Abby Mushin Terris, Guiding Teacher
Don’t speak ill of the Three Treasures of buddha, dharma, and sangha. This precept, which refers to all actions of body, speech and mind, is often overlooked. Thich Nhat Hanh puts it this way, “Refrain from actions that cause the community to break.” Framing it so helps us take responsibility for the way in which we respond to any and all situations.
In a community, it’s important to include our differences and to hear each other if we are to be healthy and whole. This doesn’t mean I cannot disagree, but it does hold me responsible for being thoughtful about the manner in which I do so. The key is remembering the bonds that we share, the ways that we all inter-be, how we are all in this together.
When we get caught up in the delusion of individualism, we may act in such a way that makes an enemy of someone who sees it differently from me. In spite of how they may be acting, how would I like to respond to help us evolve in a direction that is realistic, kind and all-inclusive? Otherwise I am just caught and endorsing the way of war, power struggle, win or lose, which closes the door to our joy, creativity and health.
This precept contains the Dharma teachings of interdependence and all-self. It highlights and restates the way that all the other precepts function together. Dogen Zenji sums it up this way, “To do something by ourselves, without copying others, is to become an example to the world, and the merit of this becomes the source of all wisdom. Respect the Buddha, unfold the Dharma, nourish the Sangha.”
❤️ Mushin