Reply To: Sankhara

#51721
Lal
Keymaster

Taryal: “These days when I hear such news like rape case in India, mass shooting in USA, etc., I just say “Well, that’s sad. Let’s move on.” Is there a better way of reacting?”

  • No. You are right. That is the nature of this world. 
  • The Buddha described eight “worldly conditions/situations” (aṭṭha lokadhammā) that everyone (Ariyas or anariyas) encounters: Gain and loss, fame and disgrace, blame and praise, pleasure and pain. 
  • While an anariya may be exhilarated by four of them and saddened by the other four, Ariyas understand that is the true nature of this world and are not as affected. An Arahant is entirely unaffected by any of them.
  • See “Dutiyalokadhamma Sutta (AN 8.6).”

Of course, we should have empathy for those who are suffering. But we must also understand that suffering (or joy) comes due to causes and conditions. 

  • What is critical to understand is that some “bad outcomes” can be avoided by being mindful, i.e., by ensuring not to facilitate conditions that can bring “bad kamma vipaka” to materialize. But some are unavoidable, and we must learn to ‘bear them” with a neutral mind.
  • In the same way, one must do one’s best to create conditions for “good outcomes.” One must also enable others to strive for and reach “good outcomes.” (All in a mundane sense.)
  • Those unaware of Buddha’s teachings try to blame others for their situations. It is not possible to make “everyone the same.” That is why socialism/communism failed in every country it was tried on. 
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