PRACTICE THE PHILOSOPHY OF KINDESS

Fred Eppsteiner, ed., The Path of Compassion: Writings on Socially Engaged Buddhism (A Buddhist Peace Fellowship Book), rev'd 2d. ed. (Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 1985, 1988) (Fred Eppsteiner: "Increasingly over the past three decades, Americans have shown an interest in Buddhism. [] The practice of meditation , which, seemed quite mysterious just 25 years ago, is now widely accepted as a legitimate means to harmonious living." "Yet, despite this maturation and the acceptance of Buddhism and meditation even in the mainstream of society, our understanding of 'the Way' is still incomplete. No one would disagree that the 'inner' teachings and practices which lead to self-transformation and emancipation are at the core of Buddhism. But if the insights and awareness these practices help develop are not applied throughout daily life--to our work, our relationships, and our responses to crises near at hand and around the globe--then 'selflessnes' is a euphemism for selfishness, and detachment an excuse for indifference." Id. at ix. Kenneth Kraft: "The term 'engaged Buddhism' refers to [the] of active involvement by Buddhists in society and its problems." Id. at xii. "'Compassion' is a pleasant-sounding word, newly fashionable in, American campaign rhetoric. As a political buzzword, it implies a rejection of attitudes or policies associated with recent constraints on social services. The compassion valued by Buddhists is something different--a deep sense of oneness with all beings, a spontaneous impulse born of suffering. [] In simple terms, 'The philosophy of kindness'" Id. at xvii-xviii. Tenzin Gyatso, The XIVth Dala Lama: "[A]lthough attempting to bring about peace through internal transformation is difficult, it is the only way to achieve a lasting world peace." Id. at 7. "If you try to subdue your selfish motives--anger, and so forth--and develop more kindness, more compassion for others, ultimately you will benefit more than you would otherwise, So sometimes I say that the wise selfish person should practice this way. Foolish selfish persons always think of themselves, and the result are negative. But a wise, selfish person thinks of others, helps others as much as he or she can, and receives good results." "This is my religion. There is no need for complicated philosophies, not even for temples. Our brain, our own heart is our temple. The philosophy of kindness." Id. at 8. Jack Kornfield: "The forces of injustice in the world loom so huge, and sometimes we feel so tiny. How are we to have an impact? I will leave you with the words of don Jose in Castaneda's Tales of Power: 'Only if one loves this earth with unbending passion can one release one's sadness. A warrior is always joyful because his love is unalterable and his beloved, the earth, bestows upon him inconceivable gifts....Only the love for this splendorous being can give freedom to a warrior's spirit; and freedom is joy., efficiency, and abandon in the face of any odds.'" Walpola Rahula: "Buddhism aims at creating a society where the ruinous struggle for power is renounced; where calm and peace prevail away from conquest and defeat; where the persecution of the innocent is vehemently denounced; where one who conquers oneself is more respected than those who conquer millions by military and economic warfare; where hated is conquered by kindness, and evil by goodness; where enmity, jealously, ill-will and greed do not infect men's minds; where compassion is the driving for of action; where all, including the least of living things, are treated with fairness, consideration and love; where life in peace and harmony, in a world of material contentment is directed towards the highest and noblest aim, the realization of the Ultimate Truth, Nirvana." Id. at 109.).