Ugh! That's twice now! Get out of my head!
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Let's discuss VIRTUES
- Thread starter Spice
- Start date
I see others, in their true nature, as identical to me. The multiplicity is an appearance in Maya resulting in ignorance of that true nature. As a result, I employ the same level of compassion, respect, love, and rigor with everyone else as I would with myself.
अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म | Ayam atma Brahma | This atman is Brahman
Some of these virtues listed overlap. As far as 'discipline' goes, I refer you back to the tapas listed back on post #16.
I will also refer back to what I said about 'industriousness' back in post #77. It's important to be disciplined in these practices/austerities/actions, but not to the extent of self-abuse and self-judgment.
Secret Chief
Veteran Member
If you want to consider that as industriousness then please go ahead.Do Buddhists not work to end the cycle of suffering and rebirth?
The word does not immediately spring to mind for me.
Tamino
Active Member
Discipline! I guess that would give me the opportunity to pull out the virtue again I thought of first. It's discipline in the sense of keeping calm and not getting upset easily:
grw - "gheroo" - Silence
Ancient Egyptian instructions favor the virtue of "the silent one": a person who does not speak up without consideration, who tries to deescalate and avoid conflict and who controls their impulses.
This is contrasted to the "hot-hearted" who starts fights, does not think before speaking and is easily provoked.
The famous Ptah-Hotep relates some advice, to demonstrate how silence and measured speech is helpful in all situations.
He speaks of three situations of meeting an opponent in a debate.
One, if your opponent is of superior skill - if you keep your calm, you might still be able to impress the listeners with your graceful conduct, while your opponent may get into a rageful vent and thus damage his reputation.
Two, if your opponent is an equal, silence will show your superiority, while he might speak badly of others and this will not be well-received.
Three, if your opponent is less skilled. Then it would be mean to steam-roll him and anyway, he'll get himself in trouble without your help.
I have to admit that I am kind of puzzled by this set of instructions. In my experience, the "hot-hearted" debaters who speak a lot, who bad-mouth their opponents and appeal to emotion are the successful ones. Was old Ptah-Hotep just living in an idealized dreamscape in his head where everyone loves Ma'at and is wise and would not listen to braggarts and demagogues? Or was debate culture in Ancient Egypt truly different, with certain forms of emotional speech being received badly?
Discipline is actually discussed quite often in the Egyptian instruction texts. Young people are reminded that even animals are able to harness their impulses and follow commands, so a human should be able to focus on their schooling, to contain themselves and be a productive member of society.
grw - "gheroo" - Silence
Ancient Egyptian instructions favor the virtue of "the silent one": a person who does not speak up without consideration, who tries to deescalate and avoid conflict and who controls their impulses.
This is contrasted to the "hot-hearted" who starts fights, does not think before speaking and is easily provoked.
The famous Ptah-Hotep relates some advice, to demonstrate how silence and measured speech is helpful in all situations.
He speaks of three situations of meeting an opponent in a debate.
One, if your opponent is of superior skill - if you keep your calm, you might still be able to impress the listeners with your graceful conduct, while your opponent may get into a rageful vent and thus damage his reputation.
Two, if your opponent is an equal, silence will show your superiority, while he might speak badly of others and this will not be well-received.
Three, if your opponent is less skilled. Then it would be mean to steam-roll him and anyway, he'll get himself in trouble without your help.
I have to admit that I am kind of puzzled by this set of instructions. In my experience, the "hot-hearted" debaters who speak a lot, who bad-mouth their opponents and appeal to emotion are the successful ones. Was old Ptah-Hotep just living in an idealized dreamscape in his head where everyone loves Ma'at and is wise and would not listen to braggarts and demagogues? Or was debate culture in Ancient Egypt truly different, with certain forms of emotional speech being received badly?
Discipline is actually discussed quite often in the Egyptian instruction texts. Young people are reminded that even animals are able to harness their impulses and follow commands, so a human should be able to focus on their schooling, to contain themselves and be a productive member of society.
Spice
StewardshipPeaceIntergityCommunityEquality
And continually do their best? That's being "industrious" IMO, to continually live one's best - actively and externally. Perseverance falls into the continually aspect, but can be internal rather than external activity, I think.Do Buddhists not work to end the cycle of suffering and rebirth?
We Never Know
No Slack
What do you think endures means there?
Spice
StewardshipPeaceIntergityCommunityEquality
Perseveres, hangs in there, does not faulter, everlasts.
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Kathryn
It was on fire when I laid down on it.
Hospitality:
The main scripture I think of is Hebrews 13:2 which says something like
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
But there are many more.
I also think of the Feast of the Epiphany where we Catholics are commanded to show hospitality to strangers all year long. In fact, every January 6th, I chalk my door so to speak. I write in chalk 20 +c + b + m + 24 (the year) and the c b m are for the three Kings - Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior who are traditionally the names of the kings who went to see Jesus when he was small, and brought him gifts from afar. They were strangers in a strange land, and many times I have been able to share this story of hospitality with other people who notice the chalk markings on my door. Regardless, the chalk markings remind me every day of the year to be hospitable to strangers.
The main scripture I think of is Hebrews 13:2 which says something like
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
But there are many more.
I also think of the Feast of the Epiphany where we Catholics are commanded to show hospitality to strangers all year long. In fact, every January 6th, I chalk my door so to speak. I write in chalk 20 +c + b + m + 24 (the year) and the c b m are for the three Kings - Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior who are traditionally the names of the kings who went to see Jesus when he was small, and brought him gifts from afar. They were strangers in a strange land, and many times I have been able to share this story of hospitality with other people who notice the chalk markings on my door. Regardless, the chalk markings remind me every day of the year to be hospitable to strangers.
