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CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC AND PRACTICE

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020engageddharma Leave a comment

PANDEMIC AND PRACTICE: LANGUAGE

by Wayne Ren Cheng Shi

Is calling it social distancing the most effective use of language? Pragmatically isn’t physical distancing what is really needed?

Social distancing can send the wrong signal to the bodymind. A signal to stop all social contact. To not only physically isolate, but to actually socially isolate; which are two very different actions. The first can protect us from the transmission of the corona virus, physical isolation. In the minds of some people social distancing, especially in this time of fear and anxiety caused by the novel corona virus might be interpreted as not having any sort of contact with others, physical or otherwise. This may be only a few people but in a Buddhist practice these are the sorts of karmic consequences we must be aware of and discern a Way to avoid the suffering of even a few people if at all possible.

The corona virus pandemic is the cause of a lot of fear and anxiety right now. It is suffering on a humanity wide scale. It is experiential proof of the validity of the first Noble Truth, if you still need that proof. Language impacts how people think and act is a time of crisis. It is important that language reveals the reality of the situation and what is needed, no used to instill higher levels of fear and anxiety.

The coronavirus is not our enemy, it is a phenomena of nature. It is not a Chinese virus, it is a world virus. This is not a national nightmare, it is a health phenomena that will be dealt with. Perhaps this language is thought to drive people toward the mandated action but it does so through fear, anxiety and intimidation. Isn’t the very fact of the virus’ existence and consequences enough to produce wholesome thoughts and actions without resorting to fear mongering? The war themed language doesn’t reduce the already rising fear and anxiety about the virus, yet it can exponentially increase it. The language affects how we think and that directly affects how we act. Negative language leads to negative action. We need more positive language. That positive language could start with using the word emergency instead of war. This is a health emergency. It is not a war.

Listen to voices you have come trust. Be a voice that others can trust.

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THE HEART SUTRA

Avalokitesvara, Bodhisattva of compassion, observing deeply the refinement of wisdom, Prajnaparamita, clearly saw the emptiness of personality, thus enduring adversity and pain.

O, Saripurtra, form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form; form is exactly emptiness, emptiness exactly form, the same is true of feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness.

O, Saripurtra, all dharmas are forms of emptiness, not born, not destroyed; not tainted, not pure, not increasing, not decreasing, and so in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, no perception, no mental formations, no consciousness; no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no color, no sound, so smell, no taste, no touch, no thought, no realm of sight and so forth until no realm of consciousness, no ignorance, no end to ignorance and so forth until no old age and death, and no end to old age and death, no suffering, no desire, no cessation, no path, no wisdom, no attainment.

And so the Bodhisattva relies on the Prajnaparamita with no hindrance in the mind, no hindrance, therefore no fear, far beyond deluded thoughts, this is Nirvana.

All past, present, and future Buddhas rely on the refinement of wisdom and thus attain the cultivated enlightenment.

Therefore, know that the Prajnaparamita is the interdependent mantra, the interconnected mantra, the mantra of world making the mantra which relieves all suffering.

So proclaim the Prajnaparamita mantra, proclaim the mantra and say: Gate! Gate! Paragate! Parasamgate! Bodhi Sva Ha!

Great refinement of wisdom, Prajnaparamita, Heart Sutra!

Rev. David Xi-Ken Astor and Wayne Ren-Cheng Shi

Zen Buddhist Monks

The Teachers

Rev. David – Jim Yong-Xiang Eubanks Sensei – Wayne Shi

Ven. David (Xi-Ken) -- Eubanks Sensei (Shi Yong Xiang) -- Ven. Wayne (Ren-Cheng)

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Wayne Ren-Cheng Shi’s avatar VenerableWayne Slacker in the Deer Park at the Buddha Center

The Buddha Center in the virtual world of Second Life is a non-denominational Buddhist resource where all are welcome.  I, Wayne Ren-Cheng am in my eighth year offering the dharma in this beautiful, peaceful space.  The EDIG/BC sangha invites you to join us Fridays at 2pm Second Life Time (SLT is U.S. Western Time Zone) and Mondays at 11am SLT.

Main temple at the Buddha Center in the virtual world of Second Life

Inside the main temple

2011 Sangha in the main temple at the Buddha Center

EDIG sangha in the early days of the Buddha Center.

The Deer Park

Place of Peace Temple a Japanese Temple on the grounds of Furman University, South Carolina

THE THREE REFUGES:

I go for refuge to the Buddha, the teacher

I go for refuge to the Dharma, the teaching

I go for refuge to the Sangha, the taught

/\

I take refuge in the Buddha

I take refuge in the Dharma

I take refuge in the Sangha

/\

I have taken refuge in the Buddha

I have taken refuge in the Dharma

I have taken refuge in the Sangha

/\

THE THREE PURE PRECEPTS:

Cease to do harm.

Do only good.

Do good for others.

BODHISATTVA VOW:

However innumerable all beings are,

I vow to lead them all.

However inexhaustible my delusions are,

I vow to extinguish them all.

However immeasurable the Dharma teachings are,

I vow to master them all.

However endless the Buddha’s Way is,

I vow to follow it completely.

SVA HA!

ARTICLES @ orderengagedbuddhists.com: Order of Engaged Buddhists

Dogen’s Discourse #439

What Does Taking Vows Mean?

Two Traditions, One Wish

What Makes A MONK, A MONK?

Is Dogen’s Form Of Buddhism Zen?

Rev. David Xi-Ken Astor – OEB Prior

Rev. David’s Altar Buddha

Walking meditation at Place of Peace Temple, from the Furman Univ video. Eubanks Sensei, Ven. Wayne, Ven. David.

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