So I’m putting together a zine (tiny booklet) to put on my free narcan table. I want it to be a little zine containing dhamma directed at a non-Buddhist audience. I’m not trying to inform them on the Buddhist tradition (in general or specific), but rather give a few short teachings or sayings that might be useful and memorable to the people I distribute supplies to.
Main goal is something someone can find useful, some teaching they can take with them or mull over. I mostly distribute harm reduction supplies in the rave scene where there’s a cultural idea of “PLUR”, peace, love, unity and respect. So teachings which emphasize or play off these ideas might work best.
I wanted to add some dhamma to my table but felt like a dry “what is Buddhism” pamphlet wouldn’t be as helpful as a little booklet with a few choice words.
So what’re your favorite teachings, quotes and sayings that you think non Buddhists can find something useful in? Something that helps people suffer less and be more kind.
Many years ago I was walking through the Arthur Sackler gallery in Washington D.C.. I read the placard on a Buddha statue that described The Four Noble Truths. I was struck by how down to Earth The Four Noble Truths sounded. I was also impressed that it had nothing to do with a deity or some mystical belief.
It got me interested enough to read a book on Buddhism and pursue it further.
There are many different ways to translate The Fourth Noble Truths. Many that give a down to Earth, non-religious vibe like that placard did and that would be perfect of a narcan table book.
Here’s something I like, especially when talking to people of other religions: “Those things about which there is no agreement, let us put aside. Those things about which there is agreement let the wise bring up, discuss and examine.”
– Digha Nikaya I:164
don’t go by oral transmission, don’t go by lineage, don’t go by testament, don’t go by canonical authority, don’t rely on logic, don’t rely on inference, don’t go by reasoned train of thought, don’t go by the acceptance of a view after deliberation, don’t go by the appearance of competence, and don’t think ‘The ascetic is our respected teacher.’ But when you know for yourselves: These things are unskillful, blameworthy, criticized by sensible people, and when you undertake them, they lead to harm and suffering’, then you should give them up.
But when you know for yourselves: ‘These things are skillful, blameless, praised by sensible people, and when you undertake them, they lead to welfare and happiness’, then you should acquire them and keep them.
Regarding non-Buddhist people, the best approach would be the first steps of the Gradual Teaching: generosity, virtue, non-attachment to material things, and, in some cases, how to make good kamma and engage in practices that lead to good rebirths.
When it comes to teachings on virtue, the precepts concerning sexual misconduct and the use of intoxicants may be off-putting to your intended audience. In this case, a harm-reduction approach may be more feasible.
I would use these criteria to select the short sayings.
