The Name Says It All... Or Does It?

Why Amps For Buddha?

The Buddhists Are After Me And Some Of The Dharma:

 Why did I choose the name, Amps for Buddha? ...As I have grown to understand; as some would say, a Spiritual Awakening, Enlightenment, my own spiritual path, I have given the name Amps for Buddha (you could say it was given to me) for musical expression in it's purest form. In the same light I hope to light the path for others.

 In the few years of existence, I did not expect so much controversy, coming from all sides. ...So much is misunderstood.

 If you were to call me a Buddhist, you'd be missing the point (that is a whole nother discussion on it's own). But if you insist on calling me Buddhist, or a Buddhist, simply to place this idea in your box of understanding, I will take it, so that we can move on.

 There are many sects of the Buddhist "religion", again, I use this term loosely; there is Theravada, Mahayana, Nichiren, Shingon, Tiantai (Tendai), Shinnyo-e, Vajrayān, Pure Land, Tibetan and Zen. ...And I do not strictly follow any of these. And yet, I pull from many of these forms. If anything you can call me an unorthodox Buddhist or even orthodox, depending on how you look at it. All of these different sects have their positives, but much like with everything else, man has developed and argued over these ideas and (for my taste) have splintered the original intent. ...hence the different sects.

 There is no Buddhist bible, none is needed. Many texts have been written, understandings, origins, parables, questions, schools and teachings, but if there is a Buddhist bible you intend to find, it is a rather short one. It is simply the Four Noble Truths. ...From here is where I began my path of understanding.

 Here is an example where I depart from "traditional" Buddhism. ...I do believe (understand) in reincarnation. But! I do not understand it as the Tibetans do (or Hinduism for that matter). When we die, our bodies will decompose. We become food for the worms and the ground. I feel (here comes some physics), as it is understood that we can't create or destroy energy, as we become food for worms (energy), the worms will defecate (energy) or die off themselves becoming or creating food for the soil (energy). In turn, my original energy will have created a blade of grass, or help a young bird nourish it's growing body. ...The body has been reincarnated into other forms of energy.

 Now the Buddhists are after me! ...I have received much criticism from local monks, fellow path takers and other Buddhist communities. The major criticism is that, I am uneducated, undereducated, or I simply don't understand or that I'm making a mockery (heresy) of the Buddhist tradition. ...To that I say, and I've simply remind them, "We do not like that which we don't understand".

 Many others have denounced my efforts as "Devil" music, or worshiping a false idol, drawing attention away from their God. ...Normally, I try to encourage a conversation, and depending on the situation, I open with a statement, "Do you know, you wouldn't be a Christian without being a Buddhist first?". ...Again, this is a whole nother discussion.

And Now to the Other Side

 There is enough darkness in the world and my goal to shed some light, to share Buddhist insight. ...I am truly a fan of heavy music. And if I can blend these two elements together; Buddhism and Heavy Metal, and if I can engage the listener; then I have done my job. ...My own passion lies within as well as some of the Dharma.

...In the words of Jimi Hendrix, "Are You Experienced?".