Last
Sunday’s discussion circled around the issue of Buddhist ethics at the edge of
the precepts. We can all agree about the
value of non-violent action, and can see the value of Gandhi’s non-violent
teaching of Satyagraha, or
truth-force. But then the question
arises as to how much can we rely on these approaches when the potential for
destruction has become so magnified through technology? In other words, what
does it mean to uphold the precepts in this time of such global, and perhaps
irreversible, environmental devastation?
And what does it mean to uphold the precepts in light of the unspeakable
violence being inflicted on so many of our sisters and brothers, and on so many
children of the world?
These
questions generated considerable interest, so it was suggested not only that we
continue with it next week (Sunday the 22nd), but that we create a
weblog where others can join in and post any further thoughts or questions. We are aware that passions can run deep when
trying to speak to some of these complex issues; please be sure your postings
are well-considered, and stay focused within the bounds of the precepts. (We
would not want to create false impressions regarding the spirit of practice at
our center.)