Survival and Peace
Author: Terma Yang Ruizhiba
Promise to the Undestined Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!
When we look into the outer universe from space or other planets, we will see a vast expanse of pitch-black void densely covered with dust-like celestial bodies and planets. The infinite universe. The word "infinite" originally represents a shocking meaning. What we can reach and discover with our body organs and sophisticated instruments is just a drop in the ocean. The so-called Big Bang is just a drop in the boundless ocean. A wave is also a corner of the vast world mentioned by the Buddha.
Looking back at our home of life, among the countless planets and stars floating in space, there is a water ball. Although it is extremely inconspicuous and colorful, it is home to simple, traditional and different animal and plant life systems of different strengths and weaknesses, and plays a vital role in the maintenance of the universe. The wheel of life rotates naturally. In the world called the "green home" by humans, different forms of living beings live in zones of different heights and temperatures, some in snowy glaciers, some in deserts and Gobi deserts, some in forests and grasslands, and some in rivers and lakes. The sea also rotates through the spring, summer, autumn and winter of volcanoes, tsunamis, wind, rain, thunder and lightning, and fleeting waves. The blue planet, the "green home" is our hometown - the earth.
On other planets, life beyond the scope of human observation must exist. So far, people have not found conclusive evidence of life that can be observed with the naked eye on other planets. Therefore, the earth has now become the only homeland of countless lives, the place where these lives were born, the place where they survive and develop, and the place where their corpses end up. It can be seen that the earth belongs to all life, not just humans. Human beings are just a member of these beings. They only have the right to survive on this planet, but they do not have the right to destroy the earth's resources and dominate other life forms at will.
In human society, different living belief environments, cultural backgrounds and cognitive levels have local characteristics of values ????and outlook on life. Although humans will eventually transform this place into a global village, this achievement is made at the risk of a heavy future burden. We are progressing and destroying, with water in one hand and fire in the other. We are destroying all life systems and overdrafting the ecological resources that we have illegally restored for generations. The front and back of all activities are closely related to interconnection and interaction.
The vast majority of other lives, from the time they came to this world until the end of their lives, did not deliberately destroy any plant or tree on the earth during their lives, and eventually died quietly, just like bees collecting honey. , but it does not harm the flowers, it is a balanced use of mutual benefits and a win-win situation. However, human beings often use high-sounding reasons to endlessly plunder the earth's environment, torture and massacre the innocent lives that depend on it, and reluctantly pass away full of regrets.
Although animals will kill each other, they do so as a last resort when they are hungry, have no choice, and do not know what to choose. They are not like humans who clearly have other food. You have choices, but you are not satisfied. You extend all kinds of needs in all kinds of strange ways. You are willing to put other lives in danger for your own insignificant needs, and you completely ignore or even despise the rights of other lives. Among all living things, there is very little killing among similar species. Unlike human beings who are so insidious, cunning, arrogant and lewd, they can kill and torture similar species without hesitation for their own benefit. We have a lot of ironclad evidence to prove this.
The twentieth century that just passed was the bloodiest era in human history. In the first half of the 20th century, governments of various countries actively pursued policies of foreign expansion and aggression, using force to seize colonies and compete for commodity markets around the world. This triggered the First World War, which affected 1.5 billion people. After that, there was another six-year Second World War, in which two billion people suffered the trauma of the war. This number was 80% of the world's population at that time. The war has cost mankind an extremely heavy price. The loss of life and property is heartbreaking. The entire East and West are immersed in blood and tears.
The painful lessons and heavy price have sounded the alarm in the hearts of the world: This is the consequence of the infinite expansion of human selfish ambitions and the abuse of technology!
The war has made the world suffer a lot. The cruelty of the war has made the people who have experienced the disaster panic and fear, and ultimately buried the careerists who started the war. In view of this, the desire for peace and the voice calling for peace are now filling every corner of the world. But what is regrettable is that it seems that only human beings need peace. Each generation of newborns has never experienced personal loss, and some calls to safeguard the peaceful existence of other lives seem so weak, only in most cases A person's inadvertent passing impression can only play a negligible role. Therefore, other lives may face a more tragic experience than World War I and World War II at any time.
