Taking Only What is Freely Given Teacher: David Silver
The Buddha taught the precepts, not as an arbitrary set of rules, but as a crucial part of a skillful path of freedom from suffering. Following the precepts, he taught, leads to sane and joyous living that binds all beings together by cultivating goodheartedness, compassion and restraint. Beginning January 10th, IMCC teachers will offer a 7 week series of Tuesday night talks on these five precepts, inviting us all to explore together the awareness and commitment that helps us to avoid causing harm as we cultivate safety and well-being for ourselves, our families and our communities.
In this series, we will investigate the meaning and practice of wise restraint throughout our lives: What is harmful speech and how might we more fully speak in wisdom, truth and compassion? How can we bear in mind the more subtle implications of the intention to refrain from killing—for example, refraining from actions that diminish others? What is compassionate or harmful in sexual relations? At a time when many of our planet’s natural resources are being exhausted, what does it mean to you to use only your fair share? On February 21, at the end of the series, several teachers will offer concluding remarks, inviting questions and comments from the community.