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14 precepts: day 2 of probably 4
Mar. 28th, 2025 08:22 amContinuing with the 14 precepts, with another hard one:
Fourth precept: do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, by all means, including personal contact and visits, images, sound. By such means, awaken yourself, and others to the reality of suffering in the world.
I can see the purpose of this one. As he points out in the commentary, the Buddha’s first teachings were on suffering. And obviously running away from suffering is an escape strategy. On the other hand, sometimes I feel it’s totally necessary for my mental health. So this is another pretty hard teaching.
Fifth precept: do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life, fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
Again, this is very in touch with basic Buddhist teachings to avoid the idea that fulfilling our desires make us happy. I really feel it’s a good teaching in this world where billionaires are becoming oligarchs. And yet perhaps because of that, it’s sometimes hard to avoid these escapists fantasies where winning the lottery solves all your problems. I know that wouldn’t be true, but the ingrained cultural idea is very hard to fight.
Sixth precept: do not maintain anger or hatred. As soon as anger and hatred arise, practice the meditation on compassion in order to deeply understand the persons who have caused anger and hatred. Learn to look at other beings with the eyes of compassion.
This is really the one I personally struggle with the most right now
Fourth precept: do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, by all means, including personal contact and visits, images, sound. By such means, awaken yourself, and others to the reality of suffering in the world.
I can see the purpose of this one. As he points out in the commentary, the Buddha’s first teachings were on suffering. And obviously running away from suffering is an escape strategy. On the other hand, sometimes I feel it’s totally necessary for my mental health. So this is another pretty hard teaching.
Fifth precept: do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life, fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
Again, this is very in touch with basic Buddhist teachings to avoid the idea that fulfilling our desires make us happy. I really feel it’s a good teaching in this world where billionaires are becoming oligarchs. And yet perhaps because of that, it’s sometimes hard to avoid these escapists fantasies where winning the lottery solves all your problems. I know that wouldn’t be true, but the ingrained cultural idea is very hard to fight.
Sixth precept: do not maintain anger or hatred. As soon as anger and hatred arise, practice the meditation on compassion in order to deeply understand the persons who have caused anger and hatred. Learn to look at other beings with the eyes of compassion.
This is really the one I personally struggle with the most right now
