Be Sati
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Posts tagged Buddhism
Engaged Buddhism: Precept 3
Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrow-mindedness.
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Because the elections are just around the corner in the US, I thought it might be time to revisit the Engaged Buddhism precepts. This one seems especially relevant given how hard everyone is working to change each other’s mind.
It’s tempting to think we should get to skip this precept right now. This election feels particularly important. But poll after poll shows that people are fed up with the increasing nastiness of our elections. Instead of giving ourselves a pass, perhaps we should dwell here a bit longer.
Is it too late to shift the discourse? To accept that we don’t all agree, and that we shouldn’t try to force our views or agenda? Can we do more than just co-exist? Can we thrive together?
We are pushing each other away when we should be pulling together. If we’re preoccupied with changing minds, then we are not listening. Listening is necessary for understanding. Understanding is necessary for compassion. Compassion is what brings people together.
Gandhi famously reminded us “to be the change” because change starts with one’s own heart and attitude. That is why these precepts are personal. We could cover a lot of ground starting right here with precept 3.
Engaged Buddhism is a way of applying the insights of meditation and Buddhist teachings to social action. The term was coined and then elaborated on by one of my most beloved Buddhism teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh.
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In light of the discussion of women in American society, I appreciate that Mr. Kornfield has opened the door to discussion about women in Buddhism. Frankly, I believe the most inspiring and uplifting Buddhist teachers in America ARE women. I don’t think I feel connected to them because they are women, but rather I think their feminine insight gives them a sincerity and openness that comes across in their commentary. This is a potent and very welcoming point of view that I believe can only bring the Dharma to more people.
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“One who recites but few teachings
Yet lives according to the Dharma,
Abandoning passion, ill will, and delusion,
Aware and with mind well freed,
Not clinging to this life or the next,
Attains the benefits of the contemplative life.”
~ The Buddha, from the Dhammapada (19-20)
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Engaged Buddhism: Precept 2
Engaged Buddhism is a way of applying the insights of meditation and Buddhist teachings to social action. The term was coined and then elaborated on by one of my most beloved Buddhism teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh.
Precept 2
Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others’ viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
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Entrenching ourselves in our personal worldview starts early. I’m amazed at how resolute even my 3 year old daughter is in her thinking about things. In spite of her stubbornness, she is still very open and receptive. We can learn a lot from children.
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Engaged Buddhism: Precept 1
Engaged Buddhism is a way of applying the insights of meditation and Buddhist teachings to social action. The term was coined and then elaborated on by one of my most beloved Buddhism teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh.
Precept 1:
Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
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What I find intriguing about this precept is that it seems to be encouraging us to dabble across faiths and philosophies.
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“Those who know the essential to be essential
And the inessential as inessential
Reach the essential,
Living in the field of right intention.”
~ The Buddha, from the Dhammapada
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Why Meditate?
“Why? Simple. Because you are human. Just because of the simple fact that you are human, you find yourself heir to an inherent unsatisfactoriness in life that simply will not go away.”
~ Bhante Gunaratana, from “Mindfulness in Plain English.”
In the same way that yoga asanas tone and purify the body, meditation cleanses the mind. Meditation helps us to penetrate our habits of grasping, rejecting and ignoring, in order to reveal a completely different way of regarding and responding to the world around us. Meditation helps free us from continually chasing after fleeting pleasures or running away from hardship. We train ourselves to be steadfast and calm, to ride the waves as they come.
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“All experience is preceded by mind,
Led by mind,
Made by mind.
Speak or act with a peaceful mind,
And happiness follows
Like a never-departing shadow.”
~ The Buddha, from the Dhammapada
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Today I am fortunate to have woken up.
I am alive, I have a precious human life.
I am not going to waste it.
I am going to use
all my energies to develop myself,
to expand my heart out to others,
to achieve enlightenment for
the benefit of all beings.
I am going to have
kind thoughts towards others.
I am not going to get angry,
or think badly about others.
I am going to benefit others
as much as I can.
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