A personal blog by a graying (mostly Anglo with light African-American roots) gay left leaning liberal progressive married college-educated Buddhist Baha'i BBC/NPR-listening Professor Emeritus now following the Dharma in Minas Gerais, Brasil.
If we seek security, we are sure to end up in frustration; if we fail to appreciate our present opportunities, each chance for realization will slip through our fingers.
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)
Reflection
The historical
Buddha did not talk much about social action, and the field of social
action is being artificially added here to the traditional list of the
three kinds of action: bodily, verbal, and mental. Social action is an
important concern in the modern world, and for decades engaged Buddhists
have been addressing issues of how the traditional teachings can inform
contemporary concerns for promoting greater social harmony.
Daily Practice
The quality of
intention you put into social action is going to have an effect on the
results, much like the planting of seeds affects the harvesting of
fruit. It is important to change the inequities and injustices that
abound in society but equally important to do so motivated by
generosity, kindness, and wisdom rather than by greed, hatred, and
delusion. Practice manifesting positive qualities in all the work you do
toward social change.
Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel
Our
suffering is not mysterious and inexplicable; it is grounded in the
bare facts of human existence. To understand it, we must unflinchingly
accept the nature of the human condition, its finiteness, limitation,
and circumscription by the metaphysical particulars of the world.
Why Change Shouldn’t Surprise Us Ann Tashi Slater in conversation with Malcolm Gladwell
FREE
Ann
Tashi Slater speaks with best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell about the
possibility for dramatic reversals, how to deal with uncertainty, and
what it means to belong to a community.
Frivolous speech is
unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9)
Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One
speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about
what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that
are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus:
“Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous
speech.” (MN 8)
Reflection
This guideline
for speech can sound more oppressive than it is. We are not all teaching
Buddhas, and much of what we say may not be directly contributing to
the edification of the world. The call is for us to use speech that is
"reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. " This is practical advice to
laypeople who will naturally speak of daily affairs but are encouraged
to do so in a way that is healthy.
Daily Practice
When you speak,
see that your words are weighty and worthwhile. Speak up when people
are listening, and refrain from interrupting others. Always speak the
truth, and try your best to emphasize what is positive and helpful
rather than being overly critical and saying things that would hurt
people. You have to be mindful to speak carefully. The practice of
mindful speech is worthwhile in its own right and conducive to
well-being.
Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action One week from today: Refraining from False Speech
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel
The
sun does not need to ‘try’ to shine; it simply radiates light by its
very nature. In the same way, our true nature is already luminous and
clear, spontaneously present at all times.
"Your anger and your inspiration are all inside you. They are just being
who they are. Your reaction is your reaction. It is showing you your
attachments and aversions."
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