In this post, Nigel Shipston contemplates the koan of ‘how and when to act for the benefit of others’ in a world that is so obviously in need of help, right now..
I keep being drawn to the adage: “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem ” and reflecting on its relevance to the Mahayana vow to enlighten all beings. I find the adage personally challenging and it is phrased with that intention, phrased in a very dualistic way. There is no sitting on the fence or Middle Way. It’s not a Buddhist teaching, obviously, but in an age where the world seems on the verge of environmental collapse with all the implications that has for such things as food production, mass migration and law and order, do we still have the luxury of prevarication and kicking the can down the road?
I suppose, like a lot of people who are drawn to an introspective reflective life, I am not the most dynamic and proactive of people – not that those qualities in and of themselves are not helpful to others.. This, combined with the usual reticence of the British character, and you could call me an armchair activist.
How and when to act for the benefit of others? If there are myriad problems, then there are also myriad solutions. Different Buddhist traditions give varying degrees of emphasis on what we might call “engaged Buddhism “. We are generally left to make our own personal choices and decisions. Other religions such as Islam and Sikhism can take a more social or group approach and incorporate certain festivals of charity. Less so in Western Buddhism. And I would argue that this is due to the influence of Western Buddhist monastic traditions. The monasteries themselves become the main focus of charity. Whereas, secular Buddhist groups are often more rooted in the community, giving greater opportunity to be pro-active in socially important activities.
The Mahayana Vow is the commitment to help enlighten all beings through the Six Perfections of giving, morality, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom. The benefits are more effective if all six of these are combining at the same time. But, it is a perilous road to go down, to perpetually see things as either problems or solutions. We would experience burn out very quickly. Within our awareness we also need to continue to let go and to foster acceptance, to trust that enlightenment is possible for myself and others, right here and now, and not some theoretical fantasy in the future.
And, with that, I will go back to my armchair…..