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Engaged Buddhism
Sit like a Buddha, relax, and listen to the chanting to touch seeds of peace and compassion. Focusing on the in-breath and out-breath allows full presence in the here and the now. The Sangha is an organism and each person is a cell; practicing together generates a powerful collective energy that penetrates the body and heart to release tension, stress, pain, and sorrow. This energy can be channeled to family members who are suffering. Breathing in and out invites the Buddha, Dr. Ambedkar, and one’s parents to enjoy breathing together, recognizing their presence in every cell to feel light and free.
Experience training young practitioners during the war in Vietnam reveals the necessity of maintaining the spirit of engaged Buddhism while helping victims. Three things are learned from this work. First, one must go home to the Sangha at least one day a week to practice sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful meals, and Dharma discussion to nourish the practice. Second, one should never go out alone as a social worker but always go with a group to support each other. Third, the Sila body must be kept alive by practicing the recitation of the precepts, including the Five Precepts and the fourteen precepts of the Order of Interbeing.
The seventh precept, based on the teaching of Drishta Dharma Sukha Vihara given to Anathapindika, teaches how to be happy right in the present moment. Mindfulness of breathing and walking establishes one in the here and the now to touch the wonders of life. To love means to be present. Two mantras are offered to practice this. The first mantra is: “Darling, I am really here for you.” The second mantra is: “Darling, I know that you are there, and I am so happy.” Mindfulness helps recognize and embrace anger, fear, and despair tenderly, like a mother holding her baby. Deep listening clears wrong perceptions and restores communication. Bringing harmony to the family and Sangha is essential before struggling for social justice and the eradication of discrimination, a reorganization recommended by Dr. Ambedkar.
