Sharks Gameday: What is Luck? Part 2

by Megalodon on Dec 21, 2011 5:00 AM PST

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

While you read this, please enjoy the "What is Luck?" theme song

Previously I presented an overview of luck as seen by ancient Greek mythology. Today I'm going to look at what Buddhism says about luck.

What is Buddhism?

According to The Buddhist Centre:

Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of reality. Buddhist practices like meditation are means of changing yourself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. [...] Because Buddhism does not include the idea of worshiping a creator god, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense.

What do Buddhists believe about luck?

The Buddha taught that there is no such thing as "luck," as explained by Buddha Net:

The dictionary defines luck as 'believing that whatever happens, either good or bad, to a person in the course of events is due to chance, fate or fortune.' The Buddha denied this belief completely. Everything that happens has a specific cause or causes and there must be some relationships between the cause and the effect.

That's pretty straight-forward. 2500 years ago the Buddha expressed a view that actually meshes well with what most modern, educated people would say about luck: "luck" is just a word people use when they don't understand (or don't want to accept) the causes that led to a certain result.

From the Buddhist perspective, believing in luck, fortune telling, magic charms, and similar superstitions are all pitfalls along the path to true happiness.

In the teachings of the Buddha, it is honesty, kindness, understanding, patience, forgiveness, generosity, loyalty and other good qualities that truly protect you and give you true prosperity.

How can we apply these thoughts to hockey?

Because one of the foundations of Buddhism is the belief that desire is at the root of suffering, the religion is antithetical to competitive sports (although some yoga competitions can get pretty intense). Depending on the perspective of the individual believer the Buddhist view of life can be compatible with individual athletic activities such as marathon running, but any activity which centers on points, victory, or competition is in direct opposition to Buddhism from the very start.

The Buddha would say that it is a serious mistake to become obsessed with sports. Fans like us that spend so much time worrying about how our sports teams are performing are wasting our lives trapped in "samsara," the cycle of suffering. If we ever hope to achieve true enlightenment we should try to stop caring about unimportant things like hockey and start working on our own personal development.

But what did the Buddha know anyways, huh?

Buddha_medium

If the Buddha was so smart then explain why this exists.

So we're just going to ignore everything the Buddha ever said about how we should live our lives because hockey is cooler than the Buddha. Suck on that, Gautama!

Buddhism teaches that everything that happens to us in life, good or bad, is the result of a cause. In hockey terms, that means that events which we attribute to "luck" are actually brought about by specific causes. If a team is losing a lot of games, for example, we should be looking at all the possible causes behind those losses. Rather than saying a team is "unlucky" we should strive to understand the underlying causes - so that we can attempt to alter the results.

How can this help the Sharks?

The most glaring problem for the Sharks right now is the penalty kill. Attributing their 29th-ranked PK to "bad luck" does nothing to actually fix the problem - a problem that persisted all last season and has continued for the first third of this season. I've already spent time trying to identify the causes for the PK's suckyness, so I won't rehash that here. According to Buddhist thought, if the Sharks hope to address the penalty killing issue, they should spend time examining the causes behind the issue and attempting to fix those things which are in their power to fix.

If the penalty kill still sucks after that, well...I don't know. Go meditate or something, I guess.

Next Game

Tampa Bay Lightning
@ San Jose Sharks

Wednesday, Dec 21, 2011, 7:30 PM PST
HP Pavilion

Complete Coverage >

Another important principle of Buddhism is the idea of "Mettā," or "loving-kindness." It is a form of meditation and involves thinking loving thoughts about (in order) yourself, a good friend, a "neutral" person, and a "difficult" person. Sounds good!

1. Myself: It would make me feel happy if the Sharks won tonight. I'm a nice guy and I work hard to write interesting and entertaining blog posts for people, and I deserve to feel happy.

2. Good Friend: I hope my good friend Martin Havlat is able to heal quickly from his fluke leg injury. He's a valuable member of the Sharks and the team needs him to be healthy. I also hope Brent Burns will -

For the practice of Mettā one should avoid choosing someone to whom one is sexually attracted

Oh, really? Okay then never mind.

3. A "neutral" person: I have nothing against the Lightning or Martin St. Louis at all. I hope St. Louis can come back to the team soon, because he's a very exciting player to watch. I love Guy Boucher and his sinister scar and I hope the Lightning totally dominate the crazy new division they will get stuck in next season.

4. A "difficult" person: I hope Chris Pronger's brain doesn't liquify and ooze out of his ears.

That last one was really hard. I really AM a nice guy.

Prediction: Ultimately, competition is a foolish distraction from the true path to enlightenment. So really it doesn't matter that the Sharks are going to absolutely DEMOLISH the Lightning.

