RIGHT VIEW
Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering
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And what is the way leading
to the cessation of suffering? It is just this noble eightfold path:
that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right
living, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. (MN 9)
One perfects their ethical behavior by abandoning the taking of what is not given … (DN 2)
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A lot of human
activity revolves around giving and taking, and the early Buddhist
teachings are very sensitive to both. We are encouraged to give as
generously as possible, as this loosens attachments and cultivates
goodwill toward others. Great care is called for around the matter of
taking, and the precept about taking what is not given is far stricter
than a simple injunction against stealing.
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Being very
scrupulous about things that do not belong to us is a practice in
itself. It requires us to be more aware of our relationship to things
and more attentive to the social cues given by others. Notice how it
feels when somebody touches something you regard as not belonging to you
(say a stick on the ground) and when they touch something you cherish
(such as your phone). See how ownership triggers suffering?
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Tomorrow: Cultivating Equanimity
One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering
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