May all beings be happy and free from suffering (Osama)

[tedmac]

Well, according to my Facebook feed, Osama bin Laden is dead. While most of my friends and family are sending one another virtual high-fives, my current status update is just this: May all beings be happy and free from suffering. I'm posting here just because I felt the need to say *something* more, and I don't feel right doing it on Facebook. Should we really celebrate violent death? Anyone's? Maybe compassion for those suffering in the world is sometimes best accomplished in silence, when speaking out for compassion may be taken by others as a violent act in itself.

-Ted

[Jundo]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Thank you, Ted.

Yes, this will be the theme of a talk or two during our monthly Zazenkai next Saturday or during this week.

We must even wish peace, and chant for Osama Bin Laden (Of course, for those in his family who were killed too). Though it may be shocking for some people, the perspective on chanting for Osama Bin Laden is this: If he could have once found the peace and non-violence which we chant for, no harms would not have happened at his hands as did occur. Yes, he is "Buddha" too ... although hidden under layers and layers of anger, religious divisions, violence and disrespect for life and other ugliness. As the ripples of his actions sweep on into the future (long after his death), we also chant that they may settle into healing and peace. Even here, the real "enemy" was not Osama, but the Greed, Anger and Ignorance that plagues all humanity.

What about the taking of his life in this case? The use of force, even the taking of life may be needed (in my view, maybe the view of the great majority of Buddhist teachers -- though not all -- commenting on the matter these days) in some extreme cases in order to save innocent lives. This may be such a case. However, we should reflect and repent on having the need to do so nonetheless. Also, we should know that our actions may themselves cause ripples ... that all violence, even "justified" violence, begets violence. Even if resorted too as a way to save life, the taking of a life should be as a last resort ... after all other solutions have been tried, including turning the other cheek. (That is just my view)

Let us also chant for a world in which we can ALL live together in peace, with human rights, food and shelter and such for all. Then perhaps this will finally be a world in which people feel no compulsion to kill each other at all.

Gassho and Peace, Jundo

[Adam]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

My thoughts are with those that lost their lives amost 10 years ago and who have passed since.

Gassho,

Adam

[Nenka]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Thank you, Ted. I am having these feelings as well. I'm watching people on t.v. shouting USA! USA! and I just . . . you're right. May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Gassho,

Jennifer

[Hogo]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Yup.
Gassho ~ D

*Edit*
P.S.
Ted, hope you don't mind I sent your wise sentiment on to my FB status as well. I know there is so much emotion now, and yet...... I feel really, can not explain. May ALL be free from suffering, now and always.

[anista]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Under certain karmic conditions, we too could have been Osama Bin Laden. Would we have done better if we were him, walking in his shoes, living his life? Then how could we possibly rejoice of a death of a sentient being?

May all beings be free from suffering.

[Hans]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Hello,

just my two novice-in-training-cents, feel free to disagree.

To follow the way of Zen is to drop all likes and dislikes whilst being guided every step by limitless compassion. Limitless. It doesn't stop at your front door, your neighbourhood picket fence or country border. Limitless.

This is why (getting personal for a second) when I say "May all beings be happy and free from suffering and attain unexcelled perfect awakening.", I include those who killed my grandfather's brothers (one priest, one priest-to-be) on the eastern front, those who raped my grandmother's best teenage friends when they were chased out of their homes in the Sudetes, never to return to their homes...and others too.

One can discuss what needs to be done when one is responsible for a whole country, and sometimes what needs to be done may be far removed from our ideals, but IMHO as Buddhists we cannot for one second doubt that everyone is deserving of our compassion.

Every sentient being deserves limitless compassion. Every single not-alone-interdependent-one. To seperate "one" completely from "others" is to split heaven and earth in two.

It's easy to talk about compassion when it doesn't involve dislikes and likes close to home, but facing the death of an "enemy" is exactly the time to see how much work we have to do on ourselves and with one another.

In extending my compassion to everyone and everything, I also carry a distant hope for others to extend their compassion to this stumbling, hurt-causing meat-bag called Hans in return.

Gassho,

Hans

[Kyonin]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Disclaimer: I am not American and I am far from understanding how USA culture works, even if a huge part of my family is American. I mean no offense to my American friends. Just trying to understand.

--------

Well, after 10 years the terrorist is dead. The whole planet suffered the consequences of 9 11 and last night President Obama gave the announcement on international TV.