P.S. My 52nd-favorite movie is The Empire Strikes Back. Today's post has nothing to do with that film, so here is a cartoon.

P.P.S Just in case it was the Poseidon hymn in my previous What is Luck? post that helped the Sharks win, I'll include it again here:

I begin to sing about Poseidon, the great god, mover of the earth and fruitless sea, god of the deep who is also lord of Helicon and wide Aegae. A two-fold office the gods allotted you, O Shaker of the Earth, to be a tamer of horses and a saviour of ships!

Hail, Poseidon, Holder of the Earth, dark-haired lord! O blessed one, be kindly in heart and help the San Jose Sharks!

Tweet Comment 64 comments | 2 recs |

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Comments

I found this post enlightening….!

Niles: You'll see who feels foolish when I'm sitting on a mechanical bull sipping champagne.
www.battleofcali.com

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 21, 2011 5:58 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

some metta for me:

myself: Im awesome and spunky make people laugh at and with me…I deserve all the intercourse I get..I really do love me..may a new job be in my future

good friend: I hope my good friend jack daniels keeps bringing joy to others…and reaping in profits…he was rewarded with a new friend honey jack…

nuetral person: I dont know you scarlett johansson…but I wish you..

For the practice of Mettā one should avoid choosing someone to whom one is sexually attracted

shit…um…gary oldman…your awesome…hope you get more awesome roles and are banging hookers left and right..you deserve it pal

difficult person: oh rudy…i wish they will past an admendment so you can marry a dog…god speed sir!

Niles: You'll see who feels foolish when I'm sitting on a mechanical bull sipping champagne.
www.battleofcali.com

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 21, 2011 6:06 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

I deserve all the intercourse I get

Let the record show that I did not turn this into a prison rape joke. Thank you.

by meetyourmako on Dec 21, 2011 3:43 PM PST up reply actions

So we’re just going to ignore everything the Buddha ever said about how we should live our lives because hockey is cooler than the Buddha.

Another important principle of Buddhism is the idea of “Mettā,”

My metta: Fuck you Budda—hockey is awesome.

Hail Poseidon

http://5minutesformurder.blogspot.com

by 4Kills5 on Dec 21, 2011 7:50 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

GO SHARKS!

Great post Meg. I never was one to believe in luck, or unluck or jinxing myself. Life is what it is.

So I’m checking out Raw Charge, not over there that often, and they have this great “”http://www.rawcharge.com/2011/12/20/2649752/caption-this" target="new">Caption This" post. Don’t know how with that picture they expect people to keep it PG.

GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 8:27 AM PST reply actions

UGH! at the link not being a link … let’s try that again.

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 8:28 AM PST up reply actions

i think price is saying…ahem…excuse me…do u have a condom on?

Niles: You'll see who feels foolish when I'm sitting on a mechanical bull sipping champagne.
www.battleofcali.com

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 21, 2011 8:43 AM PST up reply actions

Price: “Is it in yet? The puck, I mean…”

by meetyourmako on Dec 21, 2011 12:17 PM PST up reply actions

I think you can both believe that an event had a knowable cause and believe in luck. Actually, I think that’s what most people believe.

The Amish girl in Pennsylvania that was killed by a bullet accidentally shot by a guy cleaning his gun a mile away was mind-bogglingly unlucky, even though the sequence of events that led to her death are pretty clearly known.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Dec 21, 2011 10:17 AM PST reply actions

My best friend who is a buddhist would like you to know there are many forms of buddhism, and not all agree with classical buddhism.

She is a practicer of Nichiren Buddhism which Buddhism for the everyday person, (because let’s face it, not everyone is going to throw away their lives to go live in a temple) Her Buddhism does agree with sports and she would say that if the Sharks play with heart, determination, and love for their fellow human beings, they will succeed.

I'm warning you! I have ADHD and I know how to use it!!!
Good job Giants, now win 3 more world series titles and then you just might be worthy of being mentioned in the same league as the A's.
THAT IS NABOKOV IN NET NOT NITTYMAKISHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!
San Jose: Being Kept save from ferocious enemies by the Sharks and Earthquakes since 91 and 96.

by Diamondback15 on Dec 21, 2011 10:24 AM PST reply actions

Ask your friend how the Buddhist belief that desire and craving causes suffering can be compatible with the desire to win a competitive event.

I’m not being a jerk, I really want to know how it works.

President of the Brent Burns Robotic Sex-Pants Fan Club.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Dec 21, 2011 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

I'll ask her. I was going to call her at 11 anyway.

by Diamondback15 on Dec 21, 2011 10:34 AM PST up reply actions

Also what does karate say about luck?

