Dear Jana:

This quote from the Buddha speaks about maintaining compassion and loving-kindness, even in the face of extreme adversity and cruelty. The idea that we should not allow hatred to take root, even when faced with unimaginable suffering, highlights the depth of Buddhist teachings on non-violence and inner peace. The emphasis is on training our minds to remain unaffected and to cultivate compassion, even towards those who harm us. This teaching challenges us to rise above our instinctual reactions and aim for a higher state of consciousness where love and compassion prevail over hatred and harm.

I want to think about it further Wed morning and get back to you. What are your thoughts on this quote? How do you think we can apply these teachings in our everyday lives?

anita

Hi Jana

I haven’t seen that quote before.

The other day I was watching a old film about war where the soldiers behind enemy lines argued about taking some action that in some of their views would make then little different then the enemy. The danger is war is becoming what your fighting. You can see this in the conflicts today.

A story comes to mind that Campbell told “of a samurai warrior, a Japanese warrior, who had the duty to avenge the murder of his overlord. And he actually, after some time, found and cornered the man who had murdered his overlord. And he was about to deal with him with his samurai sword, when this man in the corner, in the passion of terror, spat in his face. And the samurai sheathed the sword and walked away”

Had the samurai killed the murder out of anger instead of his dharma, would the samurai still be a samurai?
I think there is truth in the saying that the end is in the beginning, the inner place from which we act matters.