Easing into the Dharma

[Guest guest]

Hi Lobster,

 

I know what you mean - I too thought of the generous, charitable poor

people I have known when I read that first item. I think what it might

mean is for a given person, it might be easier to be charitable when one is

not poor. For a given person, take away all their money, and they'll be

even less charitable than they were before. It could also mean that a poor

person isn't capable of giving away great quantities, even though they give

great percentages of what they do have. Among the Chinese Buddhists that I

know, for example the Buddha's Light International based in Taiwan, there's

great value placed on education, getting ahead in society so that the

family and temple and Dharma can be supported. And support it they do...

 

Number (2) - you know, I have been in the Freemasons, 32nd degree. And by

and large, the ones that have great authority there, also have it on the

outside. They give time, money and influence to the organization. But

they tend not to be the ones who *study* it, who know the lore, the

ceremonies by heart, etc. Those are the studious, scholarly ones, mostly

not authoritative on the outside. And I never saw it practiced as a

spiritual path, though that's why I entered.... Same as at work in my job

now. Most of the people I know at work who study the Way in some fashion

or other don't have positions of great authority or responsibility. Thes and Partners study their responsibilities as Director and

Partner, by and large. If they study the Way at all, it's like nightstand

spirituality -- read a few nice thoughts before drifting off to sleep.

Which is pretty good, actually!!

 

With you in the Ease,

 

--Greg