President of the Brent Burns Robotic Sex-Pants Fan Club.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Dec 21, 2011 10:34 AM PST up reply actions

It depends on the Sensei I think, but generally that it doesn't exist. We are taught to seize out own fate. Fight for what we believe, that kind of thing.

As for Nichiren Buddhism, she says that suffering will happen it can not be avoided, it is how you approach, ie, with good spirit, that makes the difference (I think I broke that sentence). As for competitive sports, there hasn’t been a direct conversation about it, but she says that by what they teach, its a good thing, as long as you approach suffering through defeat with the right spirit. (For many of you thats probably booze)

by Diamondback15 on Dec 21, 2011 11:19 AM PST up reply actions

yea…some bombay sapphire is the right spirit for me!!….

Niles: You'll see who feels foolish when I'm sitting on a mechanical bull sipping champagne.
www.battleofcali.com

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 21, 2011 11:22 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

you’re killing it today, spade

by meetyourmako on Dec 21, 2011 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

What is the sound of one Spade whacking?

by dikfor on Dec 21, 2011 4:21 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

I’m not being a jerk

sorry no one believes you

Niles: You'll see who feels foolish when I'm sitting on a mechanical bull sipping champagne.
www.battleofcali.com

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 21, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions

I was about to say

Why is he posting on BoC then?

One more thing Boston is a racist town? YOU DONT SAY?!?!?!?!?
by SoxAcumen on Aug 27, 2011 11:56 AM PDT

by Briceratops on Dec 21, 2011 12:21 PM PST up reply actions

I’m a practicing Theravada Buddhist and I’ve never once thought about this. In fact, I think our temple has it’s own basketball team.

"I've seen enough movies to know that popping the back of a raft makes it go faster!" - Troy Barnes, Community
Free Demers!

by Kuzcotopia on Dec 21, 2011 2:22 PM PST up reply actions

Why is everyone so bad at Buddhism? You’re lucky I’m here to keep you informed.

President of the Brent Burns Robotic Sex-Pants Fan Club.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Dec 21, 2011 3:21 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I don’t consider the opposing team or their fans ‘fellow human beings’ the night we play them so I don’t mind that statement.

I’m sticking with Poseidon though.

Hail Poseidon!

http://5minutesformurder.blogspot.com

by 4Kills5 on Dec 21, 2011 10:37 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Her Buddhism does agree with sports and she would say that if the Sharks play with heart, determination, and love for their fellow human beings, they will succeed.

I asked Buddhism analyst Mike Milbury for his take on Nichiren Buddhism:

Another example of the pansification of Buddhism by one of the pink hats. Fighting has always been part of Buddhism, and always will be.

I tried to get a follow-up, but there was a 12 year old kid talking trash to Milbury’s son nearby, and he had to go “break up” the fight by throttling the little puke.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Dec 21, 2011 12:22 PM PST up reply actions

DalaiLama
With inner strength or mental stability, we can endure all kinds of adversity.

you really should’ve consulted the dalai lama twitter for this… ;)

Мы в любовь играли,
И как кровь из вены капает слеза.

by sleza on Dec 21, 2011 11:30 AM PST reply actions

DalaiLama
I am a man of religion, but religion alone cannot answer all our problems.

Мы в любовь играли,
И как кровь из вены капает слеза.

by sleza on Dec 21, 2011 11:30 AM PST up reply actions

whoa the Dalai Lama has a twitter account?! I’ve been missing out

by meetyourmako on Dec 21, 2011 12:22 PM PST up reply actions

yea, he does

Мы в любовь играли,
И как кровь из вены капает слеза.

by sleza on Dec 21, 2011 12:23 PM PST up reply actions

Anyone else cool have a twitter that you have been keeping from us?

One more thing Boston is a racist town? YOU DONT SAY?!?!?!?!?
by SoxAcumen on Aug 27, 2011 11:56 AM PDT

by Briceratops on Dec 21, 2011 12:26 PM PST up reply actions

city raccoon!

Мы в любовь играли,
И как кровь из вены капает слеза.

by sleza on Dec 21, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

I’m following now!

To bring about a better world, let us all strive together with vision, with courage, and with optimism.

With inner strength or mental stability, we can endure all kinds of adversity.

Go, Sharks!

by meetyourmako on Dec 21, 2011 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

Great Post Meg

I would think that since hockey is a form of “simulated” combat, in which points and goals serve as substitutes for the rape and pillage of real warfare and conquest, that it is actually compatible with all but the most strict interpretations of Buddhism.

