Polishing the brass on the Titanic

Discuss the application of the Dharma to situations of social, political, environmental and economic suffering and injustice.
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Dharmasherab
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Polishing the brass on the Titanic

Post by Dharmasherab »

The RMS Titanic was one of the greatest passenger liners of all time. It was an engineering masterpiece. The functions and features that it had were ahead of its time. But that did not stop her from sinking in the Atlantic on her maiden voyage. No matter how well it catered to the luxurious standards of the rich and famous, it didn’t account for anything given her final outcome. When the sinking of the Titanic was found to be inevitable, evacuation procedures were taken with immediate effect yet most passengers did not survive. We can’t really speak for those who accepted their fate, but it is not unreasonable to say that there comes a point when you give up in life and accept whatever that is coming to you. During such a time it didn’t really make a difference as to whether the ship that they were in had curvy staircases or chandeliers of sparkling elegance. Any sane person in such a situation would not waste their time arguing as to whether the restrooms should have had more comfortable toilet seats or whether the cutlery should have been made from silver instead of steel.

Our Samsara is also like this Titanic; it will only be going down. No matter whatever the efforts we put to make a better Samsara, they are all impermanent and unsatisfactory. We can come up with ways to make the lives of people better and say which ways are better than others. Some of us may even get into debates and arguments as to how to make the world free suffering by using worldly ways. But no matter what, this Samsara we are in will only be going down the drain along with everything that's in it. It is time we realized that this is what is truly happening.

This is why we should never be arrogant and self-righteous about our opinions about what is best for others. We may have our views about social justice, about how those who are underprivileged should be treated such as the homeless, single mothers and refugees. We may have disagreements whether our politicians should support state-funded facilities with welfare for the community or not. No matter what the views we have in terms of making a better community, we need to realize their limitations. It is to understand that all these samsaric problems, as well as the samsaric solutions we come up with, are all results of causes and conditions. All things which are conditioned are impermanent therefore neither the samsaric problems nor the samsaric solutions are permanent.

This is not to say to say that we should avoid helping each other in worldly ways. Of course, it is important to help the poor, to provide shelter for refugees, to give better welfare for single mothers etc. But we should never think that any of these solutions are ideal and perfect. Hence we should never judge those who have different views from the way we look at how society should be shaped. Some misguided individuals may even say that we shouldn't sit on our cushions and do meditation whiles there are so many problems happening in the world. Actually doing one’s practice is the greatest expression of compassion noticing that this Enlightenment is the only thing which will liberate all beings from Samsara and that all other forms of solutions outside of the Dharma, despite having some effect for a short time, they are all impermanent, unsatisfactory and insubstantial.

When you realize that the Dharma is not for a better Samsara then you become more humble and respect the opinions and views of others. Because in the grand scheme of things our practice to transcend this Samsara is what truly matters. Providing welfare and shelter to the underprivileged may give them some temporary benefit from their suffering, but it is not going to make them Enlightened either. Therefore whenever you are doing your practice of meditation or reading Buddhist texts always think that this is the greatest form of compassion you give towards all beings. We may engage in helping others outside our sittings and study, but we should not settle for that either. We should never take pride in our view as to what is best for others because as deluded beings we look at the world through the lenses of delusion.

Contemplate that we are all in this sinking Titanic of Samsara. The danger of being on a sinking ship is that we will drown and die if we don’t take the effort to do what is right. All those nice brass ornaments in the Titanic did not make a difference to those who faced their fate as well as those who survived. Because when you taste the freedom of Nirvana then whatever that Samsara went down with does not matter anymore.

Don't waste your time trying to polish the brass on the sinking Titanic. Try to escape while you can. Be good to others but don't waste time trying to make a better Samsara. Never forget that the Dharma is not a for a better Samsara.
“When one does not understand death, life can be very confusing.” - Ajahn Chah
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Konchog Thogme Jampa
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Re: Polishing the brass on the Titanic

Post by Konchog Thogme Jampa »

This point is covered by Ngondro
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FiveSkandhas
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Re: Polishing the brass on the Titanic

Post by FiveSkandhas »

Dharmasherab wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 5:23 pm
Never forget that the Dharma is not a for a better Samsara.
True and a point worth making.

However as Mahayana Buddhists we should remember that the Dharma is for the liberation of all beings, and that we exercise wisdom and compassion for their sake within Samsara.
"One should cultivate contemplation in one’s foibles. The foibles are like fish, and contemplation is like fishing hooks. If there are no fish, then the fishing hooks have no use. The bigger the fish is, the better the result we will get. As long as the fishing hooks keep at it, all foibles will eventually be contained and controlled at will." -Zhiyi

"Just be kind." -Atisha
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Kim O'Hara
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Re: Polishing the brass on the Titanic

Post by Kim O'Hara »

:good:

:namaste:
Kim
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