RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Harming Living Beings
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Harming living beings is
unhealthy. Refraining from harming living beings is healthy. (MN 9)
Abandoning the harming of living beings, one abstains from harming
living beings; with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle and kindly, one
abides compassionate to all living beings. (M 41) One practices thus:
“Others may harm living beings, but I will abstain from the harming of
living beings.” (MN 8)
This is something that leads to the welfare and happiness of a person in
this present life: accomplishment in protection. Here a person sets up
protection and guards over the resources one has acquired . . .
[thinking], “How can I prevent thieves from carrying it off, fire from
burning it, floods from sweeping it away, and dishonest people from
taking it?” (AN 8.54)
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There is a
practical side to the teachings of the historical Buddha that can be
easy to overlook. He didn't just guide monks and nuns toward awakening;
he also advised laypeople on how to live wisely. Here the emphasis is on
the value of guarding the things you own and the beings under your
protection. Life is precious, and the duty of a householder to protect
their family, animals, and possessions was taken quite seriously.
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It is easy to
cause harm to living beings by neglecting to be careful in all you do.
Now more than ever a commitment to non-harming means developing ways not
only to avoid hurting living beings but also to nurture and protect
them. Look at yourself and your life through the eyes of another: a pet,
a wild animal, an ocean, an eco-system. And ask yourself, What more can I do to ensure their safety and well-being?
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Tomorrow: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given
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