Awakening the Buddha Within _ Eight Steps to Enlightenment - Lama Surya Das [93]
If we manage gracefully to pass through life without killing even a single ant, spider, or slug, obviously we will avoid some of the negative consequences of bad karma. But is it enough only to be careful that none of our footsteps harm a single being, or do we also need to direct our energy and actions towards goodness and helping others? As we try to better access our own pure Buddha-nature, let’s think about accumulating positive karma by cherishing life, respecting life, and saving life.
The Dalai Lama often reminds us that bodhicitta, the compassion and love which is the heart of enlightenment, is cultivated by considering not just our own welfare, but the welfare of all sentient beings. To do this requires a deep understanding of our connectedness with others and of what it means to cherish all life. This often means developing a different point of view about even the smallest details of living. Is it really necessary on summer evenings, for example, to get out the electrified bug zapper and even almost enjoy the sound of sizzling insects when you can just as easily use a less lethal natural repellent which might protect both you and the bugs? Mosquitos too, like ourselves, have parents and offspring, homes and lives. Issa, the haiku poet, wrote: “Look at the tiny gnat. See him wringing his hands, wringing his feet.”
It is challenging to alter your perspective on the world to such a degree that you recognize all beings as having needs equal to your own. It becomes even more daunting when we try to put that belief into action by being consistently, impartially less selfish. We can learn to cherish and venerate each individual life and life-form by reflecting on how we are all equal, all like God’s children—children of truth. All beings—insects and snakes, fish and fowl, as well as humans—have the right to live and pursue happiness; none of us is the rightful arbiter of another’s fate. Life is a gift.
Vowing to Gentle Our Spirit
We develop an attitude of cherishing life when we learn to yield, to give in, to let go and soften our hearts and souls. Yet statistics and newspaper headlines remind us that we live in a violent society. Emergency wards are filled with men, women, and children who have been the victims of violence—domestic as well as random. Some of us may have been very fortunate—our lives have not been directly touched by violence, but men and women sometimes attack loved ones, strangers, and ultimately even themselves. As far-fetched as it may seem to some, I feel that we all need to be on the lookout for any of these tendencies within our own psyches. We help keep our lives balanced and sane by being aware of the darkness within us as well as the light so that we are never taken unaware by unconscious negative impulses. We make a vow not to kill or harm so that we never forget to be gentle, caring, and kind, cherishing all forms of life on our fragile planet.
There is absolutely nothing in the gentle spiritual teachings of the Buddha that advocates or condones violence. It seems to me almost ludicrous that any spiritual seeker would need to be exhorted not to harm others, but not all people who “claim” to be on the spiritual path abhor and avoid violence. In 1995, the Japanese cult leader, Shoko Asahara, grossly distorted ancient spiritual teachings he learned in India; and by using classic mind control techniques such as fasting, drugs, isolation, and intimidation, he convinced a large group of men and women to believe in his distorted dogma and follow his diabolical plan to launch deadly sarin nerve gas attacks throughout Japan.
Afterward, I happened to counsel some of the followers of