Health And General Life Care: [ACWDYG ] Short Talks On Yoga and Buddhism Given In Cambodia – January 15th, 2008, Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison

[ACWDYG ] Short Talks On Yoga and Buddhism Given In Cambodia – January 15th, 2008, Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison - "We Are All Ignoble Men"

Sunday, 20 January 2008

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Short Talks On Yoga and Buddhism Given In Cambodia –
January 15th, 2008, Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison

We Are All Ignoble Men

If we as human beings, be we guards or prisoners,
teachers or students, doctors or nurses, businessmen
or street cleaners, or any of the other social and
life roles and jobs that we might find ourselves in
take some time to study and learn the Buddhist
teachings, we will gain a knowledge that enlightens us
and brings us as individuals a greater understanding
about both ourselves and others.

One of the words that we see and hear frequently in
the Buddhist teachings is the word "Noble". It is used
to refer to the Buddha's path to liberation, that
being The Noble Eightfold Path.

We also hear it used to refer to individual people who
have achieved a disciplined and wise mind.

The Buddhist specifically teaches us what the
characteristics of the Noble man are.

The Buddhist teachings also tell us what those
characteristics are of one who is ignoble. The ignoble
man is defined as being one who is shameless or not
worthy.

If we study what the characteristics are of one who is
ignoble are, we will find that we are all or can be
ignoble, some of us once in a while and many of us
every moment of every day.

One of the characteristics of the ignoble man is to
criticize other people or constantly look for faults
in others. Such an individual is not only ignoble but
also most likely not happy or at peace with him or
herself.

What can the self – esteem and focus be of someone who
spends some or much of their mental and physical
energy looking at and criticizing others?

What good does such an action do?

What benefit does such an activity bring to all?

What is achieved for anybody when we do such a thing?

Another characteristic of the ignoble man or woman is
to always say good things or boast about themselves.
They are good or the best while all others are somehow
inferior to them in some manner.

Such a person as expressed in the modern vernacular is
insecure and most likely living with fear and anxiety
in order to keep up his or her charade.

We are all ignoble from time to time, or have been
that way in the past.

The practice of Buddhism has and is making us noble.

We evolve from being ignoble to noble through our
practice.

Let's begin our session for today with a brief
meditation practice

Yours very sincerely and respectfully,

John

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