Greetings,
This is a topic dedicated to those who do or strive to feel compassion, lovingkindness, sympathetic joy and equanimity towards all myriad forms of suffering in the world. Suffering is omnipresent in the world, and unless you are an arahant or a Buddha, you are subject to suffering. There is so much suffering in the world, caused by aversion, greed and delusion. Without these things there would not be suffering. Whether we are Mahayana Buddhists or Theravada Buddhists, we should be chiefly concerned with the alleviation of suffering, via whatever methods are used in our respective traditions.
To you, I respect and appreciate your efforts to realise there is suffering in the world - the nature of it, its arising and its cessation, and to follow the Buddha's advice to not suffer because of it. I respect your determination to not wallow in samsara and be ignorantly blown around by grief and lamentation at the enormity of this suffering as such a response merely multiplies the problem.
Let us strive to cultivate these qualities towards all beings all the time. Let us not be selective in our objects of compassion, lovingkindness, sympathetic joy and equanimity. Let us develop the strength and understanding not to need external events, commemorative days, knowledge that someone is ill, lunar phases, watching the news, births, anniversaries and deaths of those famous or unknown, in order to prompt or trigger an appropriate positive mental response in accord with our master's teachings. Why should such things be required when the mind is the forerunner of all mental states? If you're relying on these things at present, then endeavour to build a solid refuge within based on the Dhamma... a refuge not subject to inputs from the various sense bases.
Metta,
Retro.
Respect to those who use the Dharma to cure suffering
- retrofuturist
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Respect to those who use the Dharma to cure suffering
Live in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.
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Re: Respect to those who use the Dharma to cure suffering
Hi Retro,
This is lovely and inspiring. I agree that it is ideal to find bodhicitta within ourselves in order to motivate and move forward. I respect your path too, and am glad for your efforts. I think exterior events can be a reminder, but as you say: "If you're relying on these things at present, then endeavour to build a solid refuge within based on the Dhamma... a refuge not subject to inputs from the various sense bases."
Sadhu!
This is lovely and inspiring. I agree that it is ideal to find bodhicitta within ourselves in order to motivate and move forward. I respect your path too, and am glad for your efforts. I think exterior events can be a reminder, but as you say: "If you're relying on these things at present, then endeavour to build a solid refuge within based on the Dhamma... a refuge not subject to inputs from the various sense bases."
Sadhu!
Re: Respect to those who use the Dharma to cure suffering
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
Definately, add respect for all those who translate the texts, such as the Dhammapada, the entire Tipitaka and Sutras for all to read and understand. These texts helps so many in more ways than we know. May these texts be translated into all major languages and be made available everywhere!
Definately, add respect for all those who translate the texts, such as the Dhammapada, the entire Tipitaka and Sutras for all to read and understand. These texts helps so many in more ways than we know. May these texts be translated into all major languages and be made available everywhere!