Nor Will I Kill

There is a Buddhist precept that says, "I will not be violent, nor will I kill." A lot of people take that as a literal, but it also means something else, to me. It goes far deeper.

On the surface it's very obvious to see what's wrong with physically hurting or killing someone. But more times than not, our life is about what's not so obvious to us. Do we do violence to others with our mind, thought and/or speech? That's a type of violence and way that people are killed too. I don't think the journey is about being a so-called "perfect person," but we can work towards progress and hopefully do it less.

When people make it almost a sport to be rude, cruel, belittle, verbally and/or psychologically abusive, attempt to embarrass, berate or almost in singular fashion focus their attention in "catching people do things wrong," it's a clear indicator that they may have lost something dear. In the west, we call it the "Soul." Put another way, we might call it the loss of humanity, in the worst way.

I've observed that when people use their mind in such a negative way, there is no hope of building harmony, unity, wholeness and compassion. Killing with the mind creates many, many gaps.

In practicing Zen, I recognize that it's not about learning so-called "new things." In certain instances it's about unlearning some of things that I mentioned above. To unlearn striking out at people, so that we can embrace. To unlearn listening, so that we can hear with our heart. To unlearn bashing people, so that instead of influencing people to hang their heads, we help others and ourselves to lift them.

In conclusion I reflect on the words of Gotoma Buddha from the Dhamapada . "All living beings are afraid of the stick [violence]; All living beings fear death, Just as you do, Therefore, do not hurt or cause another harm."

May All Beings Be Happy,

Jaye Morris, Curator
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