Although the competition can be fierce and even violent, there is a larger consensus or code that almost all players believe in, one that emphasizes honor, respect, and compassion. As role models for society at large, NHL players can satisfy our natural urges for competition and violence, allowing us to live vicariously through them, and therefore freeing us to be more peaceful and friendly to our neighbors than we otherwise might be. They can also exemplify the power of the human will and inspire us to face the adversity of our own lives head on, without illusion or intimidation.

by HaroldRamis on Dec 21, 2011 12:31 PM PST reply actions

points and goals serve as substitutes for the rape and pillage

I don’t think Nashville or St. Louis know what substitute means…

http://5minutesformurder.blogspot.com

by 4Kills5 on Dec 21, 2011 12:36 PM PST up reply actions

I think I could take the Dalai Lama.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Dec 21, 2011 12:34 PM PST reply actions 3 recs

he just became an honorary professor of the Tuvan State University!

Мы в любовь играли,
И как кровь из вены капает слеза.

by sleza on Dec 21, 2011 12:37 PM PST up reply actions

EMPIRE RULES!!!

That is in my top 5 movies of all time and hands down the best Star Wars movie ever made. Its even better than the Christmas Special…

Also, GO SHARKS!

Keep it real... Keep it fresh... Keep it real fresh ~SLNC
Picklesnake 2011-2012

by wtfbro? on Dec 21, 2011 12:45 PM PST reply actions

but not better than their muppet show appearance, right?

by meetyourmako on Dec 21, 2011 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

I hope Chris Pronger’s brain doesn’t liquify and ooze out of his ears.

Take it back! Take it BACK!

by meetyourmako on Dec 21, 2011 1:34 PM PST reply actions

I am now 1/5 through the video.

by Diamondback15 on Dec 21, 2011 3:00 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Havlat out 6-8 weeks

:: sigh ::

One more thing Boston is a racist town? YOU DONT SAY?!?!?!?!?
by SoxAcumen on Aug 27, 2011 11:56 AM PDT

by Briceratops on Dec 21, 2011 6:42 PM PST reply actions

May you be Happy...

The Buddha teaches us to refrain from killing, apparently even killing penalties !

by James Scibetta on Dec 21, 2011 7:09 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Nice.

President of the Brent Burns Robotic Sex-Pants Fan Club.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Dec 21, 2011 7:56 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

GO SHARKS!

Been a horrible day – please win!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 7:41 PM PST reply actions

GOAL!!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 7:44 PM PST reply actions

GOAL!

x2!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 7:48 PM PST reply actions

GOAL!!!

forget bout my stress … I"m feeling better!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 7:50 PM PST reply actions

Wow Buddhism fucking rocks.

President of the Brent Burns Robotic Sex-Pants Fan Club.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Dec 21, 2011 7:56 PM PST via mobile reply actions 2 recs

Wow ~~Buddhism~~ Poseidon fucking rocks.

fixed. We haven’t lost since the appeal to Poseidon. I’m giving him credit.

Hail Poseidon!
http://5minutesformurder.blogspot.com

by 4Kills5 on Dec 22, 2011 6:43 AM PST up reply actions

Todd looks SICK! Hope he doesn’t get our boys ill.

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 8:02 PM PST reply actions

GOAL!!

x4 … oh happy day!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 8:04 PM PST reply actions

GOAL!!

x5 … let’s make it 6!!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 8:09 PM PST reply actions

would it be greedy to say BOOOOO to their goal?

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 8:12 PM PST reply actions

Second period=zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

One more thing Boston is a racist town? YOU DONT SAY?!?!?!?!?
by SoxAcumen on Aug 27, 2011 11:56 AM PDT

by Briceratops on Dec 21, 2011 9:14 PM PST reply actions

Seriously … I was expecting 6 goals. :)

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 9:26 PM PST up reply actions

GOAL!!

6 is such a lovely number!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 9:29 PM PST reply actions

BOOOOOO !! x2

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 9:41 PM PST reply actions

GOAL!

I feel like a broken record here!

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 9:52 PM PST reply actions

WIN!!

just … wow.

by Angy on Dec 21, 2011 10:05 PM PST reply actions

Good Karma

by James Scibetta on Dec 21, 2011 10:05 PM PST reply actions

They didn’t want it more than the Lightning, clearly.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Dec 21, 2011 10:08 PM PST up reply actions

Good.

Dwayne Rolosson can suck it.

by Briceratops on Dec 21, 2011 10:17 PM PST reply actions

You all know why they won big, right? It was because I went to my first game of the year. Sat next to a hockey bunny and a big rotund guy who kept calling the ushers to point people leaning in their seats. Twas a fun night.

** Rule of Tree ** Pounding the Rock ** Battle of Cali ** Fear the Fin ** Athletics Nation ** Niners Nation **

by RedOscar on Dec 22, 2011 12:35 AM PST reply actions