Tim/devotion

[Guest guest]

Dear Tim,

 

> For some reason I don't think devotion can be

" cultivated. " If it isn't

> there, it isn't there. Anything cultivated is not

genuine or authentic,

> the way I see it. You can't create devotion by

saying " you should be

> devoted. "

 

" Abandon what is unwholesome, oh monks!

One can abandon the unwholesome, oh monks!

If it were not possible, I would not ask you to do so.

If this abandoning of the unwholesome would bring harm

and suffering,

I would not ask you to abandon it.

But as the abandoning of the unwholesome brings benefit

and happiness,

Therefore, I say, 'Abandon what is unwholesome!'

Cultivate what is wholesome, oh monks.

One can cultivate the wholesome.

If it were not feasible, I would not ask you to do it.

If this cultivation of the wholesome would bring harm

and suffering,

I would not ask you to cultivate it.

But as the cultivation of the wholesome brings benefit

and happiness,

Therefore, I say, 'Cultivate what is wholesome!' "

 

-- From Buddha's Anguttara-Nikaya

 

Love,

 

Laura