Dramaturgy
BUDDHISM & SPIRITUALITY
The Other Shore is a reference to the Buddhist concepts of enlightenment and Nirvana, the title is pulled from The Raft Parable, a piece of Buddhist literature in which the Buddha explains how some attatchments are essential for reaching where you need to go, but like all things cannot be held on to forever. More broadly, a reference to something out of reach, unseen, not yet explored, possibly unattainable.
A self proclaimed atheist with a reverence for the unseen, Gao makes use of Buddhist texts and imagery to explore the futility of blind conformity to religion. It is a common experience in our journey as humans to search for purpose, for something which will make all the pieces of the perplexing world we live in fall in alignment with one another. Many people turn to work or similar practical endeavors, some to philosophizing and writing, but perhaps the most quintessential experience is to turn to religion for fulfillment. Reverence and modesty are manipulated in The Other Shore possibly as an attempt to resist definition and emphasize individuality over conformity. The cacophonous entrance of the the monks and the exposure of the Zen Master’s shoulder from under the kasaya robes, shunning the cultural modesty of the robes traditional to China as a region, seem to nod in the direction of making what would be natural appear distorted and nonsensical. Gao plays with the notion that religion should be the shining example of the institution which has the ability to answer any question and meet every need.
Without intention of misrepresenting the Buddhist practices we portray on stage or falling short of doing the script justice, our production is honored to perform these scenes with the utmost respect for both the culture that is brought forth on the page and the playwright. We acknowledge our status as students going to university in America with little to no experience with or affiliation to Buddhism, which is why we are continuing to make every effort to educate ourselves in the culture and religious canon of Mahayana and Zen Buddhism, using that knowledge to engage in respectful representation of the scenes we present.
A brief reference is included below to guide in understanding of the meanings behind the vocabulary and concepts we explore onstage.
underlined words are links
Mahayana Buddhism: Buddhism split into two major schools, the Theravada and the Mahayana, and most Buddhist scriptures fall into either one or both of the school’s canons. Within the Mahayana canon there exists another split: the Tibetan canon and the Chinese canon. In the Chinese canon some of the most referenced sutras are the The Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita) Sutras, a collection of 40 sutras of which the Diamond (Vajracchedika) sutra and Heart sutra are the most referenced. Mahayana Buddhism follows the philosophy of Buddha’s Second Turning of the Dharma Wheel. It is theorized in this school of thought that all dharmas are emptiness and that all reality is illusion. While the Theravada school emphasizes individual enlightenment, the Mahayana school emphasizes becoming a bodhisattva.
Zen Buddhism: A branch of Buddhism made up of Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. Practitioners of Zen Buddhism are Buddhists who believe in the goal of enlightenment, but who do not believe in getting bogged down in texts. Studying texts in their opinion is an ineffective means of obtaining enlightenment, they instead embody Zen meditation in their daily lives. Zen is believed to be something someone does.
Enlightenment/ Nirvana: Reaching enlightenment is thought to be a state of perfect understanding, the answer to suffering. The Buddha once explained what it means to be a buddha and reach enlightenment: “What has to be known, that I have known; What has to be abandoned, that I have abandoned; What has to be developed, that I have developed; Therefore, O brahmin, I am a Buddha.”
Dharma: The concept of dharma is incredibly broad. It basically encompasses all reality or phenomenon. It can also refer to the teachings of the Buddha, specifically the realization of enlightenment.
Sutras: texts referenced in Buddhism which are thought to be the direct words of the Buddha or of his major disciples. Canons of schools of Buddhisms are made up of collections of sutras.
Venerable: a title given to ordained monks, persons held in high regard.
Tathagata: The direct translation of this word has many interpretations, but ultimately refers to a buddha or one who has obtained enlightenment. Some of the interpretations include ‘the one who has thus gone’, ‘the one who has thus come’, ‘one who has become perfect’, and ‘one who has discovered truth’.
Bodhisattva: refers to any student or follower of Buddhism who seeks enlightenment and is on the path to becoming a buddha. Bodhisattvas strive to obtain interconnected, collective enlightenment with all living beings.
The Vajracchedika Prajna paramita Sutra (The Diamond Sutra): Sometimes translated as “The Diamond That Cuts Through Illusion”, this sutra is one of the major sutras of the Mahayana Buddhist canon. It is said to cut though false perceptions or illusions in the world.
Amitabha: Translates from Sanskrit to “Infinite Light”. A monk named Dharmakara gained a large following and promised his followers that upon becoming a buddha he would ensure that all of his followers who called upon him would obtain enlightenment. He eventually became known as the buddha Amitabha in the Western Paradise. Chanting or singing the name amitabha is a devotional practice in Buddhism to be done sincerely and consciously to keep the teachings of Zen Buddhism and the Buddha in mind.