Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Harming Living Beings 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. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may harm living beings, but I will abstain from the harming of living beings.” (MN 8)

Reflection One of the key characteristics of Buddhism and other Indian traditions is a fundamental respect for life and a commitment to an attitude of non-harming. One form this can take is giving the gift of harmlessness to all beings through ethical behavior: not killing, not lying, not stealing, not misbehaving sexually, and not becoming intoxicated in various ways. Beyond these restraints, you can also actively practice kindness and compassion. Daily Practice Bring a benevolent attitude of harmlessness to the forefront of your mind whenever you remember to do so. When looking at or thinking about a living being, allow the natural emotion of caring to arise and sustain it by actively reinforcing it with the thought “May you be healthy; may you be well; may you feel safe and free from harm.” Undertake a commitment to abide with compassion for all living beings whenever you can. Tomorrow: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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