Two readings and reflections from Ratnaghosha for The East London Communty Organisation’s ‘Inspiring action’ book. Reflection from Ratnaghosha Chairman of the London Buddhist Centre and TELCO trustee This is a quotation from a talk given by my spiritual teacher the venerable Sangharakshita. This is something which I respond to very strongly, something I aspire to and something which is a source of inspiration to me. "Buddhism addresses itself to the individual human being regardless of race, nationality, caste, sex, or they age. This is one of the reasons why I am a Buddhist. I believe that humanity is basically one. I believe that it is possible for any human being to communicate with any other human being, to feel for any other human being, to befriend us with any other human being. This is what I truly and deeply believe. This belief is part of my own experience. It is part of my own life. It is part of me. I cannot live without this belief and I would rather die than give it up. To me, to live means to practise this belief therefore this belief is part of my religion. It has nothing to do with the way in which address, not in to do with what I call myself. It is a matter of the where am aware I exist. This is what religion really is. It is what you most truly and deeply believe. It is what you are prepared to die for. It is your life. It is what makes you what you are. It is what makes you behave in the way that you do. It is therefore a very important thing. In fact it is the most important thing." For me this belief in the inter-connectedness and inter-dependence of all humanity (and indeed all life) is what underpins my spiritual practice, my ethics and my political activity. I must be able to relate my activity in the world to this fundamental view of humankind in order to have a sense of meaning and purpose about what I do. Second reflection from Ratnaghosha. This is a section of a Buddhist scripture in which the Buddha pays a visit to three of his disciples. "The Buddha said: 'I hope that all of you are well, Anuruddha, that you are comfortable and that you have no trouble on account of alms food?' 'We are well, Blessed One, we are comfortable and we have no trouble on account of alms food. ' 'I hope that you're all living in concord, Anuruddha, as friendly and undisputing as milk with water, viewing each other with kindly eyes?' 'Surely we do so, Lord.' 'But Anuruddha, how do you live thus?' The venerable Anuruddha replied: 'Lord, as to that, I think that it is gain and good fortune for me here that I am living with such companions in the Holy Life. I maintain acts and words and thoughts of loving kindness towards these venerable ones both in public and in private. I think 'Why should I not set aside what I am minded to do and do only one they are minded to do?' and I act accordingly. We are different in body, Lord, but only one in mind, I think. The other two each said the same thing. They added: 'Lord that is how we live in concord as friendly and undisputing as milk and water, viewing each other but kindly eyes.' 'Good, good, Anuruddha. I hope you all dwell diligent, ardent and self-controlled? ' 'Surely we do, Lord'. 'But, Anuruddha, how do you dwell thus? ' 'Lord, as to that, whichever of us returns first from the village with alms food gets the seats ready, sets out the water for drinking and for washing and puts the refuse bucket in its place. Whichever of us returns last eats any food left over if he wishes; otherwise he throws it away where there is no green or drops it into water where there is no life. He puts away the seats and the water for drinking and for washing. He puts away the refuses bucket after washing it, and he sweeps out the refectory. Whoever notices that the pots of drinking water or washing water or water for the privy are low or empty sees to them. If any are too heavy for him, he beckons someone else by a sign of the hand and they move it by joining hands. We do not speak for that purpose. But every five days we sit out the night together in talk on the Truth. It is in this way that we dwell diligent ardent and self-controlled.' (quoted from The Life of the Buddha by Bhikku Nanamoli, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, 1978) I have always found this quite a moving little story of people living in harmony with each other and caring for their environment. It has often inspired me to try to be more harmonious in my own life, especially with those whom I am living with. It is also touching that the Buddha's disciples tried to do as little harm as possible to their natural environment. In our age of complexity and consumerism there is something very appealing about the simplicity and contentment of these ancients.
