Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Taking What is Not Given Taking what is not given is unhealthy. Refraining from taking what is not given is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the taking of what is not given, one abstains from taking what is not given; one does not take by way of theft the wealth and property of others. (MN 41) One practices thus: "Others may take what is not given, but I will abstain from taking what is not given." (MN 8) There is a gift, which is a great gift—pristine, of long standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated—that will never be suspect. Here a noble person gives up taking what is not given and refrains from it. In doing so, one gives freedom from fear, hostility, and oppression to an immeasurable number of beings. (AN 8.39)

Reflection This is the precept against theft, which you will notice is broadly stated to include a wide range of behaviors we might not consider stealing. There are many subtle ways we might take what is not freely offered, including exploiting the labor of others who may be unfairly remunerated. We might also take from others non-material things, such as time, ideas, credit, power, and freedom. Be careful not to do this.  Daily Practice Making a commitment to act with integrity regarding the property of others is another way of giving the gift of harmlessness to all beings. Practice being more attentive to when something is freely offered and when it is not. "Finders keepers" does not apply to Buddhist ethics. Think how grateful you are when someone returns something you left behind. Take up the habit of paying it forward, preferring to give rather than take. Tomorrow: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation //

When you hear the statement, ‘You are my key to the place in myself where I am indeed love,’ you see that the spiritual practices of devotion are designed to move you from, ‘I love you,’ to, ‘We are in love together.' - Ram Dass - From Ram Dass – Here & Now – Ep. 178 – The Path of the Heart

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Verbal Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Verbal 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 verbal action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you wish to do an action with speech, reflect on that same verbal action thus: "Would this action I wish to do with speech lead to my own affliction?" If, on reflection, you know that it would, then do not do it. If you know that it would not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection Verbal action is as important a matter as bodily action, for much harm and much good can be done with words. Reflecting on verbal action involves being attentive to cause and effect, considering whether what you want to say may cause harm to you or to someone else. The truth of the phrase "Bad things come from uttering bad words" is plainly evident in the world around us. Let's not contribute to it.  Daily Practice This is a practice familiar to us as "Think before you speak." It is simply a matter of establishing and maintaining some space between what comes to mind and what goes out into the world as speech. This moment of reflection brings care to the process. Practice speaking slower and more thoughtfully. Practice also placing yourself in the position of the hearer and imagine how your words might be received by others. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental Action Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Tricycle //

 

Daisaku Ikeda, President of the Soka Gakkai International, Dies at 95 By Clark Strand

The Japanese Buddhist philosopher, author, and nuclear disarmament advocate died of natural causes on November 15.

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Via Daily Dharma: Sincerity Is the Key

 

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Sincerity Is the Key  The key remains the same for everyone—complete sincerity. You must give your all. Holding on to nothing, you must become your practice. Tangen Harada Roshi, “Break Through or Die Trying” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Malicious Speech

 

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Malicious Speech Malicious speech is unhealthy. Refraining from malicious speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning malicious speech, one refrains from malicious speech. One does not repeat there what one has heard here to the detriment of these, or repeat here what he has heard there to the detriment of those. One unites those who are divided, is a promoter of friendships, and speaks words that promote concord. (DN 1) One practices thus: "Others may speak maliciously, but I shall abstain from malicious speech." (MN 8)  When others address you, their speech may be timely or untimely. . . . One is to train thus: "My mind will be unaffected, and I shall utter no bad words. I shall abide with compassion for their welfare, with a mind of lovingkindness, without inner hate." (MN 21)

Reflection The second category of right speech is refraining from malicious speech, which has a lot to do with setting people against one another and causing divisions. Such speech involves harmful intentions and is therefore unhealthy. Notice the final phrase of the text, wherein one undertakes to personally refrain from such speech even though others may do it. The practice here is to change your own behavior, not that of others. Daily Practice Pay attention to the speech you hear around you and see if you can identify malicious speech when you hear it. Then listen for when you yourself engage in such speech, often inadvertently. Finally, undertake a commitment to refrain from malicious speech. This is particularly challenging when you are interrupted by untimely speech, but such episodes provide an opportunity to practice not being thrown off by the impropriety of others.  Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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a Daily Dharma: Continual Mindfulness

 

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Continual Mindfulness Staying awake means continually reevaluating the ground on which we walk. Stephen Schettini, “A Sense of Belonging” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Buddhist Geeks // Brodhisattva Training

 

Video Mahayana, Masculinity, & Maturity This teaching, from Vince Fakhoury Horn, discusses the focus of the Brodhisattvas training, and the overlapping terrain of Mahayana, masculinity, and maturity. Watch »

Via Buddhist Geeks

IMMERSIVE TRAININGS

The Evolving Practice of BuddhaDharma Open for Registration, Starting January 2024 What do the teachings of Buddhism have to offer our contemporary moment?  With so many connected challenges, spanning both our personal and collective lives, how can a thousands year old tradition be used, not just as a spiritual pacifier, but as a genuine source of personal & collective transformation? Learn more »