There is talk about two sentences that can bring balance into a person's life to keep the jostling see-saw of life from getting too much out of control; if that be possible. But more on that a bit later....
Many talk about being a good example to others, especially an older child for younger siblings, or even parents for their children. To behave circumspectly for others is a mighty and noble task; however, there are those who would dispense with the responsibility. Why must they always be so goody-goody?
Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda, in his book What Buddhists Believe says, on Page 248, there are,
"...two sentences that complement each other and should not be taken...separately."
They are:
"Protecting oneself one protects others" and "Protecting others one protects oneself."
Sounds like he is saying, our example should be for ourselves first, then branch out to others while maintaining our 'goodness' for ourselves.
Ezra, a scribe from Old Testament times, was an excellent example of this (Ezra 7:1-6, 8-10). Focus on verse 10...
"For Ezra had devoted himself to the study of the law and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel."
Did ya notice that? He not only "knew" the law, he "observed" it. He obeyed it; lived by it.
Because he "protected" himself by these observances, he had integrity. Others knew of his practice and were ready to listen to him as a result.
When you read the book of Nehemiah you will see this 'Ezra the Scribe' reading the
"Book of the Law of Moses which the LORD commanded for Israel" (Nehemiah 8:1)
The assembled people had asked him to read (Nehemiah 8:1-8). The further result, as you'll see in verse 6 is,
"all the people...bowed down and worshiped," NOT Ezra, but "the LORD with their faces to the ground."
Others of the leaders then helped to explain the words read (vs 8).
A ripple effect can be seen here; that ole proverbial pebble thrown into the lake idea-the ripple rings radiating outward in ever increasing radii.
Bring this into today's Christian arena...we need to follow God's Word especially as laid out in the New Testament with all the "love one another's, forgive one another's," etc.
Of course the Buddhist "protection" is gained from Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha; their Three Gems. Part of this protection is to look after ones' health. Logical, as, if one needs to be responsible for others, they need to be fit and healthy to enable them to do so. Besides health, there is watching ones's morals; forsaking greed, hate, lust and the like.
We get this connotation from the Scriptures which say
When we do not love ourselves we will not love others much. With low self-esteem it becomes a downward spiral often leading to depression and needing others to care for one. When we do not love ourselves our eating habits likely would not be very healthy. Our health may well deteriorate. Others may go in the vice direction. So there is precious little protection of self and definitely minimal protection of others coming from ourself.
This loving of self is not to be confused with being selfish or arrogant, thinking one is superior to others. No. This is to be able to accept oneself as one is: big nose, big ears; family connections, or whatever. This is to accept oneself, yet not to the point of believing one does not need to improve one's character or conduct, but to have confidence in who one is.
God made us "fearfully and wonderfully" (Psalm 139:14 NIV). We can praise Him for that. When we accept who we are, we can love ourselves. Once that is settled in our minds then we can be accepting of others. We can accept them and show them loving care.
Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda says this is balance and harmony. Like the sea-saw balanced on the fulcrum at level plane. This is an essential responsibility to keep "loving our neighbor and ourselves " on even keel. God in His love and matchless grace reached out to each of us alike. We could do no better thing than to imitate His example.
Our motivation, however, is not to earn merit for ourselves, but to honor God out of gratitude, an outpouring from thankful hearts for all He has done for us through Jesus's death and resurrection. He secured our salvation for us and all that entails. All merit and praise belongs to Him!
Let us find our protection in Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2). We learn to live a healthy and holy life as He did and as the example of Ezra's life. Reach out then to others remembering a key is to learn that He loves us just the way we are and He accepts us as we are. If the Almighty Living God, the God of all the universe loves and accepts us, then we can accept ourselves and be under His care and protection. Come to Him just as your are.
In turn we can reach out with God's divine love with care and acceptance to others even as we maintain our own integrity in God's sight. As we show this love and care we can introduce God's ways as Ezra did in his time aiding others to go in the way God has mapped out for them. Although we do not do this from a selfish motivation, this could come back full circle and we may receive the care and acceptance from others as well. This is the leveled plane, with Christ our "fulcrum," that we do well to attain.
~ERC July 2018~
We get this connotation from the Scriptures which say
"Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:21 NIV).
When we do not love ourselves we will not love others much. With low self-esteem it becomes a downward spiral often leading to depression and needing others to care for one. When we do not love ourselves our eating habits likely would not be very healthy. Our health may well deteriorate. Others may go in the vice direction. So there is precious little protection of self and definitely minimal protection of others coming from ourself.
This loving of self is not to be confused with being selfish or arrogant, thinking one is superior to others. No. This is to be able to accept oneself as one is: big nose, big ears; family connections, or whatever. This is to accept oneself, yet not to the point of believing one does not need to improve one's character or conduct, but to have confidence in who one is.
God made us "fearfully and wonderfully" (Psalm 139:14 NIV). We can praise Him for that. When we accept who we are, we can love ourselves. Once that is settled in our minds then we can be accepting of others. We can accept them and show them loving care.
Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda says this is balance and harmony. Like the sea-saw balanced on the fulcrum at level plane. This is an essential responsibility to keep "loving our neighbor and ourselves " on even keel. God in His love and matchless grace reached out to each of us alike. We could do no better thing than to imitate His example.
Our motivation, however, is not to earn merit for ourselves, but to honor God out of gratitude, an outpouring from thankful hearts for all He has done for us through Jesus's death and resurrection. He secured our salvation for us and all that entails. All merit and praise belongs to Him!
Let us find our protection in Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2). We learn to live a healthy and holy life as He did and as the example of Ezra's life. Reach out then to others remembering a key is to learn that He loves us just the way we are and He accepts us as we are. If the Almighty Living God, the God of all the universe loves and accepts us, then we can accept ourselves and be under His care and protection. Come to Him just as your are.
In turn we can reach out with God's divine love with care and acceptance to others even as we maintain our own integrity in God's sight. As we show this love and care we can introduce God's ways as Ezra did in his time aiding others to go in the way God has mapped out for them. Although we do not do this from a selfish motivation, this could come back full circle and we may receive the care and acceptance from others as well. This is the leveled plane, with Christ our "fulcrum," that we do well to attain.
~ERC July 2018~
thank you for sharing
ReplyDeletewelcome. Thanks for reading.
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