Revoked: Dec 9, 2022

Friday, December 9, 2022

Via Daily Dharma: Wishing All Beings Well

Our ability to wish well impartially is connected to our ability to let go of the fixed views that cause distress to arise in the mind.

Sylvia Boorstein, “The Whole of the Path”

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given

RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Taking What is Not Given

Taking what is not given is unhealthy. Refraining from taking what is not given is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the taking of what is not given, one abstains from taking what is not given; one does not take by way of theft the wealth and property of others. (MN 41) One practices thus: "Others may take what is not given, but I will abstain from taking what is not given." (MN 8)

There is a gift, which is a great gift—pristine, of long standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated—that will never be suspect. Here a noble person gives up taking what is not given and refrains from it. In doing so, one gives freedom from fear, hostility, and oppression to an immeasurable number of beings. (AN 8.39)

Reflection

This is the precept against theft, which you will notice is broadly stated to include a wide range of behaviors we might not consider stealing. There are many subtle ways we might take what is not freely offered, including exploiting the labor of others who may be unfairly remunerated. We might also take from others non-material things, such as time, ideas, credit, power, and freedom. Be careful not to do this.

Daily Practice

Making a commitment to act with integrity regarding the property of others is another way of giving the gift of harmlessness to all beings. Practice being more attentive to when something is freely offered and when it is not. "Finders keepers" does not apply to Buddhist ethics. Think how grateful you are when someone returns something you left behind. Take up the habit of paying it forward, preferring to give rather than take.

Tomorrow: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures

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