Interconnectedness P4/1

Interconnectedness P4/1, by Suvannavira

Recap: Principles, or universal laws
Precepts, negative or positive, which we can practice
Practices, specific to our personal situation

Q has what we have already learned affected our life? If not why not? If yes, how?

Now fourth theme
Looked at from three angles
1/ Principle of interconnectedness
2/ precept of generosity
3/ precept of not taking what is not freely given

1/ interconnectedness:

Buddhism teaches the principle of interconnectedness
All things are interconnected

In other words this is the teaching of anatha or no self
Danger of misunderstanding no self
We conclude ethics is not important
Or develop what sangharakshita called alienated awareness

Anatha or no self means
A/ no fixed permanent self
Buddha’s challenge: find something in your experience that you can point to
And say this is my self

B/ no separate self
We experience ourselves in here
And others as objects out there
This is a delusion teaches Buddhism
Insight can be described as overcoming the distinction between self and other

Indra, the King of the Gods in Hindu Mythology, possesses a number of treasures, one of which is a net made entirely of jewels. According to the Buddha in the Gandavyuha Sutra, “All the Jewels shine in each, and each of them shine in all.”

The universe is just like this. As such, one cannot fully understand any one part of the Dharma unless one understands the whole.

Additional material: Refuted idea of the self found in the Pali canon, Reincarnation and rebirth
Q what is our experience of being interconnected or lack of connection

2/ now the positive precept of generosity

A common misapprehension is to think of insight and egolessness in abstract, even metaphysical terms rather than as comprising concretely-lived attitudes and behaviour. But realizing the truth of egolessness simply means being truly and deeply unselfish. To contemplate the principle of egolessness as some special principle that is somehow separate from our actual behaviour will leave it as far away as ever. If we find it difficult to realize the ultimate emptiness of the self, the solution is to try to be a little less selfish. The understanding comes after the experience, not before. from Sangharakshita Complete Works - volume 15: 'Pali Canon Teachings and Translations' p. 339

With open handed generosity I purify my body
I don’t know which word is better, generosity or Dana?

If we are interconnected, when we give to others we also give to ourselves
We aren’t an isolated individual
Even an isolated family or country
Broadest expression of this spirit is given by the bodhisattva vow
To gain enlightenment for the sake of all living beings
For the bodhisattva
Practising the perfection of wisdom
Gives without any perception of:
Giver, gift or recipient

What do we mean by generosity
Not just Dana
Dana to the teachers of the dharma
Six dimensions of generosity
Each higher than the previous one

I/ material things, what we usually think of as Dana
Ii/ time and energy, this is a gift
Iii/ knowledge and culture
Iv/ fearlessness, we sometimes feel secure just being in someone’s company or thinking of them
V/ life and limb, we might have to risk our lives for someone else’s sake
Vi/ the gift of the dharma itself as highest form of Dana.
Giving others the means to find liberation.

Q what is our relation to generosity?
Which form of generosity do we find easiest to practice, which hardest?

3/ finally the negative precept
I undertake the training principle of not taking what is not freely given

This precept doesn’t just refer to theft
It also refers Taking up someone’s time when the don’t want to give it
Indeed any form of manipulation of one ego getting what it wants,
Against the wishes of another,
Goes against this precept

If we allow ourselves to be manipulated then we are encouraging someone else to not follow this precept.

We can ask ourselves, are we giving the other person an entirely free choice?
If not then we are not following this precept
It can be very subtle

We can see practicing this precept as staying in the gap or intermediate point
When we stay in the intermediate point, then we are not taking Anything that is not freely given

Q what is our experience of being given an entirely free choice?
What is our experience of giving someone else an entirely free choice?

During the week: How can we give more Dana, how can we manipulate less?
How can we recognise our interconnectedness more deeply