The Process of Engendering Responsibility

Meditation

Meditation for Beginners

 

The Process of Engendering Responsibility

 

 

Responsibility

 

 

The problem is that no person is a perfect exemplar of all the qualities of a True Friend. It is therefore necessary to have tactical friendship starting with those around us, to maximize the amount of goodness exchanged. Realizing that responsibility and the instilling of responsibility are the key factors in society, the question arises how responsibility and core values can be engendered. Responsibility was never a virtue to arise by accident-and this is only too true of the sorts of responsibility already mentioned-responsibility for the human dignity of ourselves or others, responsibility for ethical economics for ourselves or others or responsibility for personal or social peace. Responsibility can only arise in a person as the result of intentional and extended cultivation and training.

 

In order to facilitate the flow of our own virtues towards others and in order to instill ourselves with the virtues of others too, quickly, thoroughly and efficiently, the Buddha distinguished six sub-groups of those in society who are our closest companions (in the cycle of existence: birth, old-age, sickness and death)-using the differences between the nature of the relationships to create a principle called the nature of the relationships to create a principle called the ‘Six Directions’ [disa] which indicate how a dutiful householder can best maximise their core values through the medium of the relationship they have with different sectors of society:

 

 

the relationships we have with others as a result of bringing us into the world i.e. our parents

 

 

Group One: the relationships we have with others as a result of bringing us into the world i.e. our parents;

 

Group Two: the relationships we have with others as a result of their giving us education and training i.e. our teachers;

 

Group Three: the relationships we have with others as a result of marrying them i.e. our spouse;

 

Group Four: the relationships we have with others as a result of friendship i.e. our friends-but this also extends to more distant acquaintances whose decisions affect our lives and resources-such as Members of Parliament or civil servants;

 

Group Five: the relationships we have with others as a result of earning our living or as a result of being an employer i.e. our employees and servants;

 

Group Six: the relationships we have with others as a result of our spiritual vocation i.e. our spiritual mentors, monks or priests.

 

Meditation - Related Articles

What is meditation?

7 Bases of mind 

How many kinds of meditation are there?

The Right Concentration

The False Concentration 

How to Meditate 

A Meditation Guide

Learning Meditation

Basic Meditation Method 

Meditation is not difficult 

Dhammakaya Temple  

Meditation Retreat