This video is part of a daylong that was offered at Spirit Rock Meditation Center on December 7, 2019. The daylong was devoted to exploring the first precept of not killing or non-harming, which is the basis, or foundation for the remaining four precepts of not stealing, not causing sexual harm, not hurting with speech, and not getting intoxicated. Full daylong description below:
Honoring All Life
Exploring the First Precept of Non-Harming
This daylong will be devoted to exploring the first precept of not killing or non-harming, which is the basis, or foundation for the remaining four precepts of not stealing, not causing sexual harm, not hurting with speech, and not getting intoxicated.
It is interesting to note that within the Western Insight and Theravada tradition, there is a philosophical divide between vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters. The first precept clearly states not killing any living being, which implies that all of life is sacred. Yet how is it that many practitioners still eat animals? And also what about climate change - can shifting to a plant based diet help? Is it possible to reconcile these conundrums?
In the Rhinoceros Horn Discourse, the Khaggavisana Sutta, the Buddha says: “Renouncing violence for all living beings, harming not even a one”… In light of the first precept of non-harming, which literally means to not take away one’s breath (panatipata), how do you reconcile eating meat or wearing leather? How do you deal with termites, mosquitos, flies, mice, rats, bacteria, or other creatures? How do you feel about using products that may hurt animals?
What is our highest aspiration for living a life of non-harming? What can support us to live more in fully in alignment with those aspirations? Is it possible to live without harming in our society? What can we do to reduce harm? What are you willing or not willing to do?
This daylong will explore non-harming (ahimsa) in our modern world. Is it even possible to live without killing or harming? We will show the film, “Animals and the Buddha” and then have a panel discussion and Q & A moderated by Bob Stahl and Richard Shankman with James Baraz, Thanissara, Bob Isaacson, Patti Breitman. Will Tuttle, and Jina Shaw. There will also be video presentations from Tara Brach, Konda Mason and Dawn Mauricio.
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