You Keep Using That Word...

 

 

 

 

"You keep using that word.
I do not think it means what you
think it means."

~ Inigo Montoya - Princess Bride ~

Unique.   That's the word..    Unique.    It's used a lot when referring to the teachings of Jesus..    Like this: “Against the background of all the teachings of thousands of wise teachers recorded through the ages, the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth that most stands out as unique is, “Love your enemies.” It is also the singular teaching that breaks through the limits of human culture trapped in tribalism with the remedy to healing tribalism. All other pharmakon (Greek for drug, both remedy and poison) make use of a dose of the poison known as sacred violence to remedy the tribalistic violence amongst enemies. Only “Love your enemies” offers a cure devoid of any dosage of poisonous violence.” (From - The Girardian Lectionary) I'm not sure if it's laziness or pride or simple ignorance that causes Christians to write such things. Treating one's enemies with loving kindness predates Jesus by five hundred years (at least).  Like this example from Buddhism for instance (There are lots more): “In the same way, monks, there are these five aspects of speech by which others may address you: timely or untimely, true or false, affectionate or harsh, beneficial or unbeneficial, with a mind of goodwill or with inner hate. Others may address you in a timely way or an untimely way. They may address you with what is true or what is false. They may address you in an affectionate way or a harsh way. They may address you in a beneficial way or an unbeneficial way. They may address you with a mind of goodwill or with inner hate. In any event, you should train yourselves: ‘Our minds will be unaffected and we will say no evil words. We will remain sympathetic to that person’s welfare, with a mind of goodwill, and with no inner hate. We will keep pervading him with an awareness imbued with goodwill and, beginning with him, we will keep pervading the all-encompassing world with an awareness imbued with goodwill equal to a catskin bag—abundant, enlarged, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will.’ That’s how you should train yourselves. “Monks, even if bandits were to carve you up savagely, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, he among you who let his heart get angered even at that would not be doing my bidding. Even then you should train yourselves: ‘Our minds will be unaffected and we will say no evil words. We will remain sympathetic, with a mind of goodwill, and with no inner hate. We will keep pervading these people with an awareness imbued with goodwill and, beginning with them, we will keep pervading the all-encompassing world with an awareness imbued with goodwill—abundant, enlarged, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will.’ That’s how you should train yourselves. “Monks, if you attend constantly to this admonition on the simile of the saw, do you see any aspects of speech, slight or gross, that you could not endure?” “No, lord.” “Then attend constantly to this admonition on the simile of the saw. That will be for your long-term welfare & happiness.” That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, the monks delighted in the Blessed One’s words. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu And how about the great Buddhist prayer of Loving Kindness that is recited every day in one form or another: May all beings everywhere, as vast as space, have happiness and the causes of happiness, May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering, May all beings never be separated from that great Bliss that is without suffering, May all beings mentally abide in immeasurable equanimity, free from pleasure and pain. Note that the prayer says "all beings." This includes insects, rats, snakes, President Trump, Dick Cheney, Elon Musk, Hillary Clinton, Joe Rogan, Alex Jones, as well as low-grade irritants like the virtuous slenders (hah!). All Beings. Murderers. Rapists. Investment Bankers.. everyone. Pretty comprehensive.   In these modern times, the Dalai Lama teaches constantly on how precious our enemies are to us.  Enemies as Spiritual Teachers "The worst consequence of not being mindful of the unintended kindness of others comes into view when we consider our enemies. Without enemies you could not fully engage in the practice of patience — tolerance and forbearance. We need enemies, and should be grateful to them. From the viewpoint of training in altruism, an enemy is really your guru, your teacher; only an enemy can teach you tolerance. An enemy is the greatest teacher of altruism, and for that reason, instead of hating, we must respect him."   H.H. The Dalai Lama  And lastly - there is the foundational teaching in Mahayana Buddhism to regard all creatures (all creatures) as having been one's Mother in a past life.

 

 

 

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