We can only take
responsibility for those things over which we can exercise deliberate control.
We cannot, for example, forbid ourselves in advance from experiencing a desire
to say something hurtful to another person. But we can resolve not to act upon
that desire if it should arise. As Buddhists, we take full responsibility for
our actions and speech, but do not consider ourselves bad for greedy, angry,
foolish thoughts. Failure to understand this point leads to a mind tormented by
guilt. Many people endlessly criticize themselves and believe that they are bad
people because they have bad thoughts. It is a sad mistake that causes a huge
amount of unnecessary suffering in the world.
When we refrain from
acting upon bad thoughts we can make progress in removing them from the mind.
The vital steps are to consistently refuse to indulge in them, and to cultivate
the meditation skills that cut them off at the root. Indeed, it might be said
that this is the most profound acceptance of responsibility: taking on the work
necessary to remove unwholesome thoughts from the mind, and to develop the
wholesome.
- - ❖ - -
"Food for the
Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the
Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.
- - ❖ - -
For other teachings by
Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website:
https://www.jayasaro.panyaprateep.org/
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