Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Social Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Social Action However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered. Good things come from doing good deeds, bad things come from doing bad deeds. (SN 11.10) What is the purpose of a mirror? For the purpose of reflection. So too social action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) One reflects thus: “I shall initiate and sustain bodily acts of kindness towards my companions, both publicly and privately.” One lives with companions in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes. One practices thus: “I set aside what I wish to do and do what my companions wish to do.” (MN 31)

Reflection In classical Buddhist tradition there are three kinds of action—bodily, verbal, and mental—but we are adding a fourth one here, social action. This is to acknowledge that a big part of how we act in the world has to do with our role in larger social and cultural systems. Our society is made up of individuals, and ultimately the quality of the whole group is going to be shaped at the individual level. Acting with conscious awareness is healthy. Daily Practice Cultivate the practice of being demonstrably kind to people as carefully as you would practice meditation. Kindness is a practice in itself, and just as with the breath, when your awareness wanders off the focus point of being kind, remind yourself to gently bring it back to the practice. Let’s practice “blending like milk and water” and “viewing each other with kindly eyes” over and over until we are really good at it. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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