Spice
StewardshipPeaceIntergityCommunityEquality
Once again, borrowing these "virtues" and trying to maintain the source until the end, I had to do a touch of hiding. So, let's start this new day, for me at least, with:
Fidelity is complex, and involves
remaining true to the [Gods], kinsmen, a
spouse, and community. Much like honor
fidelity is something to be remembered.
In many early heathen cultures, an oath
was seen as a sacred contract -
someone who broke a vow, whether it
was to a wife, a friend, or a business
partner, was considered a shameful and
dishonorable person indeed. The Nine
Noble Virtues all tie in together - if you
fail to adhere to one, you may have
trouble following the others. The concept
of fidelity is one of loyalty. If you let down
a friend or member of your Kindred or
the [Gods], then you're turning your back
on your entire community and all that
they stand for.
Fidelity is complex, and involves
remaining true to the [Gods], kinsmen, a
spouse, and community. Much like honor
fidelity is something to be remembered.
In many early heathen cultures, an oath
was seen as a sacred contract -
someone who broke a vow, whether it
was to a wife, a friend, or a business
partner, was considered a shameful and
dishonorable person indeed. The Nine
Noble Virtues all tie in together - if you
fail to adhere to one, you may have
trouble following the others. The concept
of fidelity is one of loyalty. If you let down
a friend or member of your Kindred or
the [Gods], then you're turning your back
on your entire community and all that
they stand for.
Kathryn
It was on fire when I laid down on it.
Fidelity:
Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."
Hebrews 13:4: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." GOD will judge, not me!
1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up."
Lots more, tons more actually.
When I read about fidelity, I think of faithfulness. In small as well as big things.
Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."
Hebrews 13:4: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." GOD will judge, not me!
1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up."
Lots more, tons more actually.
When I read about fidelity, I think of faithfulness. In small as well as big things.
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RestlessSoul
Well-Known Member
RestlessSoul
Well-Known Member
osgart
Nothing my eye, Something for sure
A virtue in my life is loyalty and fidelity to the virtues themselves. This loyalty and fidelity supercedes loyalty and fidelity to people. There's about at least 100 virtues that are positive character traits that I've listed for myself. Without loyalty and fidelity to the virtues life loses its foundations and a person gets lost at sea.
Patience is a strength of character as well. Some people want to master things like the book, ' The 48 Laws of Power ', or ' The Art of Seduction ' ; these books are snares of manipulation techniques that really run contrary to living a virtuous life. The only genuine treasure in life is found in taking seriously the virtues. Feigning virtues is a dangerous and oppressive game that leads to destruction.
“A young boy became a monk. He dreamed of enlightenment and of learning great things. When he got to the monastery he was told that each morning he had to chop wood for the monks fires and then carry water up to the monastery for ablutions and the kitchen. He attended prayers and meditation, but the teaching he was given was rather sparse.
One day he was told to take some tea to the Abbot in his chambers. He did so and the Abbot saw he looked sad and asked him why.
He replied every day all I do is chop wood and carry water. I want to learn. I want to understand things. I want to be great one day, like you.
The Abbot gestured to the scrolls on shelves lining the walls. He said, ‘When I started I was like you. Every day I would chop wood and carry water. Like you I understood that someone had to do these things, but like you I wanted to move forward. Eventually I did. I read all of the scrolls, I met with Kings and and gave council. I became the Abbot. Now, I understand that the key to everything is that everything is chopping wood and carrying water, and that if one does everything mindfully then it is all the same.'
The work is the reward.
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Piousness is the virtue this calls to mind for myself.
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Fidelity: bad habits lead to unskillful results, and good habits lead to skillful results--karma.
"Intention, I tell you, is kamma.(Pali word for karma) Intending, one does kamma by way of body, speech, & intellect.
accesstoinsight.org
Nibbedhika Sutta: Penetrative
Tamino
Active Member
My tradition would not call it fidelity or honor.
It's all Ma'at: truth/justice/structure
People were expected to speak truth and conduct themselves according to justice and law. This includes upholding contracts and respecting other people's rights and property.
However, the Egyptian texts also keep talking about change. You cannot rely on a human's world and fate remaining stable... things change, often in unexpected and sudden ways, be it in the small-scale of a failed relationship oder the large-scale of a natural disaster or a war.
It's important that one conduct oneself according to Ma'at in whatever situation arises.
Fidelity, in the sense of never going back on an oath and never abandoning a relationship, is not explicitly mentioned.
Also, remaining true to one's god? Not a requirement. You should, in general, honor the deity of your city and don't break their taboos, because you don't want to anger the local chief deity... but if you move or have a different place or sacrifice to a different favorite deity? - that's just fine.
Spice
StewardshipPeaceIntergityCommunityEquality
Time for another, and another very special to me:
Honor:, one's reputation and moral
compass. Honor plays a significant role
in the daily life of many Heathens and
Asatruar, This virtue reminds us that our
deeds, words, and reputation will outlive
our bodies, and that the person we are in
life will be remembered for a long time
Honor:, one's reputation and moral
compass. Honor plays a significant role
in the daily life of many Heathens and
Asatruar, This virtue reminds us that our
deeds, words, and reputation will outlive
our bodies, and that the person we are in
life will be remembered for a long time