and the words of Krishnamurti reported at the top of this page are so central to the attitude of Mindbird Maps & Books, that they have been included on my bookmarks!
In his talks, Krishnamurti was direct and uncompromising. He tried to evoke independent thinking, did not want his listener to accept what he said without questioning.
The many books on his talks and reflections give us the open, liberated sense of the man, who appeared to be truly living in the present, awake. And all things considered, what better world teacher can we ever hope to have?
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Books
J. Krishnamurti, All the Marvelous EarthAn anthology of K's writings on nature, illustrated with evocative color photos.
"If you have no relationship with nature you have no relationship with man. Nature is the meadows, the groves, the rivers, all the marvelous earth, the trees, and the beauty of the earth. If we have no relationship with that, we shall have no relationship with each other." Contributing photographers include Mark Edwards, Peter Arnold, Galen Rowell, and more.
Krishnamurti Publications of America, 2000. 108 pages, about 8½ x 9½ inches, paperback. New.
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J. Krishnamurti, Education and the Significance of Life "This classic Krishnamurti work demonstrates that education which does not result in deep integration of thought, feeling, and outlook is useless. It points out that many contemporary methods of teaching emphasize slavish conformity to mass values and overstress technique; these must be changed. Education and the Significance of Life offers an alternative approach that stresses self-knowledge and a surrounding of freedom and love for the child, to help create an atmosphere in which real education can take place."
HarperSanFrancisco/HarperCollins, 1981 (first published 1953). 125 pages, about 5¼ x 8 inches, paperback. New.
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J. Krishnamurti, Freedom From the Known Edited by Mary Luytens
"In this classic work, Krishnamurti shows how people can free themselves radically and immediately from the tyranny of the expected, no matter what their age. And, by first changing themselves, people can then change the whole structure of society and their relationships. The vital need for change and the recognition of its very possibility constitute the rich essence of Krishnamurti's message in Freedom From the Known. Major themes include: Awareness, Man's Search, and The Tortured Mind."
HarperSanFrancisco/HarperCollins, 1969. 124 pages, about 5¼ x 8 inches, paperback. New.
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J. Krishnamurti, On Fear"On Fear is a collection of Krishnamurti's most profound observations and thoughts on how fear and dependence affect our lives and prevent us from seeing our true selves. Among the many questions Krishnamurti addresses in these remarkable teachings are: How can a mind that is afraid love? and What can a mind that depends on attachment know of joy? He points out that the voice of fear makes the mind dull and insensitive, and argues that the roots of hidden fears, which limit us and from which we constantly seek escape, cannot be discovered through analysis of the past. Questioning whether the exercise of will can eliminate the debilitating effects of fear, he suggests, instead, that only a fundamental realization of the root of all fear can free our minds."
HarperSanFrancisco/HarperCollins, 1995. 122 pages, about 5¼ x 8 inches, paperback. New.
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J. Krishnamurti, On Love and LonelinessLike the preceding title, this is one of a series of topical anthologies of K’s works. This book is “a compelling investigation of our intimate relationships with ourselves, others, and society. Krishnamurti suggests that ‘true relationship’ can come into being only when there is self-knowledge of the conditions which divide and isolate individuals and groups. Only by renouncing the self can we understand the problem of loneliness, and truly love.”
HarperSanFrancisco, 1993. 155 pages, about 5 x 8 inches, paperback. New.
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Krishnamurti, Think on These ThingsA collection of talks to students, teachers, and parents in India, including questions from his audiences. This is a very good introduction to Krishnamurti's way of thinking that I find compelling. Here's an example:
"Questioner: Does the soul survive after death?
"Krishnamurti: If you really want to know, how are you going to find out? By reading what Shankara, Buddha or Christ has said about it? By listening to your own particular leader or saint? They may all be totally wrong. Are you prepared to admit this—which means that your mind is in a position to inquire?
"You must first find out, surely, whether there is a soul to survive. What is the soul? Do you know what it is? Or have you merely been told that there is a soul—told by your parents, by the priest, by a particular book, by your cultural environment—and accepted it?. . ." From Chapter 10, "Inward Beauty"
HarperPerennial, 1970, originally published 1964. 258 pages, about 5¼ x 8 inches, paperback. New.
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J. Krishnamurti, Total Freedom: The Essential Krishnamurti"Described by the Dalai Lama as 'one of the greatest thinkers of the age,' J. Krishnamurti has influenced millions throughout the twentieth century, and his thoughts continue to resonate even a decade after his death. His words have influenced such notables as Dr. Jonas Salk, Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, Van Morrison, Bruce Lee, and countless other students of the spiritual path, ranging from scientists to philosophers to artists of all kinds. Practical, profound, and timeless, Krishnamurti's ideas—rejecting the prejudices of traditional learning, celebrating personal, spiritual freedom and the individual's search for Truth—are inspiring now more than ever. Collected in this comprehensive volume are the most illuminating and essential of his writings and talks: words that are of vital relevance to today's spiritual environment, and catalytic in guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves, our place in the universe, and the mysteries of the human condition."
HarperCollins, 1996. 370 pages, about 6 x 9 inches, paperback. New.
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J. Krishnamurti and David Bohm, The Ending of Time Fascinating dialogues between K and physicist David Bohm which took place in 1980. "The starting point of this in-depth, sustained discussion is the question: 'Has humanity taken a wrong turn, which has brought about endless division, conflict, and destruction?' This leads to an exploration of the nature of humanity and a person's relationship to society, and new insights on human thought, death, awakening insight, cosmic order, and the problem of the fragmented mind."
HarperSanFrancisco/HarperCollins, 1985. 268 pages, about 5¼ x 8 inches, paperback. New.
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For more information about Krishnamurti's teachings, visit the website of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America. They do an admirable job of presenting his views while trying to avoid the trap of following him or worse, worshipping him—acts which in themselves would show complete misunderstanding of his life.
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