by Gil Fronsdal
An ancient Buddhist myth describes how a society can devolve into widespread violence when rulers do not provide those experiencing poverty with a way to make a living. While violence originates in the rulers’ neglect, the restoration of the ravaged society does not come from them; rather, it begins when a small group of people withdraw into remote forests and mountains to live an uncompromisingly ethical life.
This is a life of non-harming, which abstains from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, divisive speech, harsh speech, coveting what others have, ill-will, and unethical beliefs. The myth describes how this set of non-harming practices brings peace and social concord for all. In contrast, violence spreads violence.
In the myth, those who move to the forests and mountains do so when the ferocity of violence and hatred reaches the point that concepts of “ethics” no longer exist. It is a time when people see each other as beasts to be killed. In contrast, those who live ethically in the wilderness grow in respect for each other and, over time, develop new and prosperous societies where everyone lives together peacefully. Through this story, we see that in contrast to treating others as less than human, the Buddha values respecting others and never disparaging them. We respect those who are poor by supporting them out of poverty.
Perhaps one original purpose of the myth was to encourage the rulers of the Buddha’s time to care for people experiencing poverty. Another purpose may have been to encourage everyone to be ethical. We are not helpless in the face of social strife, misguided rulers, and violence; everyone can contribute to restore social harmony by being devoted to non-harming. Non-harming is a powerful and underappreciated social force that can initiate peace in a way violence cannot. Being ethical contributes to social wellbeing whereas violence and divisiveness undermine it.
Non-harming also contributes to our inner prosperity, i.e., the growth of a healthy emotional life. While the myth focuses on ethics, the Buddha’s teaching that frames his telling of the myth emphasizes how mindfulness creates a personal refuge and brings us back to our “ancestral homeland and pastures.”
Mindfulness is a refuge when it protects us from greed and distress. It is also a refuge when it helps us recognize the value of ethics. Being unethical puts us in danger. Being ethical in thoughtful, wise ways promotes safety.
When mindfulness is well established it becomes a return to our “ancestral homeland and pastures.” The Buddha says that inner states of beauty, happiness, wealth, and strength can develop when we are at home with ourselves. The pasture of mindfulness is where these inner states nurture a non-harming life.
For the Buddha, we become beautiful when we live ethically. We become happy when our minds experience peace through concentrated, undistracted states of awareness. We become wealthy when our minds are filled with lovingkindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity. And we become strong when our minds are liberated from greed, hatred, and delusion, the three roots of the violence that weaken the bonds of community and respect needed for social harmony.
Interpreting the myth metaphorically, we are all the “rulers” of our personal world, and we are all, at times, poor and in need of the ruler’s support. By giving ourselves time for spiritual practice, we help ourselves out of inner poverty. Instead of retreating into a remote wilderness, in contemporary times, we might attend a meditation retreat, which is an invaluable opportunity for nourishing mindfulness and a non-harming lifestyle.
So that our interpersonal relationships do not strain with antagonistic conflict, it is essential to be ethical and respectful. So that our inner life doesn’t become impoverished, mindfulness practice allows us to feed on our metaphoric pastures of inner beauty, happiness, wealth, and strength.
Living ethically and being devoted to non-harming while living alone in the wilderness is relatively easy. Remaining ethical in our family, and with societal and political challenges takes much strength. Mindfulness practice can give us this strength by showing us our reactions and impulses before acting on them. Mindfulness gives us pause to recognize what are and are not harmful impulses. It gives us time to consider what we can do that is beneficial for everyone. Mindfulness provides room for friendliness and care for others.
It is through non-harming that we contribute to the restoration of our world.
—Essay based on the discourse called The Lion’s Roar for a Wheel-Turning Monarch (Long Discourse #26)