At 35mins into the downloadable mp3 of the talk by Amaro called Listening to the mind there is a cool story which I thought I would share about having compassion for ones enemies. It sort of goes like this. Its a true story but I cant make out the spelling of the monks name. Amaro will know, but I haven't emailed nim to ask.
The true story of great master (cannot tell spelling from audio which is a shame) Siu yung.who at the age of 114 was attacked by the red guard.
He restored monasteries that were being destroyed by the communist party. He was so influential and so loved in china that at the time of the communist revolution the red guard came round and beat him up when he was 114 years old. They beat him with wooden clubs and left him for dead. Broken and bleeding. But he survived. He didn't die.
His fellow monastic took care of him, looked after him and were amazed at his strength and his resilience and he recovered.
Some weeks later the red guard found out he was still alive and they went back and beat him up again with steel bars. Broke his bones, and bust his head and he was incredibly injured. And everyone was sure he was going to die.
He was Incredibly hurt and was in incredible pain. And even his disciples, who loved him dearly, thought, "even though he'd been so injured and so hurt, the great master isn't dying. It must be out of compassion for us, that he's holding on, because he knows how upset we'll be if he passes away.
So they said to him. 'please, don't just hang on to life. Your bones are all broken, your organs are smashed, you're in such terrible pain. Please don't hold on to life just because you think that we will be upset if you pass away. If its time for you to die. Please don't just hang on to life for our sake. "
He said. "its not for you. I am deliberately holding on and staying alive. But its not for you. Its for the soldiers who beat me. Because if I died, the karma that they would create would be so terrible, I couldn't be responsible for that. So I'm staying alive. But its for their sake. Not for you."
And he lived for another SIX years after that. Wisely the communist army left him alone an he lived till 1959."
Nice huh?
Well I liked it.
Just goes to show. There's no excuse for hatred. Amazing !! levels of compassion are possible. Wow.
Right I'm off. Have a fabulous Wednesday!
About Me
- An Irish Friend of Bill
- I have recovered from the disease of Alcoholism. I believe there is only one person really,.. everybody. And that peace of mind is everything. -So treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself, because your neighbor IS yourself. I think most of recovery is what I would call common sense, but that learning to be ordinary is a true gift very few people acquire. My ambition is to accept everything unflinchingly, with compassion, and therefore be intrinsically comfortable in my own skin, no matter what. I am comfortable being uncomfortable and am willing to go to any lengths to improve my life. I believe the Big Book was divinely inspired, and is extraordinarily powerful. Unfortunately AA's best kept secret a lot of the time. (In my opinion). I just try to do what works, no matter what it is.
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16 comments:
That is a good story! Thanks for posting it! Compassion is a lost art in the country... many people do things in the name of compassion that are not as such. True compassion is not for one's self... it is selfless.
What an amazing story! I do like stories that teach us something and how true it is - hanging onto hate keeps us from living and moving forward. Cat
good stuff
incredible what lengths those guys seem to go to... not just him, some of the other monks you speak about to.. for principles
Hate is a word that I don't use. I can't think of anyone I've hated. I've disliked some people but never wished them harm. Thanks for the story.
Thanks for the good story--Very moving. Beautiful!
It puts praying for enemies and your mention of "praying for the bastard" in clear perspective.
Thanks for stoping by and sharing your wisdom and experience! It is greatly appreciated
Incredible. Where do you find this stuff (genuine question)?
Have a safe and sober day.
K
Amaro's dharma talks available free online. I download em onto my ipod.
http://www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/media_more/C14
Stopping by to say hello and re-read your list of 6 things to do everyday. I need to copy and print it out (if that's ok!) Thanks for all of your comments. they mean a lot.
thanks!
Incredible. Big lesson.
hope you'll come post something fabulous soon :) i miss reading ya.
Post!
miss you!
this is very good for you, ybg :)
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