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**Wxrxnhar** · 11-30-2011, 04:29 PM

Freedom from suffering, in a very broad sense, may well be to free oneself from excessive and inappropriate desires but how does one convey this view to those on hugely divergent tangents?

For me the purpose of studying and practising the teachings of the Buddha is to ideally move towards having more clarity, wisdom and insight myself. This of course includes general kindness and consideration towards other beings. Practices such as 'metta' help with this attitude - and are therefore beneficial to oneself and to other beings we come into contact with.

Its pointless going on crusades trying to convert or 'save' others or tell them my opinions when not asked. First one removes ones own obscurations before developing the wisdom to see the delusion of others. Otherwise despite good intentions its "the blind leading the blind". In my own ignorance, what I might consider the'right' path for someone else, might just cause them more confusion in the future.

So I think its best to aim to be a good example of the teachings oneself - and be kind and help others in small unobtrusive ways if needed, rather than attempting to be one's own idea of a great bodhisattva, or impose one's views on others.

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11-30-2011, 04:29 PM	#7
Wxrxnhar Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 429 Senior Member	Freedom from suffering, in a very broad sense, may well be to free oneself from excessive and inappropriate desires but how does one convey this view to those on hugely divergent tangents? For me the purpose of studying and practising the teachings of the Buddha is to ideally move towards having more clarity, wisdom and insight myself. This of course includes general kindness and consideration towards other beings. Practices such as 'metta' help with this attitude - and are therefore beneficial to oneself and to other beings we come into contact with. Its pointless going on crusades trying to convert or 'save' others or tell them my opinions when not asked. First one removes ones own obscurations before developing the wisdom to see the delusion of others. Otherwise despite good intentions its "the blind leading the blind". In my own ignorance, what I might consider the'right' path for someone else, might just cause them more confusion in the future. So I think its best to aim to be a good example of the teachings oneself - and be kind and help others in small unobtrusive ways if needed, rather than attempting to be one's own idea of a great bodhisattva, or impose one's views on others. .
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