From Patrul Rinpoche’s Words of My Perfect Teacher, the section on the ordinary or outer preliminaries, in the second section of the chapter called “Actions, Cause & Effect,” Patrul Rinpoche describes the second physical action to be avoided: taking what is not given.
There are three ways that we can take what isn’t given: by force, by stealth, or by trickery. The examples given in the text are common sensical. Taking by force is to confiscate property or overpower in order to take someone’s wealth (a land grab after a coup, for example); taking by stealth is to take secretly (burglary); taking by trickery is to lie or deceive someone into giving their property (in a business deal, for example).
I actually think there are other ways that we take from others, that go beyond these examples. For example, we sometimes take what isn’t give through trickery when we manipulate another person emotionally, so that we can get what we want. Maybe there are other ways you can think of that we take what isn’t given (although we may go slightly outside the realm of pure physical actions).
Patrul Rinpoche’s chapter is pertinent to modern practitioners in that it points out how obsessed we are with “money and calculations.” We are so obsessed that we will still die deluded, he says. We also lie and cheat others for our own financial benefit, whether doing business or otherwise.
Patrul Rinpoche says, “Nothing could be more effective than trade and commerce for piling up endless harmful actions and thorougly corrupting you.” Any thoughts about this?
Anyen Rinpoche tells each and every one of us that we must find a way to bring the Dharma into our work life, as in every other part of our life. How do we reconcile this instruction with the reality of 21st century life, where each and every one of us must play a part in commerce?
Bodhichitta anyone?
Looking forward to the retreat this week! Allison
#1 by Clotilde Wright on July 6, 2010 - 8:19 AM
Quote
This is an interesting one to think about. Its true there are little ways where we take from others or lack generosity. For example, giving too little tip to a waitperson.
At my work we recently had some people come and clean some apartments. When we go for the lowest bid, those workers are probably making 6$ an hour. Is that good business sense or is it taking part in the exploitation of labor?
Recently, I try to be aware of when I’m “trying to get something from someone” in an interaction. For example, seeking approval could be an attempt to get something. So, when I’ve noticed I’m doing this I try to shift the focus from myself and think, Is there something I can do for this person? Or, how can I be present for this person?
#2 by Chris Lemig on July 7, 2010 - 2:37 PM
Quote
Hear, hear on the tipping analogy! (Just kidding: tip as you feel appropriate, although it is a wonderful opportunity to practice generosity.)
For years as a server I had engaged in the common practice of underclaiming my tips. Oh what a fight my ego put up (and continues to) when I realized that I had been violating two of the five precepts almost every day for so long.
“But it’s not really stealing…” my ego would say. “It’s just a little fib,” or “The government’s just going to use my tax dollars to fight dubious wars overseas anyway,” or my personal favorite, “But I’m going to use the extra money I get back on my pay check for Dharma stuff.” Oh little ego have you no shame?
As I’ve looked at all of this over the past few years I realize that even these apparently harmless little acts are actually the very things that keep me stuck here in samsara. I am constantly looking for ways to put that illusory ME before everyone else. I want that little edge, that buffer of comfort to grow just a little bit more, then a little bit more. As a result I continually reinforce and validate this delude belief in the Self.
Anyway, I am getting at least a little better at all of that…all I can do is to continue to strive to be mindful, to continue to watch out for the rationalizing Self that thinks he’s at the center of the universe, who thinks his needs are greater than the rest of the world’s.
That reminds me: I have to head back to work to adjust my tip claim for last night…
#3 by Sarah on July 7, 2010 - 5:31 PM
Quote
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/24174643/detail.html
Here’s an interesting idea! Two local restaurants, and I know of a third to be opened, that are pay – as – you – like/ are able…
#4 by Clotilde Wright on July 8, 2010 - 7:28 AM
Quote
That’s great Sarah, I’m sure the people who pay more help the folks who need to pay less or not at all.
#5 by Chris E. on July 8, 2010 - 11:38 AM
Quote
This topic is huge. As one with a background in complex systems analysis, this one *literally* makes me dizzy. Trying to find an entry point to even start discussing this is tough. Is my desire to drive taking things that are not given by adding to global warming, which is expected to reduce global food production by 10 percent for every degree of warming? Did I take livelihood from the workers who made my inexpensive jeans? Would NOT buying the jeans take even more from the workers? Should I look for work in a traditional corporation, an organization often based on exploitation, the very definition of taking things that aren’t given? How about a non-profit? In running a non-profit, most choices must be made on price, which contributes to labor exploitation. The idea of theft is completely foreign to me, but it began to occur to me years ago that life in the west is built on the taking of things that don’t belong to us, but for most of us the intention to take isn’t there. However, having seen the results of this unintentional taking (rescued Vietnamese industrial slaves in Taiwan, rescued sex slaves in Taiwan and Thailand), it strikes me that ignorance is the issue. How many of us understand the contributing factors to the products we buy?
So, this topic really is dizzying in its scope.
#6 by Clotilde Wright on July 8, 2010 - 7:03 PM
Quote
You’ve done a good job of pointing out how complicated this issue is.
In terms of non-profits exploiting labor, I had an interesting conversation with the director of the non-profit I work for. The company has 250 employees and is known for being a good place to work in terms of benefits and compensation (relative to other non-profits). And the company is financially sound (unlike many non-profits). The Director teaches non-profit management and he said the biggest reason that non-profits struggle and fail is that they’ll do anything for the people they serve but they treat their employees like crap. Its high turn over and a lack of attention to company culture he says that creates the non-profit struggle.
I thought that was so interesting, that sometimes the actions that help are counter-intuitive. I’m grateful when people who can think outside the box.
#7 by Yontan on July 10, 2010 - 7:40 PM
Quote
How do we engage in commerce “trade and commerce” without “piling up endless harmful actions?” It’s really a question of Right Livelihood, isn’t it?
As Allison alluded, intention is everything. If you engage in business for worldly gain, then it all goes to hell. If your prosperity and financial success is tied to a desire to sustain the sangha and spread dharma activity, it’s a different story. How much of one’s income should go toward dharma versus personal comfort is a gray area, and each of us has to be honest inside and “of the two witnesses hold the principal one.”
In general, regarding not taking what is not given, I think mandala offering helps me a lot with this. When one has truly begun to dig into selfishness and offer everything (EVERYTHING) to the guru and lineage, the sense of poverty and need diminish, and it becomes easier to cut through the urge to “have.” And for ourselves, ostensibly training to be bodhisattvas, the practice of perfect generosity allows us to “hoard” the gift of giving, to find ways to fulfill others’ needs without them resorting to taking wrongfully.
#8 by WP Themes on July 25, 2010 - 3:33 PM
Quote
Nice fill someone in on and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you for your information.
#9 by Clotilde Wright on July 25, 2010 - 3:48 PM
Quote
Thanks Yontan for taking the discussion to the level of meditation. Its a reminder that through intention our meditation practice can be an act of generosity.