I hear a lot of
discussion about good and evil during Dharma talks and even simply around the Zendo. It
has become very stylish in the United
States among Zen Buddhist to quote Zen
scriptures and sayings on morality. The essence of which is that since we see the
world as non-dualistic good and evil are the same and merge into one. In my
humble opinion this is what comes from people reading without comprehension.
The fundamental
Buddhist morality is summarized in the Dhammapada by Shakamuni in a simple Triplett:
Not to do any evil’
cultivate good,
to purify one’s mind.
It is a simple admonition that even a child can understand. But
of course we’re not children and so we never tire of trying to muddle things up with analysis.
What is good we say, what is bad we say. How can these opposing ideas exist in
a non-dualistic mind. The answer is of course they can’t. And the confusing part of
this is trying to overlay our Western education on to an eastern idea.
One of the
underlying concepts of Buddhism is that we are all deluded. We drift in the
world of birth, death, and rebirth propelled by the karma generated by our
delusions. I submit to you that delusions are not real and therefore their
existence is itself a delusion. On the other hand good or at least those
things we call good are called good because they reflect reality. To say we
have Buddha nature is to say that we are by nature good, when we fight our true
nature we are unhappy and we suffer and cause others to suffer. Fighting your true nature is the result of
delusion. All the things we call bad almost universally result in suffering. This
suffering is generated by the unreal and untrue nature of the thoughts words
and deeds caused by delusion.
Simply put to do
good is to conform to reality to do bad to fight reality and come into conflict
with it. The result of this conflict is always affliction and suffering. So it
is a misunderstanding of the unity of reality to say that good and bad don’t
exist. It is evil that doesn’t exist despite its ability to create results
which create suffering and harm, it’s underlying nature is delusion. Good has its
basic nature firmly seated in reality and thus it is both real and beneficial.
When Buddha first
turned the wheel of Dharma he spoke of
suffering. The eightfold path is a path away from delusion toward reality
toward your true self and your true nature. When you’re in conformity with your
true nature and the real world you and those around you suffer less. And that
is a very good definition of good.
I know there are
Buddhist teachers that are running around teaching complete and total "in action"
and "lack of thought" or no mind in order to stop generating karma. This is itself a
delusion. Compassion is that emotion which occurs when our love for all
sentient beings is confronted by their suffering. The overwhelming desire to
end the suffering of others is generated within the bodhi mind. Unless these
things occur there can be no awakening and there can be no enlightenment.
If you want to
know if an action is good or bad simply follow the advice Buddha gave to his
son. Determine if this action will cause you or others to suffer. If it does
cause suffering it is not a good thing. When we analyze our thoughts our words and
our actions: we need simply consider the following: is this thought speech or
action in conformity with that which leads to yourself and others being in a state of:
1. Firm: resolute, stable, unmoving,
undistracted.
2. Pure and clean: unstained,
immaculate, bright.
3. Clear and free: unrestricted, free,
exalted, boundless.
4. Fit for work: pliant, light, fluent,
patient.
5. Calm and content: relaxed, serene,
satisfied.
Buddhist morality
is really very simple, it doesn’t rely on a list of do’s and don’ts, it is not enforced by a vengeful God. It simply reflects the nature of reality.Karma and
its fruits are simply words that describe cause-and-effect as it relates to
morality. It’s not complex and it’s not hocus-pocus. It is simply a way to
suffer less and cause others to suffer less. Sometimes we call this skillful means
other times we call it common sense. In any case do as much good as you can as
little evil as you can and purify your mind so you can distinguish between the
two.
