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

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

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. (M 41) One practices thus: “Others may harm living beings, but I will abstain from the harming of living beings.” (MN 8) What is wrong livelihood? Scheming, cajoling, hinting, belittling, pursuing gain with gain. (MN 117)

Reflection The Buddhist emphasis on non-harming goes beyond killing and encompasses all forms of “raising the rod to strike against” a living being. Beyond physical assault, this can also include various kinds of psychological or emotional abuse, as mentioned in this passage. When you hurt others in some way, you also damage your own heart and mind. Like thrusting a flaming torch into the wind, you hurt yourself more than the other. Daily Practice It is not healthy to engage in dishonest or manipulative behavior, and if you need to do this as part of your job, you should think about changing professions. This is not to make a moral judgment but rather to point out a simple fact: harsh and harmful states of mind damage not only others but also the person initiating them. Take an honest look at how you behave as part of your livelihood and make changes if appropriate. 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.

Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning. Donate »

© 2024 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Daily Dharma: Transforming Our Relationships

 Please join!

The Daily Dharma gives me the opportunity to connect to the Dharma and provides me with wisdom each morning. I find the daily teachings both inspiring and comforting and helps me go on from day to day. —Daily Dharma reader Dear DANIEL,  You begin your day with Buddhist teachings from our Daily Dharma newsletters. These pearls of wisdom, carefully chosen for our growing community, provide guidance and inspiration that can linger throughout your day. But to keep this invaluable resource flourishing and available to everyone, we need your help. As a nonprofit organization, we can only continue offering Daily Dharma and our many other free content initiatives through the generosity of readers like you. If you've already donated, thank you for your support! If you haven't yet, please consider making a donation today and help us continue to offer life-guiding teachings free to all. Thank you for being an integral part of the Tricycle community. With deepest gratitude, The Tricycle Team Support Daily Dharma »

Transforming Our Relationships As we transform our own experience and relationship to our realities, we cannot help but affect those around us in radiating circles into the larger culture. These moments of freedom and transformation begin to change and elevate the consciousness and awareness of the world. Larry Yang, “Meditation Teacher Larry Yang Named Grand Marshal in S.F. Pride” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE Forward today's wisdom to a friend »

As a nonprofit organization, Tricycle depends on the generosity of individuals like you. Please make a tax-deductible gift here » Mixing Your Mind with Space Andrew Holecek in conversation with James Shaheen The power of dropping into open awareness and waking down into the wisdom of the body. Read more » The Rise and Fall of the Tibetan Empire: The Animated History of Tibet Directed by Dr. Alexander K. Smith October’s film is available now! The Rise and Fall of the Tibetan Empire: The Animated History of Tibet directed by Dr. Alexander K. Smith is an animated documentary highlighting the rise and fall of the Tibetan Empire and the first spread of Buddhism to Tibet in the 7th century CE. Watch now »