Author: 220.167.174.* 2005-12-15 14:07 Reply to this statement
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2 Survival and Peace--Protecting the Internal and External Shambhala
Before humans were born, there were other lives in this world. Human beings are just passers-by on the way. They should respect the survival and independent rights of existing life on the earth, and must not trample on other life at will. The earth is the home of all life. We all belong to the same era. Cherishing, equality and respect are the basis of love and happiness. Happiness is an inner feeling, not just dependent on the abundance of external goods.
To live freely in their own homes should be the most basic right for these beings. The reproduction of most animals does not pose a great threat to humans. They just enjoy their own resources peacefully. However, humans who have lost their benevolent hearts have cruelly taken away the skin, hair, bones, and meat that should belong to them. The earth and all life on it were not created by humans, and no one gave humans the right to possess them alone. As human beings, we have no right to harm any life on earth. Every life not only has the right to survive, but also has the right to be autonomous. If human beings violate this right for no reason, they have committed an unforgivable crime.
People are unwilling to formally communicate with other beings in a positive attitude, and are content with their status as slave owners rather than introspecting themselves. Although people often talk about various civilizations, ethics, freedom and peace, these words seem to be only the patent of human beings. Human beings regard themselves as higher animals and think that they are far superior to other life forms.
If this habit of killing animals at will is allowed to continue, the killing of each other among humans will inevitably intensify. Without sympathy and compassion, one day it will inevitably be for selfish gain and profit. Disputes also destroy human lives as if they were trivial. Furthermore, they use extremely lethal high-tech weapons to kill each other, shrouding the world in a bloody and brutal atmosphere, and ultimately leading to the destruction of all life.
If we want world peace, we must first start by being kind to animals. If you can develop this habit, you will never harm animals for your own benefit, let alone your own kind? Observe your own needs to escape suffering and gain happiness, seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, and then understand the wishes of others. If you do not consider the interests of others, harm and discrimination by others will be inevitable. There are many phenomena that we take for granted that we need to wake up to, so strengthening publicity and education in this area is essential. We must develop the habit and awareness of sincerely respecting, cherishing and caring for all life. Protecting the resources and environment that our ancestors and descendants rely on for survival is also the fundamental secret for mankind to achieve peace. Protecting the lives of other animals is an excellent way to protect our own lives.
Tibetan Buddhism has given most Tibetans a compassionate heart. They love all life in nature and strive to establish an extremely close and friendly relationship between humans, animals and nature.
The Tibetan people's compassionate hearts enable them to develop an equal love for all animals and nature. For example, they love their domestic animals and wild animals; they work hard to protect natural forests and keep water sources clean. They treat animals, plants and the natural environment just like their parents. They believe that all animals may be reincarnations of their ancestors or parents, and that we may all be reincarnated back into this world, so we especially love them; they believe that all things are animistic, and every plant has spirituality. , at least many parasites depend on them for life. Therefore, you cannot harm them at will; they call the mountain "Father Mountain" and they call the lake "Mother Lake". It is these great compassion and equanimity that make the Tibetans a peace-loving nation with a similar divine nature.
In short, humans must fundamentally reverse their blatant disregard for the rights of animals. Every life has the right to survival and autonomy. , Human beings need peace, and other lives must also want peace, because not wanting to suffer and seeking happiness are the common wishes of all lives. All life on earth cannot achieve true peace. External peace comes from inner peace. I must learn from history and expand the basic desires of love, respect and equality to the same feelings of others, from relatives and friends to strangers. ; From human beings themselves to all life. After all, what we do shouldn’t be too far removed from the labels of wisdom, clarity, and higher beings, right? We have a responsibility to take care of the vulnerable, other lives.
You must have a kind heart, love is like the universe. Similarly, although they are different religions and have different views, any religion advocates compassion, love, patience, and not only satisfying material things, but also improving inner goodness, etc., and focusing on inner virtues is the same of. So it is very important for every religion to live in harmony and respect each other.
In view of this, at a time when the whole world is in a state of devastation, we use the compassionate teachings of the Buddha to call on all religious organizations, animal protection organizations, environmental organizations, social groups and all walks of life who value life to People of knowledge should work hard for the well-being of themselves and others, and selflessly dedicate their efforts to achieve this lofty goal. May mankind practice the ten virtues and six perfections in terms of kindness, joy, compassion, and equanimity. The foundation for all living beings to achieve original perfection!