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. (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.

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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 »

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Bodily 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 bodily action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you have done an action with the body, reflect on that same bodily action thus: “Was this action I have done with the body an unhealthy bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, on reflection, you know that it was, then tell someone you trust about it and undertake a commitment not to do it again. If you know it was not, then be content and feel happy about it. (MN 61)

Reflection While Buddhist teachings encourage us to be in the present moment and not ruminate obsessively on the past, it can still be valuable to reflect on past behavior in order to learn from it. The point is not to relive your faults or retell the story to yourself, but to bring things into the light of day so they don’t get buried in the unconscious mind. Self-examination and self-honesty can be powerful tools for internal transformation. Daily Practice If you feel remorse about something you have done in the past because it has caused harm to you or someone else, it can be helpful to admit to the action, acknowledge the harm it caused, and undertake a commitment to refrain from such behavior in the future. You can do this internally, but it can be even more effective to reveal the action to a person you respect and trust. This really brings it into the open. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings One week from today: Reflecting upon Verbal Action Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Daily Dharma: Good Karma for Others

 

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Good Karma for Others What does it mean, in the light of karma, to wish for people to be happy? It means you wish that they would create good karma, that they would be skillful. Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Goodwill for the Real World” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE Forward today's wisdom to a friend »

The End of Times or the First Day By Mary Fuoco An engaged Zen practitioner wrestles with the idea of mappō, or the dying of the dharma. Read more »