Revoked

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Social Action

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: “Others may think in unhealthy ways; I shall refrain from thinking in unhealthy ways.” (MN 8) 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 maintain mental acts of lovingkindness toward my companions both openly and privately.” (MN 31)

Reflection

The mental state of actively caring about someone and wishing them well is not to be taken for granted but is something to remind yourself of and practice doing often. The more seeds of kindness you plant, even with your thoughts alone, the more healthy fruit of goodwill and love you will reap. When these thoughts spill over into words and deeds expressing lovingkindness, all the better.

Daily Practice

Take on the task of consciously forming thoughts of lovingkindness toward your friends, family, and associates. Don’t just assume, “Of course I care for them,” but form an intention of goodwill toward them regularly and deliberately. This is the difference between your lovingkindness being just an idea and being an emotion that actively expresses itself in your heart on a consistent basis.

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication
One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

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May 8, 2025

How Should Buddhism Inform Action?

In this politically turbulent time that to many seems unprecedented, equanimity feels like a challenge—but one Buddhist wisdom implores us to cultivate. Instead of obsessing over the news or turning away and shutting down, we can endeavor to face the facts without letting them consume us. Perspective is helpful. Drawing lessons from the past and recognizing similarities between historical moments and this one may mollify hysteria and help us find a wiser response—one where we can thoughtfully consider how Buddhist practice and principles might inform action, and what that action might look like: outward-facing, inward-facing, quiet, or loud.

Looking back at a special section on politics and right action in a Tricycle issue from 2004, some of the articles sound like they could have been written today.

This week’s Three Teachings features three articles from that special section, “Politics: The Practice of Citizenship,” that are as timely today as they were then.

(For more on the question of grappling with a wise response to the political climate, listen to a recent podcast with meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg; Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, James Shaheen; and writer Daisy Hernández: How to Stay Engaged Without Burning Out.)

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Present Moment, Urgent Moment
By Donald Rothberg

Meditation teacher, writer, and socially engaged Buddhist Donald Rothberg considers what, if anything, Buddhists should do to make a difference, and offers five basic guidelines for Buddhist social and political action that can orient our approaches to these questions.

Seven Reasons Why It’s Better Not to Hate Them
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Mindfulness teacher, author, and speaker Diana Winston cites her Buddhist values in an effort to stay open and resist bitterness in order to respond to injustice from a healthier place.

Ten Practices to Change the World
By Susan Moon

Writer and lay teacher in the Soto Zen tradition Susan Moon offers a list of ways to get off the cushion and get involved.