“From the Personal to the Universal” with Jean This Sunday at Minneapolis Insight
Dear Community,
(From Jean) In one of what is possibly the oldest suttas in the Pali canon, the Attadanda Sutta (translated by Andrew Olendzki), the Buddha describes his despair at the state of the world. In uncharacteristically self-revelatory language he says:
Fear is born from arming oneself.
Just see how many people fight!
I’ll tell you about the dreadful fear
that causes me to shake all over:
Seeing creatures flopping around,
Like fish in water too shallow,
So hostile to one another!
--Seeing this, I became afraid.
This world completely lacks essence;
It trembles in all directions,
I longed to find myself a place
Unscathed – but I could not see it.
To me, this sounded as though he might be describing his reaction to the events of yesterday – or the day before. His fear resonated with my own, and I felt like he got it. It was a relief, in an odd way.
But, being the Buddha, he didn’t leave it there. He went on to describe his realization that there is a cause for his and others’ suffering (craving or desire) and the possibility of a cure (letting go of the ego’s attachments).
Seeing people locked in conflict,
I became completely distraught.
But then I discerned here a thorn
--Hard to see – lodged deep in the heart.
It’s only when pierced by this thorn
That one runs in all directions.
So if that thorn is taken out –
one does not run, and settles down.
Who here has crossed over desires,
the world’s bond, so hard to get past,
He does not grieve, she does not mourn.
His stream is cut, she’s all unbound.
What went before – let go of that!
All that’s to come – have none of it!
Don’t hold on to what’s in between,
And you’ll wander full at peace.
(For the rest of Andy’s translation, go to https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/article/the-thorn-in-your-heart-selections-from-the-attadaṇḍa-sutta/ or Thanissaro Bhikku’s fuller translation at https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.4.15.than.html)
Sounds like a good idea, but how, I wondered, do I let go of my grief over climate change (or a million other things)? Of my craving that it be different than it is?
As you know, the Noble Eightfold Path–ethical conduct, mind training, and wisdom –provides a map for the way out. And the work of several contemporary authors, as well, has helped me move from the habit patterns of my own mind/ego to the bigger picture–or, in some cases, the smaller picture. The way out from what I am calling the personal to the universal.
I look forward to sharing some of this with you his Sunday as we explore together how to live in a world that “trembles in all directions.” All are welcome. Registration and Zoom information available here.
With mettā,
Minneapolis Insight
