On this day, I wanted to reach out to all my friends and fellow wayfarers on this vast, strange internet thing, and let them know that I care about them, and I know so many other people do too.
For those who are trans, for the lesbians and gays, for the Muslims and the Jews, for those anywhere on the spectrum of humanity’s rainbow of color, for the old and for the young, for those healthy enough to do what they want and those who cannot, for the weird and the strange, for those with died hair or no hair at all, for those living on the land or in the concrete jungle, for those who are super-smart at Buddhism and those who know nothing at all, for the poor and for the rich, for the bitter and the lost and the confused: there is plenty of love for all of you!
Whatever happens tomorrow, today the air is clear and the water shines. Take a moment to step outside and breathe. Share a moment with your loved ones. Look at the people around you and don’t forget to love them. And to tell them.
Bhante you are such a point of reference and inspiration in that you don’t need to say a thing you can’t help it it’s in your whole self and way of being but it sticks out your Metta practice and way you are so inclusive and willing to find common ground and understanding g and that is what Metta is its a letting in of all experience with a friendshi. An eye to the truth of this. An emobidement and understanding “what is it like to be”. An eye on the dhamma.
So an eye on your sincerity and application to the dhamma always “sticks out” in ways you may not know or recognise I am so grateful(I
Am sure you are well trained in gratuitous praise and distinguishing it from sincerity too hehe exit: Bhante you know what ever is in my life that you need I can offer but such is Metta you might also not need and if absence benefits more than presence that is so . Dear dhamma comrade hehe thank you for every translation and such a well lived example. Edit 2: Metta is the way
Thanks, Bhante, from a fellow sentient being (very concerned American citizen-type). A lot of
already vulnerable people feeling even more vulnerable here today. I’ll do some Metta meditation today for us all, worldwide.
@Eharp I understand some of your disappointment . Dhamma friend, take heart, there were lots of positive trends in how people voted. There are checks and balances. Lots of things led us here; lots of things will help counter malevolent tendencies going forward. We all can have faith in our common capacity to move ahead. One day at a time, as they say
Whilst I am quite apolitical (and wrote some posts here in the past, somewhat similar in spirit to yours) I have now come to pivot my position, for example by empirically observing that during Trump’s tenure the world was at peace, whereas during the present administration several wars have erupted and many people genuinely fear the onset of world war 3.
Since buddhism is about experience and observation of facts as opposed to abstract ideas (like Schopen says, dont listen to what folks say, look at what they do), would not the empirical facts that I highlighted above mitigate somewhat your fears and blind rage?
I hope this helps
Through practice of ‘right thought’ (sammā saṅkappa; one stage of the eightfold path), one is able to find true ‘loving kindness’ in this world, a path to awakening:
Thought of detachment (nekkhamma saṅkappa), thought of non-malice (abyāpāda saṅkappa), and thought of non-harming (avihiṃsā saṅkappa).
If wanting to have a happy life, you never seek delight and desire (nandī-rāga) for someone, anyone to really love and understand you in the world. Nothing is belonging to your self (anatta). You just understandingly practise “right thought” based on “right view”. Life exists just this moment (sati).
Buddhism (particularly Samyukta/Samyutta Buddhism) is very fun. This is because it helps us how to have good relationship with “emptiness” in everyday life for happiness.
This is a lovely post. Just wanted to say thank you for your part in creating this page and for your contributions towards EBT studies and for the promotion of the Dhamma. Some of your work was a real eye opener for me. I’d also like to say that whilst some of our politics don’t align, we likely have more in common than not. This is probably true of most people, it’s just the differences are easier to see.
hehe exit: Bhante you know what ever is in my life that you need I can offer but such is Metta you might also not need and if absence benefits more than presence that is so . Dear dhamma comrade hehe thank you for every translation and such a well lived example. Edit 2: Metta is the way
. Dhamma friend, take heart, there were lots of positive trends in how people voted. There are checks and balances. Lots of things led us here; lots of things will help counter malevolent tendencies going forward. We all can have faith in our common capacity to move ahead. One day at a time, as they say 