09-30-2014, 12:46 AM
There is a Buddhist idea I have always found to express how I feel about this.
The situation is the idea of a monk whom is offered a meal as a gift of appreciation. However the meal being served consists of pork. The Buddha would say that it is better to be grateful and appreciative of the meal, gracious towards those who have offered the gift, as that is more beneficial and of service than to "sit on one's principles". Thus to eat the meal is to accept the love offered.
Isn't it also self-serving to be so attached to one's principles that the good intentions of others are ignored for the sake of one's own comfort?
Also, I could have sworn service to others is about acceptance, not about whether or not one is by definition compassionate.
The situation is the idea of a monk whom is offered a meal as a gift of appreciation. However the meal being served consists of pork. The Buddha would say that it is better to be grateful and appreciative of the meal, gracious towards those who have offered the gift, as that is more beneficial and of service than to "sit on one's principles". Thus to eat the meal is to accept the love offered.
Isn't it also self-serving to be so attached to one's principles that the good intentions of others are ignored for the sake of one's own comfort?
Also, I could have sworn service to others is about acceptance, not about whether or not one is by definition compassionate.