This dharma talk focuses on the role of the guru and the unawareness some Buddhist teachers have shown apropos Buddhism’s profound ethical teachings. Lisa clarifies how to regard those who engage in harming without generating hatred toward them.
This episode features a dharma talk given by Lisa Dale Miller at Marin Sangha in March 2019. The talk begins with a discussion of teachers and their fallibilities, and the ethical standards the Buddhist teachings require teachers to uphold. The second part of the talk focuses on human beings who spend their lives engaged in wrongdoing, realize their misconduct, endeavor to transform internal suffering, and consequently end further wrongdoing. How do we hold such individuals accountable for their actions without getting lost in generating hatred toward them and their wrongdoing? How can we develop a compassionate view of those who have been harmful are no longer a source of harm? The wisdom of how to accomplish this is a big part of the Buddhist teachings on wise view, wise intention, wise action and compassionate recognition of human suffering.
An example of the Buddhist teachings on transforming harm is found in a sutta featuring a teaching by Angulimala, a mentally disturbed murderer who became a monk, renounced violence, and then served as attendant to the historical Buddha.
"Who once did live in negligence
And then is negligent no more
Who checks the evil deed he did
by doing wholesome deeds instead
He illuminates the world
Like the moon freed from a cloud
There are some that tame with beatings
But I was tamed by such who has no rod nor any weapon
Harmless is the name I bear
who was dangerous in the past
The name I bear today is true
I hurt no living being at all."