A Bodhisattva’s perspective on social relations
Kyosei Kempinsky, Rev.
This has been a turbulent period in our history and there have been extraordinary changes in 2016 and 2017. We are all affected in how we engage or don’t engage in the society in which we live.
Our interactions with everyone and everything are very important indeed and we are responsible for them, whether beneficial or harmful. The other day I came across Great Master Dōgen’s chapter on Bodaisatta-Shishobo translated as Four Elements of a Bodhisattva’s Social Relations.
The four elements are free giving, kind speech, helpful conduct and cooperation. When we practice any of the four elements they all intermingle with each other. Through our effort these can manifest—not in a big way but in small ways in our daily life.
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