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Prabuddha Bharat — Enlighten India
Dr. Ambedkar is present in every cell of the body, and his dream of social justice and the abolishment of discrimination is achieved by practicing Dhamma to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. This Engaged Buddhism requires taking care of oneself to sustain the fight against injustice. In the Sutra on Mindful Breathing, the Buddha recommends an exercise to release tension and pain: breathing in, being aware of the whole body; breathing out, releasing the tension in the body. Relaxing the body aids the healing process and prevents sickness caused by accumulated stress.
The Sutra on Mindful Breathing also provides methods to handle emotions like irritation, anger, and despair. When these feelings manifest, one should refrain from speaking or acting to avoid damaging relationships. Instead, the energy of mindfulness is generated to recognize and embrace the painful emotion tenderly, like a mother embracing her baby. A promise can be made to loved ones to return to the breath during moments of anger rather than reacting. Harmony is further restored through the practices of deep listening and loving speech. While one has the duty to share their own suffering using gentle words without blame, it is equally important to invite others to share their difficulties.
Compassionate, deep listening involves listening without interruption, even if the other person speaks with wrong perceptions or bitterness. The sole purpose is to allow the other person to suffer less; correcting perceptions is reserved for a later time. These practices reconcile families and heal the Sangha. A divided community cannot effectively fight for social justice, making Sangha building a crucial practice. This involves training monastics and lay teachers to organize retreats and weekly days of mindfulness, ensuring the community remains strong and capable of social development.
