Thursday, January 19, 2006

"Sticks and Stones"

  "Sticks and Stones Will Break my Bones


                        But Words will Never Hurt Me" ...an old nursery rhyme


 "Live in a Better Way"


by Dalai Lama


The Dalai Lama says that every "sentient" being contributes something to us and Buddhists strive to help people around them in the best way.He reminds us that we are all dependent upon one another on this planet.


He says that whenever we meet very difficult or very negative people, we should hold them in high esteem because they can help us develop patience and altruism, two qualities that we need to take us down the path to bodhisattva, or the accomplishment of being  Buddha who helps others.


A Buddhist,after having met with a difficult person, will try to meditate; asking that the person's suffering be lessened. He will not allow himself to become angry because anger cause grief and misery to oneself and to the other people. In fact, having to deal with a difficult person helps us to learn to deal with our own anger and sadness.These ideas take awhile to get used to.


What do you think about them?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

I would rather have my face punched in than have someone say something nasty to me....but maybe that is just me.

Anonymous said...

I think it is a great way to live. It is a great spiritual exercise to think positive thoughts of someone who has wronged you.you are not responsible for what is done to you, but you are responsible for how you react. I try to avoid putting negative energy out into the universe.
Marti

Anonymous said...

I think most of us could learn from their teachings. You could apply them to personal relations among family members, your neighbors, your co-workers, or even an angry stranger on the road. If one is not familiar with Buddhist teachings, one might consider reading a book or two, not necessarily to be converted, but to seek another way in life, to confirm what one already believes or knows to be true. What would you recommend for someone who is new to this topic, Natalie?   Bea  : - )

Anonymous said...

He's absolutely right.  It's just so darned hard to do what we know is right sometimes !  Tina http://journals.aol.com/onemoretina/Ridealongwithme

Anonymous said...

Dr. Robert Karen writes that people hurt each other, no matter if they love each oher or not, in his book"he Forgiving Self."He says no realtionship of any kind would work if there was not a lost lasting effort of forgiveness on behald of both parties.If this is so, how much more an effort must be made to reach out and care for those in our wrok group or family who do not have a loving relation with us?

Anonymous said...

The Buddhists think that anger is very detramental...because when you send that bad energy to someone else it will have to be returned to you! And  it could be multiplied! that's why they want people to disprse that energy and blow it up mentally and emotionally.

Anonymous said...

seems like the most fundimental virtues become so repetitive. ive heard that speach so many times about the bad in someone being a good way for us to learn tolerance and compassion. but there are more serious and much less trivial ways to seek enlightenment. go to mantra.org    

Anonymous said...

is this the journal entry that my troubles with my sister gave you inspiration for?

(sighs) its a tough one. i'm only human and as a human i can only take so much before i start throwing those sticks and stone back. i've not got very much patience, Adam just reminded me that i need more! lol!

There are some good ideas and lessons in here, i might take them on hand. i know that all the anger i feel for my sister does cause me misery and is bad for me. its s good lesson.

shermeen xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/shermeen0621/PublicThoughts/