Meeting the 3rd Wednesday of each month, the Sacramento Climate Sangha provides dharmic support and a refuge for exploration of our hopes and fears about climate change.

Climate Sangha participants,

Here is a message from our presenter, Oscar Belaguer. We look forward to seeing you for tonight’s discussion.

For discussion at the Climate Sangha’s Feb 20 discussion of “engaged Buddhism”, I propose we reflect on the following three questions and the below first four of the Order of Interbeing’s Precepts of Engaged Buddhism; and read this short article, “A Stand Against Suffering”:

Questions

1. Do you ever suffer – physically, emotionally, or spiritually – from experiencing or thinking about the effects of climate change on you and others? If so, how do you respond?
2. Do the terms engaged Buddhism and activism evoke positive, negative, or neutral sensations/ feeling tones for you?
3. Is engaged Buddhism part of your practice? If so, does it include activism?

 

Thich Nhat Hanh, Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism (first four)

1. Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
2. Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others’ viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
3. Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.
4. Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, including personal contact, visits, images, and sounds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.

From “Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism,” Revised edition: Oct. 1993 by Thich Nhat Hanh, published by Parallax Press, Berkeley, California.

Thank you very much,
Oscar Belaguer