The Dudeism Canon?

[DirtDude]

I am writing a paper about Dudeism for a Religious Studies class, and I would like to include something about any scripture, or canonized (or what-have-you) texts of the Church of the Latter Day Dude.

Because my paper focuses on the Daoist roots of Dudeism, I think it is safe to say that the major Daoist texts are inherited--such as the Tao te Ching,  the Zhuangzi, and the Daozang.

The Big Lebowski is of course the Holy Film and "I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski" is basically the Dudeist bible, but what about the Lebowski Fests? Are they the Holy Festivals, the Dude Gatherings, or just Dude Conferences?

I'm just trying figure out some of the Dude League Bylaws so I can have more information to include in my paper.

-The Dude Abides 

[digbys kid]

You would have to include Creedence as body of hymns, and the recipe for a White Russian as a ceremonial, perhaps sacrificial, beverage.

[forumdude]

Texts:

1) The Big Lebowski

2) The Tao Te Ching - especially the new translation ("Dao De Jing" by Ames)

3) Various additional Taoist articles (the early, uncompromised ones - later Taoism departed from the "way" and got very superstitious. Chuang Tzu's texts are excellent examples of early Taoism).

4) The Tao of the Dude by Oliver Benjamin (sorry, not yet published)

5) The Abide Guide by Dwayne Eutsey (sorry, not yet published)

6) Several entries at The Dudespaper will probably qualify as canonical at some point.

7) The Tao of Lebowski (the Dudeist translation you yourself are working on (Dirt Dude, Digby's Kid, et. al.) - which is awesome, by the way.

Rituals:

1) Lebowskifests (although these can be thought of as secular Dudeist holidays, in the same way that Christmas is now a secular holiday).

2) The Day of the Dude (annual holiday marking the release of the film, festivities not yet totally figured out yet)

3) Watching the film with friends

The religion itself is in its early stages, and is still working out its kinks. Maybe you could compare it with early Christianity or early Buddhism, before they got officially codified by their respective ecclesiastical summits (for Christianity it was at the Council of Nicea in the 4th century).

You'll probably have the best success if you compare it with early Taoism and also with Zen Buddhism. Both were mystical traditions that avoided strict doctrine and looked more toward philosophical inquiry and qualities of ones mental state to guide one towards religious experience and insight. They used poetry, allegory and even humor as vehicles to do so.

[j.chen0918]

The no.6 from the texts was inherent because of the  several entries that qualify as canonical at some point.


_________________
film

[spytfyre]

I think the Lebowskifests should be referred to as a Synod. It's a good word and sounds very religiony
I don't think we should compare to other things like "Christ-mas" or such as that's just too much focus man. Keep it loose an more in the spirit of takin it easy

[greatspiritmonk]

To have a Dudeist Christmas next year I'm going to prepare a lot of the sacred beverage (white russian) for my family. I guess that Jesus, one of the ancient Dudeist, would have liked it as well. If not I'll have ready some litres of oat sodas. 

[greatspiritmonk]

To have a Dudeist Christmas next year I'm going to prepare a lot of the sacred beverage (white russian) for my family. I guess that Jesus, one of the ancient Dudeist, would have liked it as well. If not I'll have ready some litres of oat sodas. 

[greatspiritmonk]

ooops I,ve made a little mess. Sorry.

[sufidude]

ooops I,ve made a little mess. Sorry.

Not on the rug, man!

[greatspiritmonk]

Don't worry, I've missed it. 

[TravisE]

Rituals:

1) Lebowskifests (although these can be thought of as secular Dudeist holidays, in the same way that Christmas is now a secular holiday).

2) The Day of the Dude (annual holiday marking the release of the film, festivities not yet totally figured out yet)

3) Watching the film with friends

4) Mixing of the sacred beverage

Personally I also think of T'ai Chi as being very dude.  One - it's Taoist.  Two - That funny dakhini dance the Dude does on his newly acquired rug.  Three - I've been doing it for 19 years and teaching for 10.  (I never said that I was not governed at least in part by self-interest.)   

[digbys kid]

Rituals:

1) Lebowskifests (although these can be thought of as secular Dudeist holidays, in the same way that Christmas is now a secular holiday).

2) The Day of the Dude (annual holiday marking the release of the film, festivities not yet totally figured out yet)

3) Watching the film with friends

4) Mixing of the sacred beverage

5) Goin' Bowlin'...especially when there are other, more important things to do (like work)...but not on Saturday (they'll have to reschedule)

[Irish Monk]

I agree with spytfyre that "Synod" would be a proper nomenclature for Lebowskifests, but I prefer to refer to them as "pilgrimages" since less ecclesiastically-minded folk will understand that

[greatspiritmonk]

Rituals:

1) Lebowskifests (although these can be thought of as secular Dudeist holidays, in the same way that Christmas is now a secular holiday).

2) The Day of the Dude (annual holiday marking the release of the film, festivities not yet totally figured out yet)

3) Watching the film with friends

4) Mixing of the sacred beverage

5) Goin' Bowlin'...especially when there are other, more important things to do (like work)...but not on Saturday (they'll have to reschedule)

6) having great fun with lady friends

[sufidude]

Personally I also think of T'ai Chi as being very dude.  One - it's Taoist.  Two - That funny dakhini dance the Dude does on his newly acquired rug.  Three - I've been doing it for 19 years and teaching for 10.  (I never said that I was not governed at least in part by self-interest.)   

I think you're on to something talking about the physical aspects of dudeism. I think its been overlooked in favor of more literary approaches, but, what is the Tao without Tai Chi, or Hinduism without Yoga? What is Buddhism without meditation or Shinto without the Tea ceremony?