“This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” – Peace Pilgrim
With all the talk these days about wars and violence and aggression, it has me thinking more and more about what peace means to me and to others who yearn for it every day. It also leads me to ponder how one who follows Buddhist Belief will deal with the subject of peace in these times.
The photo I’ve included today is of a completed Sand Mandala that was built the week of May 11, 2009 in our public library here in Dayton, Ohio. The photo was taken by my friend, Jamie McQuinn. I’ve also included a video at the end of this post that goes into more detail about this mandala and the story behind it. Hope you will take a moment to watch it. It does tie in with this post.
So, today I want to write about Buddhism and Peace. Here we are, living through these times of violent conflicts which result in death, injury and misery to millions of innocent people. For those who are not acquainted with Buddhist Belief, and at the risk of boring those of you who do understand, here’s a quick introduction.
Buddhism is based on the teachings of Buddha who lived over 2500 years ago. His name wasn’t “Buddha”, it is actually Siddhartha Gautama. “Buddha” really means ‘one who knows’. Buddha was a human being — he made no claims about being a prophet or a God or a messenger of God. He was a great teacher and he based his teaching on what he discovered for himself through his own effort and experience.
More or less, the entirety of his instructions to his followers could be found within a single verse from the Dhammapada – which is a well-known and much respected anthology of some of His teachings:
‘Sabba papassa akaranan, Kusalassa upasampada, Sacitta pariyo dapanam, etan Buddhana sasanam.’ “Not to do any evil; to cultivate good; This is the teaching of the Buddha.”
Okay, there’s the nutshell version of Buddhist Belief. It’s also a clue as to why writing about Buddhism and Peace might make some sense.
So, what is “evil” in the Buddhist sense of the word? It’s all the thoughts, words and actions that are unwholesome — the stuff associated with greed, hatred and delusion. Greed can manifest in several ways – selfishness, avarice, envy, jealousy, covetousness, and so on. Hate could manifest as ill will, malice, strife, resentment, revenge, pride, etc. Delusion is not understanding the true nature of the world – believing what is not real to be real, the impermanent to be permanent and not understanding the law of cause and effect.
The other side of this is the good, the wholesome. This is about generosity, which is the antithesis of greed. It’s about loving kindness, the opposite of hate, and wisdom which is non-delusion. Buddhists have an ultimate goal — and that’s the goal of enlightenment. Enlightenment is the total and permanent eradication of greed, hatred and delusion by cultivating generosity, loving kindness and wisdom.
(Want to be a Buddhist? That’s all there is to it.) 
In the Buddhist Belief, there are some simple ways to determine whether what you’re doing falls into the wholesome or unwholesome category. If an action, this includes thoughts and words as well, does harm to oneself or to others, it is unwholesome. If, on the other hand, it benefits others or oneself, such action is good and wholesome. The Buddha urged his disciples to “use oneself as a standard” when deciding how to treat others. As the old proverb goes, “Do as you would be done by.” Further he has said, “When you know for yourselves these things are unprofitable, blame-worthy and censured by the wise, and when these things are performed and undertaken and result in loss and sorrow, then reject them.”
If we can learn to use these guidelines in our daily lives — and the world could follow our lead — there would be peace and harmony in society.
I’ve run a little longer than I intended, so let me go right to the video I made about the Sand Mandala. I hope you enjoy it.
Until next time ….
Namaste — Be in Peace.
Ron Rink
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For those who wanted me to repeat the links for the books I’ve mentioned in the last few articles, here they are again — And, I have added a new book for you by Pema Chodron. It’s the last one in the list. I highly recommend all these books to you:
Sharon Salzberg — The Kindness Handbook
“It takes boldness, even audacity, to step out of our habitual patterns and experiment with a quality like kindness–to work with it and see just how it might shift and open up our lives. This book is an invitation to do just that.” – From The Kindness Handbook — “The Kindness Handbook
Eckhart Tolle’s amazing best seller, “A New Earth”
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s wonderful book, “My Stroke of Insight” — “Nirvana is just a breath away!”
And this one by Sharon Salzberg and is entitled: “A Heart as Wide as the World: Living with Mindfulness, Wisdom and Compassion“.
This is a new one for you by Pema Chodron entitled: “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
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Always remember this wonderful quote from Buddha ….
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”~~~ Buddha
Shanti everyone, … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”~~~ Buddha
Have a peaceful day!! —
Ron Rink
http://www.theleaderinside.com
http://www.wecould2.com
http://www.buddhistbelief.com