Your web-browser is very outdated, and as such, this website may not display properly. Please consider upgrading to a modern, faster and more secure browser. Click here to do so.

Be Sati

Mindful living in a modern world.
More: www.be-sati.com

Posts tagged Engaged buddhism

Oct 19 '12
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. ~~ 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.

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.

~~

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.

5 notes View comments (via curiosity-blooms)Tags: Engaged Buddhism Buddhism election ethics

Jun 18 '12

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.

~~

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.  

2 notes View comments Tags: Engaged Buddhism buddhism thich nhat hanh

Jun 10 '12

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.

~~

What I find intriguing about this precept is that it seems to be encouraging us to dabble across faiths and philosophies. 

4 notes View comments Tags: Engaged buddhism buddhism thich nhat Hanh