Immediately people in the US went out to the streets cheering and clapping and according to news reporters, people were feeling that justice was imparted and they were all happy.

I can understand how people can feel happy for the death of someone who killed thousands but I'm kind of scared about overall reaction.

Aren't they all cheering for the feeling of vengeance and revenge? I mean, I can understand if a sense of relief prevails, but raving and cheering on the streets?

How was justice served when the US has been at war for 10 years and countless victims from both sides are well known to have cost?

It struck me when President Obama said that no Americans have been harmed. Is going to war and kill more people justified as long as the victims are not Americans?

At any rate I can feel the sense of relief that must prevail. I truly do. People can breathe easy for a huge enemy has been taken down.

I don't know. Just trying to understand.

[Kyonin]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Well, according to my Facebook feed, Osama bin Laden is dead. While most of my friends and family are sending one another virtual high-fives, my current status update is just this: May all beings be happy and free from suffering. I'm posting here just because I felt the need to say *something* more, and I don't feel right doing it on Facebook. Should we really celebrate violent death? Anyone's? Maybe compassion for those suffering in the world is sometimes best accomplished in silence, when speaking out for compassion may be taken by others as a violent act in itself.

-Ted

Ted, I am not American, but I can certainly feel the relief that must be on people right now.

Like Jundo says, maybe violence is justified in order to save lives, but yes, I agree. I think it's better to chant and think that may all beings be happy and free from suffering.

[Shokai]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Yes Hans; my deepest regards to what you write. As well, shouldn't we all reflect and accept the fact that Osama is the winner. His initial objective was to disrupt the powers that control the world, in whoever's name he did profess. And, he has achieved his goal. However, the best laid plans of mice and men, he didn't realize the enormity of ill-will that replaced it. The under current of anger in the western world is uncontrolled and the chanting of USA that we are hearing is a symptom of that. it is similar to the focus on Hitler over half a century ago. Human beings need to vent; if only they chose love instead.

[Rich]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Hans expressed many of my feelings. The reality is that Osama had to be brought to justice and he wasn't going to submit without a fight. This karmic outcome was determined from day 1. My hope now is that all military personnel be removed from this part of the world and may all beings be happy and free from suffering.

[KellyRok]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Hello all,

Putting thoughts to words for this situation is difficult for me at this time. I need to process it and wrap my head around it. My initial reaction did NOT include a feeling of relief, or happiness...it's more like an "oh, WOW" and a sense of sadness for us as a nation.

If you ask any American and some others around the globe, they can probably tell you where they were on that day 10 years ago when the initial tragedy took place. I know I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing. I can only imagine the gamut of emotions running through the families who were affected by this tragedy.

Today will be interesting at school...

Indeed, May all be free from suffering!

take care ... bows,
Kelly/Jinmei

[Dokan]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

I'm at a loss as well...my FB post this morning:

"Mixed feelings about hearing OBL is dead. Saddened to think of all the people who have died, on both sides. So much pain and suffering in war. Much metta to all."

It is a difficult line to walk as a Buddhist. How to express compassion without being labelled as a terrorist. Most of the time I just frankly state my feelings and opinions but remain open to dialogue. Sadly, during these times of high emotion, anger and hatred seem to get the best of people.

Gassho,

Shawn

[Hoyu]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

Anista wrote:
Under certain karmic conditions, we too could have been Osama Bin Laden. Would we have done better if we were him, walking in his shoes, living his life?

I don't know enough about him to know what happened in his life that made him what he was? Everyone has in them a Buddha as well as a bin laden. For myself if someone molested one of my children or did something equally terrible to them I could also turn into a bin laden. Revenge seeking and stopping at nothing to destroy them!

Gassho,
John

[Seiryu]

Re: May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

It is a difficult line to walk as a Buddhist. How to express compassion without being labeled as a terrorist. Most of the time I just frankly state my feelings and opinions but remain open to dialogue. Sadly, during these times of high emotion, anger and hatred seem to get the best of people.

very true. After ten years many people are just trilled to hear that he was killed. But still like what has already been said, we all have the potential to be Buddha or Devils, it all depends on us.

Bin Laden is dead, but what does that mean for us? How will we proceed from here? One man dead, but how many more will be killed? What happens now?

Gassho

Seiryu