First Rule of Life

     I had the great privilege of studying with the Dalai Lama a number of years ago.  I was just one of probably 200 students, but when he spoke I felt like I was the only person in the room. He was talking to me.  During that time I learned that Buddhism is actually 99% philosophy/psychology of life and 1% religion.  I must admit that if I were to be forced to declare a religion I would probably say that I am 99% Buddhist. Forget the religion. Philosophically I'm an ontological naturalist and existentialist.  It is the philosophy, psychology and spirituality of Buddhism that usually draws a person to it.  The first Rule of Life - classic Buddhism loves lists - is that we do good to all sentient beings and if we can not do good, do no harm.  I don't care how many marvelous, powerful, inspirational, insightful things Buddha or the Dalai Lama might have said, if I got nothing else out of Buddhism this was worth the effort. 

     Like everyone else, for many years I used the word 'hate' totally inappropriately.  I have spent so many years trying not to use the word that it now grates on my nerves to hear someone say "I hate that".  Children will say "I hate spinach".  They don't really hate spinach. They may dislike its taste and have never tasted a truly great spinach calzone but they don't hate spinach.  For some time we have used the word 'hate' to describe a really strong dislike.  Having fallen into this myself, it has come back to bite me despite my efforts at not using the word.  I haven't said "I hate..." for quite a number of years but not too long ago one of my children reminded me that I had said that I hated some politician.  They were correct to remind me but it wasn't hatred. The sad thing is that they have never noticed that I haven't used the word 'hate' to describe my feelings toward anyone or anything for well over a decade.  

     Now, there are those who would disagree that helping others is our primary purpose in this life.  Capitalist would say that our primary purpose in life is to make a profit.  If you look at our ever more capitalistic society you will notice that there seems to be less and less room for compassion and helping others.  For example, the federal government gave North Carolina less than 1% of what they asked for help to recover from Hurricane Matthew. This administration has repeated this type of behavior throughout the pandemic, using threat, bullying and withholding of critical medical supplies to force people to do what they want even if the people feel it is wrong. Almost every day our Congress looks for ways to take money from programs that help people so that they can pay for tax breaks for their enormously wealthy friends who paid to get them elected.  Such people find no value in the First Rule of Life because they find no value in helping other people. They seem to believe that only they are important and the medieval ex regula just divinum  - ruling by divine right. I do think that's one of the things to which we objected in our Declaration of Independence.  But I'm getting off on a tangent.  However, the tangent itself is an excellent example of applying the First Rule of Life.

     The First Rule of Life does not restrict us. It frees us.  It makes no demands of us.  It doesn't say that you must like or love the other, but if you can't do good to them, just try not to hurt them.  This is actually the foundation for most of the modern martial arts.  Many of the major defensive arts were developed by Buddhist monks who might be called upon to defend themselves or others.  The martial arts are designed to be non-lethal. The First Rule of Life actually protects us. We are not expected to retaliate or seek vengeance as you find in the three Abrahamic religions.  

     If you are one who has natural compassion and empathy toward others, you are probably wondering why I am making such a big deal about the First Rule. It makes sense to you. Sadly, it doesn't make sense to a large percentage of our society who follow a man who preaches, promotes and instigates hatred, bigotry, racism and violence. Consequently we have a significant shortage of compassion and equity.