Bodging The Buddha’s Teaching

‘Bodging’ is a term for highly-skilled wood turners who cut green timber, and construct a pole lathe to make chairs.  Bodging can also refer to a job done of necessity, using whatever tools and materials come to hand and which, whilst not necessarily elegant, is nevertheless serviceable.

This not to be confused with a ‘botched’ job: a poor, incompetent or shoddy example of work,  deriving from the mediaeval word ‘botch’.

Making use of whatever is at hand is dealing with the raw materials at our disposal = karma!

Real dharma isn’t about copying ancient traditions that were suitable for sleepy people. Today, we are speedy people and have to deal with over-excitement, which can also dull the mind.

The main point of bodging is fun. There is no drudgery and repetition; bodging is living a life that is full of inspirations.

Traditionalists probably fear bodgers as they are slightly wild and creative 🙂 Traditionalists argue. Bodgers don’t have time for that, as inspiration is everywhere.

This is why the Buddha said, “Don’t take my word for it; see for yourself.” We focus on what is necessary. There is always the next moment of inspiration, so there’s no point in hanging on to the past.

Bodging is dealing with whatever is at hand
– and karma is very handy!
It’s with us all the time.

Bodging is our teacher.