{"id":253,"date":"2009-12-11T07:09:00","date_gmt":"2009-12-11T07:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/americanbuddhist\/2009\/12\/what-unites-us\/"},"modified":"2009-12-11T07:09:00","modified_gmt":"2009-12-11T07:09:00","slug":"what-unites-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/americanbuddhist\/2009\/12\/what-unites-us.html","title":{"rendered":"What Unites Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u201cWhat unites us is much greater<\/span> than what separates us\u2026. It is necessary \u2026 to rid ourselves of stereotypes, of old habits. And above all, it is necessary to recognize the unity that already exists.\u201d \u2013 Pope John Paul II<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What unites us in <\/span>samsara<\/span> is our basic nature as beings, caught in ignorance, causing suffering both to ourselves and others.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sabbe tasanti da.ndassa \u2013 sabbe bhaayanti maccuno;<\/span>
Attaana.m upama.m katvaa \u2013 na haneyya na ghaataye.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

All [beings] fear the stick\/rod, and all fear death.
Having made an example of yourself, do not kill nor cause to be killed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sabbe tasanti da.ndassa \u2013 sabbesa.m jiivita.m piya.m;<\/span>
Attaana.m upama.m katvaa \u2013 na haneyya na ghaataye.<\/span><\/p>\n

All [beings] fear the stick\/rod, to all life is dear.
Having made an example of yourself, do not kill nor cause to be killed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(Dhp. 10:129-130 \u2013 translations thanks to Bhikkhu Bodhi and students<\/a> with some amendments by yours truly)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a>Watching this brief slideshow, I see many faces, many styles of clothing, hair, etc, that are unlike mine. There are:<\/p>\n