I am working on a conference paper on the Buddhist<\/a> practice of Metta Bhavana<\/span>, the Cultivation of Loving Kindness. One of the stanzas there is:<\/p>\n M\u0101t\u0101 yath\u0101 niya\u1e43 puttha\u1e43 Which is well translated as<\/a>:<\/p>\n Even as a mother protects with her life Practically all of us have had difficulties with our mothers at some point. But the underlying fact of the enormous hardship she went through to make US a possibility is worth calling to mind. How much would you have to do for another person to equal the time and care and suffering invested in you by your mother? <\/p>\n The following came to me the other day from Bhikkhu Samahita (you can sign up for his daily dhamma and read past emails here<\/a>).<\/p>\n Appropriate Appreciation is Gratitude!<\/span><\/p>\n One should be grateful <\/span>towards one\u2019s Parents<\/span>! Why so? One should be grateful <\/span>towards one\u2019s Teachers<\/span>! Why so? One should be grateful <\/span>towards one\u2019s Friends<\/span>! Why so? One should be grateful <\/span>towards one\u2019s Spouse<\/span>! Why so? Your job is to reflect on each of these (or add more categories) and how each has contributed to and altered the flow of your life. Remember, there is no YOU separate from these and other parts of the world out there. All of them are<\/span> you, and you are nothing more.<\/p>\n As for me<\/span>, here goes:<\/p>\n My mother, too, has invested herself greatly in her family. Her own family was a bit screwed up, so early on she made the conscious decision to distance herself from them and their drama. She worked her way through a Masters in Social Work, dedicated to healing the wounds in children who had it even worse off than herself.<\/span> She has taught me to trust in love and seek the heart of each person I meet, beyond whatever wounds may lie at the surface.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n In college, where I\u2019ve now spent about half of my life, there are again too many to name. Certainly all of my Buddhism<\/a> teachers: Dr. Sponberg, Bodhipaksa (UM), Profs. Williams, Langer, Gethin, and Peacock (U Bristol), and Dr. Keown at London. Just looking at that list, I realize that I should <\/span>know<\/span> a lot more than I do at present; a good reminder to re-double my academic efforts<\/span>. Philosophical teachers: Drs. Elliott, Townsend, Borgmann, Appelbaum, McGlynn, Slicer, Sherman, Preston, (all UM) and now Caygill (U London).<\/p>\n \u2018Spiritual\u2019 or Life teachers have also been countless. Ken Robinson<\/a> in Bristol and Larry McKay here in Missoula stand out there. Matthew Flickstein<\/a> is the closest I\u2019ve come to a direct Buddhist teacher.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Few are the people But those who practice Dhamma Forsaking dark practices,
\u0100yus\u0101 ekaputtam anurakkha,
ewam pi sabbabh\u016btesu
m\u0101nasam bh\u0101vaye aparim\u0101\u1e47a\u1e43.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings; <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
They have worked hard and very long raising one into being!<\/p>\n
They do much to make one learn and understand the good\u2026<\/p>\n
They have shown one an open kindness and much goodwill!<\/p>\n
They have loyally accompanied one along a long way\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
\n
who reach the Far Shore.
These others
simply scurry
along this shore. <\/p>\n
in line with the well-taught Dhamma,
will cross over the realm of Death
so hard to transcend. <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
the wise person
should develop the bright,
having gone from home
to no-home
in seclusion, so hard to enjoy. <\/p>\n
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