Reinventing Beauty, Chapter 2 / Day 4 -- At First Sight

imagecourtesyjjjjoundblog

Peeps,


At first sight, it seems that this school of young monks are all queued for a shopping spree at Zara.  Seemingly contradictory for those who purport to eschew all things of this world.  Still, let's not jump to easy judgement or faulty conclusion.


His Holiness, the Dalai Lama states that, " According to Buddhist psychology, most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities. The pursuit of the objects of our desire and attachment involves the use of aggression and competitiveness as supposedly efficacious instruments. These mental processes easily translate into actions, breeding belligerence as an obvious effect. Such processes have been going on in the human mind since time immemorial, but their execution has become more effective under modern conditions. What can we do to control and regulate these 'poisons' - delusion, greed, and aggression? For it is these poisons that are behind almost every trouble in the world. "


Yet nothing is black or white, and as Buddhist teachings repeatedly advise, before that other world (or nirvana) is experienced upon enlightenment, we live on this earth, and really this is all we know or are able to experience at this present time.  Meeting basic needs such as shelter, food, and clothing properly addresses the requirements of the physical body; and after this had been completed, who among us can argue that inner piece is certainly much easier to attain upon a full stomach.   Perhaps this group of monks are lined up to get into a temple located next to the department store, or waiting to board the next bus for transport back to the monastery.  Or, perhaps the anticipation of comfortable cotton underwear available at deeply discounted prices is enough to elicit smiles of happiness at the thought of being aptly cosseted for the journey ahead.  


Please enjoy today's visual treat, and practice compassion for all earthly beings.


Sincerely,
Shane