Saturday, March 16, 2024

Via [GBF] "Can Our Life Be Ethical AND Joyous?" with Steven Tierney

Steven Tierney shares that we begin to truly embody the Bodhisattva vow when our decisions are based on their impact on "we" rather than "I." We pause and consider others before we think or act. It doesn't mean we forget ourselves, but that others are considered in our actions. 

Taking this vow we commit to not being instigators of any further chaos or misery in the world. Just meditating quietly is a moral act because, during that time, we refrain from creating any conflict. 

He shares that ethical living (known as Śīla in Buddhist practice) goes beyond refraining from harm - we become liberators. The foundations of Śīla are three components of the Eightfold Path: 

  • Wise speech
  • Wise action
  • Wise livelihood

Pausing to consider these three can become our code of conduct that embraces self-restraint, primarily motivated by freedom from causing harm.
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Listen to the talk on your favorite podcast player or our website: 

https://gaybuddhist.org/podcast/can-our-life-be-ethical-and-joyous-steven-tierney/

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Enjoy 800+ free recorded dharma talks at www.gaybuddhist.org/podcast/

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