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.
RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Intoxication
Intoxication is unhealthy.
Refraining from intoxication is healthy. (MN 9) What are the
imperfections that defile the mind? Negligence is an imperfection that
defiles the mind. Knowing that negligence is an imperfection that
defiles the mind, a person abandons it. (MN 7) One practices thus:
"Others may become negligent by intoxication, but I will abstain from
the negligence of intoxication." (MN 8)
One of the dangers attached to addiction to intoxicants is loss of good name. (DN 31)
Reflection
Negligence can
seem harmless enough in some minor cases, but often it has serious
consequences. When we are not paying adequate attention, people can get
hurt. The opposite of negligence—diligence or attentiveness—is a
cardinal Buddhist virtue. This is partly because of the care for life
that we have seen expressed in many places. Committing to abstain from
intoxication is a gift of harmlessness we give to others.
Daily Practice
On the
practical side, this text is pointing out the loss of reputation that so
often accompanies any kind of addiction or habitual intoxication. A
person who has a compulsive habit simply cannot be trusted and will
usually demonstrate this in potentially harmful ways. If you are
generally attentive, acknowledge that your friends and family trust you,
and take pride in your good reputation. It’s okay to do so.
Tomorrow: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel
The
sangha is the treasure of our greatest yearning, for it provides all of
us with a sense of belonging as well as a safe haven; a foundation from
which to grow and develop; a way to commit to excellence in practice;
and above all, a connection to the heart of compassion.
Ahead of the film’s screening at our upcoming 10-Day Buddhist Film Festival, Tricycle
spoke with director Donagh Coleman about the movie’s inception, the
valleys between Tibetan Buddhist belief and Western medicine, and the
possibility of a sequel.
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 act in unhealthy ways; I shall refrain from acting 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 bodily acts of lovingkindness toward my companions both openly and privately." (MN 31)
Reflection
So much of what we think, say, and do affects the people around us. It is important to bring awareness and care to our social interactions. When we “view each other with kindly eyes,” it is natural and easy to be thoughtful. It is often the little things we do that have a big effect on maintaining harmony among friends, family, and co-workers.
Daily Practice
One simple way to practice living with others in harmony is to do kindly acts for them from time to time. Today, actively look for ways to do little things with the intention of pleasing someone. And don’t necessarily feel the need for such deeds to be acknowledged. Much value comes from performing acts of kindness in private. Take it up as a challenge—finding creative ways to do something nice for someone, even in secret.
Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel
Actions conditioned by greed, hatred, and delusion bring a heavy burden of suffering. On the other hand, actions conditioned by generosity, lovingkindness, and wisdom lead to a light and happy sense of well-being. Simple as that.
Buddhist Film Festival Presented by Tricycle March 15-24, 2024
We invite you to join us for our first-ever Buddhist Film Festival from March 15-24, offering five feature-length films, five short films, and a live screening and Q&A with filmmaker Lana Wilson!