Friday Night Zen #19
December is the slow season at work. I sit and browse on the computer to fill my time some days. I get lots of time to ponder, or gaze at my navel, or whatever it is that we Buddhist-types do. As I write, I find myself alone in the office awaiting the mail carrier. The loudest sound is me chewing gum (disgusting habit, I know.) While searching my brain for a quote or an insight of Zen clarity, I see the small picture frame on the wall in front of my desk. Beside the wallet sized photos of my wife and daughter wedged in the corners, the frame holds a computer print out in green and yellow to remind me to recall a Buddhist concept called Metta, (as the Tibetans say) or Loving-kindness.
The Metta Sutra
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech,
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways,
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and safety,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be,
Whether they are weak of strong, omitting none,
The great of the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near of far away,
Those born and to-be born,
May all beings be at ease.Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state,
Let none, through anger or ill will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings;
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards into the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill will.
Whether standing or walking, seated of lying down,
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
Perhaps it's a bit early to convey; but in the waning weeks of a year of contention and animosity, as we look forward to traditional years-end festivities and the fresh start of a new calendar, should we find ourselves as I do now - with too much time to think - perhaps we could attend to our legacies as an individual and as a member of the dominant species on this singular planet, and ponder the meanings and consequences of our actions, inactions and indifferences. Ask ourselves, too, if we have shown living-kindness, not just our small circle of family, friends, and associates, but to society, to mankind, and to the planet.
Please re-read the Metta Sutra. Disregard the closing notion of rebirth if you don't accept it. Instead, open your mind to all the properties espoused, the dignity and the grace of the language. Note the universality of the message, be you Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or Jew, there's much here to emulate for us all. Not just during the holidays, but during everyday. That's what Buddhism brings to the world: the art of Being Human, and a method of peace.
Namaste.