Bad Buddhist vs. The Seventh Precept

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091479631621288656.post-63575396262213062382007-09-08T11:09:00.000-07:002008-01-05T23:01:27.752-08:002008-01-05T23:01:27.752-08:00Bad Buddhist vs. The Seventh Precept<a href="http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/precepts.html">I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime.</a> <table valign="top" border="0" cellpadding="15" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="60%">Wow. No grotesque mime? Count me out. Another version of this precept reads: <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khantipalo/wheel206.html#atthasila">"to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, smartening with perfumes and beautifying with cosmetics."</a> This is one of the "optional three" precepts for lay Buddhists. In the Buddha's time, his bikkhus (students) focused on recitation and teaching of the Dhamma on <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khantipalo/wheel206.html#visakha">Uposatha</a> (new moon and full moon) days. Today some lay Buddhists also observe Uposatha as days for temporary renunciation: <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khantipalo/wheel206.html#uposatha">...the Buddha speaks of a noble disciple reflecting: By undertaking the Uposatha with its eight precepts for a day and a night I renounce the way of common men and live as the arahants do for all their lives, compassionate, pure and wise. So the Right Precepts are really a test of how far one can discipline oneself. That means really, to what extent do wholesome states of mind consonant with Dhamma-practice predominate in one's character over unwholesome desires built on greed, aversion and delusion? The practice of the Eight Precepts gives one a chance to find out about this. And this is an investigation which one can make four times a month if one wishes.</a> Actually, I like the idea of that a lot. Maybe because I know I'm a bad enough Buddhist that I couldn't hack full-time abstinence. But I'm certain that a trial-sized dose on a regular basis would teach me something. What, though? I really don't mean that flippantly. I'm curious about the intended goal of this precept, and what specific effects it is expected to have on a person. On one level, it's obvious (but here's an explanation anyway): <a href="http://web.singnet.com.sg/%7Ealankhoo/Precepts.htm">...the lay Buddhist refrains from enjoying songs, dances, music and shows during this period of observance so that he will not be distracted by sensual pleasures that may give rise to unwholesome thoughts. At the same time, by refraining from the use of ornaments, perfumes and cosmetics, he becomes more aware that physical beauty is impermanent and that one should not be vain.</a> For me, this highlights the difference between what I know (i.e., I know that fun and good times are fleeting, and that beauty is also impermanent) and what I practice (going out to dance and hear music, applying all manner of creams and pastes and goo to my face all the time). My question is: Does my behavior indicate that I don't really understand the reality? Or that I don't fully believe it? Or that I care less about the reality than I do about the temporary enjoyment I get out of the behavior? And the next question is: Will the practice of refraining from entertainment and vanity actually increase my understanding, cement my belief, or reduce my pleasure (and hence my attachment)? Or will I just get really dull? And wrinkly? Well, obviously I'm going to get wrinkly anyway; all I can do is slow down the process somewhat. And I'm OK with that. I love my <a href="http://www.hydropeptide.com/">peptide serum</a>. Peptides are my friend. But I'm intrigued about what might happen if I commit to observing the Uposatha days. Since they're determined by the lunar calendar, I won't have any control over when they happen; what if one falls on a day when my <a href="http://www.youngmoderns.com/">boyfriend's band</a> is playing? Or <a href="http://www.youreallygotminks.com/home.html">my own band</a> — does practice count? What if it falls on a long work day and I can't wear any lotion or makeup and I look really haggard and scary and my students figure out I'm not their age? I suppose that's where practice comes in. You don't know until you do it. You can think you know, you can guess what it would be like, but it isn't going to really sink in until you walk all the way through the experience. So really it would be best for me if Uposatha days did happen at inconvenient, challenging times — otherwise I won't really get it. Oh, crap, I can't believe I just said that. I think I just cursed myself; now all the Uposatha days will fall when I have plans! I should probably just kiss my <a href="http://www.tedleo.com/news.php">Ted Leo and the Pharmacists</a> tickets goodbye. Maybe this was a BAD IDEA. Definitely not giving up my peptides, either. Stupid Uposatha. Oops. What I meant was: <a href="http://links.net/vita/swat/course/interbeing/7.html">"Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you. Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness."</a> Seriously, that's what I meant. </td><td align="right" valign="top" width="40%"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/mdrennan/footloose.jpg" />Bikkhus, undertake the precept to abstain from grotesque mime, for it may lead to <a href="http://www.vitia.org/pictures/footloose.jpg">DANCING</a>! <img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/mdrennan/lithgow.jpg" />But if I give up entertainments and smartening perfumes and pretty shoes (OK, the precept doesn't ban shoes, but I have a feeling they count) will I end up looking like <a href="http://www.fast-rewind.com/footlse3.jpg">Reverend Moore</a>? <img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/mdrennan/peptideserum.jpg" />Thank Buddha for <a href="http://reviews.bodybuildingforyou.com/Images/1800patches/oht-peptide-3.jpg">peptides</a>! And you, I see you smirking. Just wait until your eyelids start turning into crepe paper. <img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/mdrennan/fryeoxfords.jpg" />What do you think? I have to get <a href="http://www.shoes.com/productimages/shoes_iaec1019233.jpg">these</a>, right? </td></tr></tbody></table><table valign="top" border="0" cellpadding="5" width="55%"><tbody><tr><td align="left" width="45%"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/DiaryOfABadBuddhist" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/QcvG" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">SUBSCRIBE</a></td><td align="right" width="50%"><a href="http://www2.blogger.com/profile/03935544884606178084">VIEW MY PROFILE</a></td><td align="left" width="5%"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer">button button</div>Marie Drennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03935544884606178084noreply@blogger.com3