Fimm skref í áttina að betra lífi

Ég held að ég hafi, eftir lestur ævisögu Búdda eftir Osamu Tezuka, orðið svo óheppin að hafa rambað á trúarbrögð sem mér þykja flekklaus í fullkomnun sinni.

Eftirfarandi er einföld samantekt á lögmálum Búdda í fimm skrefum sem mér þykja sannfærandi en vafalaust ekki auðveld í framkvæmd.


Five Steps to Being a Better Human Being

1. Be Kind to All Creatures.

Easier said than done. Most of us, mercifully don't go out of our way to kill living things but how often do we kill an insect or even a small mammal needlessly? A simple example is the spider in the bath. What do you do? Poor hot water over it and wash it away or cup it gently in your hands and place it somewhere safe? All you needs is a little patience. I live in a very old house and nature seems to intrude all the time but you don't have to turn to the insecticide every time you see an earwig.

Try to be kind and considerate to all living things, recognizing their right to live as much as your own. All beings are averse to suffering; all beings desire happiness. Despite all our apparent differences, we have these basic impulses in common.

2. Give Rather Than Take

In obvious way there are very few of us who go about taking things that aren't ours. Of course, if we do, it's something that we should stop doing straightaway. However, there are more subtle ways in which we take what doesn't belong to us. We may leave work earlier than we're contracted for, we may cut corners in the quality of the work we provide, we may exaggerate a little on our expenses claim, or not declare all out earnings to the tax man - these are ways that we take what isn't ours.

On the one hand we can avoid taking what is not given. On the other, we can develop a giving nature: this can be monetary or in terms of material gifts but it can just as much be about giving of our time, listening patiently to others, offering physical help or emotional support. Ways of giving are numerous.

3. Avoid Sexual Misconduct

Sexual attraction is something fairly deep-rooted in each of us. What Buddhism teaches is to keep our sexual urges within appropriate boundaries. Monks and nuns, of course, seek to transcend their sexual desires completely but for the rest of us Buddhism recognizes that sexual desires are bound to come along sooner or later. What is emphasized, however, is that these should not be directed towards inappropriate persons. Buddhism sees the importance of fidelity and the dangers of promiscuity and sexual exploitation. Disappointingly, sometimes sexual desire can just simply get in the way of seeing the other person for what they are in their totality.

4. Be Honest and Open

Buddhism teaches that we should avoid 'false speech', which includes lying and other forms of verbal deceit. We should be honest and open in our dealings with others, avoiding gossip and tale-bearing. The latter two are ultimately destructive and lead to the breakdown of harmonious and wholesome relations. If we tell lies, even minor ones, we tend not to feel good about ourselves - one because we are not happy about being deceitful and two because deep down we know that we are avoiding the truth which is beneficial to oneself and everyone else.

5. Avoid Drink and Recreational Drugs

The Buddha saw alcohol and other intoxicating substances as the cause of much harm. When we drink it is easy to want to drink more and this loss of awareness and inhibitions can lead to destructive behavior. Many serious accidents occur as a result of alcohol, as well as physical and verbal violence. The long term effects of the misuse of alcohol are also cause for concern with increased risks of cancer, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, heart disease and stroke.

If total absence is not something you wish to accept, then at least drinking in moderation should be the aim.