I’ve been meditating about ahimsa now for the past week. I’ve also been reading about Buddhism and the way Buddhists practice ahimsa. Eastern philosophies differ greatly from our western point of view, and so much gets lost in the translation that I must point out a major disparity. When people hear the phrase, “to cause no harm to any living animal or thing” or ahimsa, they often just think of physical harm – like swatting a spider or a mosquito. I’ll receive a reply from someone who I’m explaining ahimsa to and they’ll say, “Oh, so if a mosquito lands on your arm you’re not going to swat?” Although that is correct, the meaning goes much deeper.
Ahimsa also means to not cause emotional, spiritual or self-harm as well. The only way to fully relate this viewpoint to a westerner is by referencing violence. We must abstain from any violent act rendered upon another thing. In other words no hitting, yelling, pushing, grabbing, smacking, spanking or any other violent act afflicted upon another thing. This is probably difficult for most westerners to do giving all the violence in our lives. Imagine a people that abhor violence and wish to negate it in their society.
For example, in Theravada Buddhism, men often undergo a “temporary ordination” for an entire rainy season; so, for an entire monsoon season men will be ordained as monks. They undergo a monastic discipline, which means to live a simple and meditative life, and attain nirvana. This process is considered a compelling way to “add value” to yourself and your family. It is thought to actually influence the formation of young men’s characters, and it is occasionally pursued by entire groups, such as policemen, for whom it is looked upon as a badge of honor and benevolence.
Imagine an America where all young men undergo a monastic discipline, for nearly three months. Do you think our society would be different? Do you think these young men would grow up and create violent video games, television shows, cartoons or movies? Do you think we, as a society, would accept violence in our lives and in our children’s? I would say, probably not.
Having our children live a life of monasticism for three months maybe too much of a culture shock, but teaching and practicing ahimsa is very attainable.
Have a great day and God Bless.
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Tags: accepting violence, ahimsa, attaining nirvana, buddhism, buddhists and practicing ahimsa, cause no harm, monastic discipline, monasticism, teaching nonviolence, violence and children
Now that sounds like an America that I would love to live in. I have worked very hard to teach a non-violence philosophy in my house but it never fails that there is something on TV that I think will be perfectly appropriate for my 9 year old daughter and is just riddled with violence and just basic inappropriateness (is that a word? If not, I’ve just invented it).
Great post! Thank you.
KA´s last blog ..Wishcasting Wednesday…..
Thank you