Human Beings, Feeling Beings

Let us cease from wrath, and refrain from angry looks. Nor let us be resentful when others differ from us. For all beings have hearts, and each heart has its own leanings. Their right is our wrong, and our right is their wrong. We are not unquestionably sages, nor are they unquestionably fools. We are both simply ordinary beings. How can anyone lay down a rule by which to distinguish right from wrong? For we are all, one with another, wise and foolish, like a ring which has no end.

- Shotoku Taishi

a diverse group of people standing side by side, arms wrapped around each other in a gesture of unity and support

Have you ever noticed how many ways we have for categorizing people? Race, gender, religion, political affiliation, and so on. We’ve done a great job dividing ourselves into different groups, but we often overlook the fact we are all part of one big group.

We are all human.

In scientific terms we are called Homo sapiens. Homo coming from the Greek word homos, meaning the same. Our scientific name literally has "the same” in the title. We share many traits across our species including the fact we all have feelings. We all experience the same range of emotions albeit to different things.

As the quote at the top suggests, what one person finds delightful, another may see as disgusting. We use these differences to dividing ourselves into groups. For example, we could start a debate around whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza. Some will say yum and others will say yuck. So, what do we do in a climate where people are so divided? We can make a vow to not yuck someone else’s yum. We can find this same idea in the Buddhist teachings.

Bodhisattva Dharmākara, who became Amida Buddha, made a pledge to make all residents of the Pure Land “be the color of genuine gold.” We can interpret this in many ways. In this case, gold doesn’t literally mean the color gold. Gold is precious and therefore signifies that everyone shines as a precious existence in the Pure Land. Other interpretations say Amida Buddha’s 3rd Vow is the wish to liberate all beings from suffering regardless of race, color, etc. No matter how we look at this vow, there is a common theme that we are all equal and we are all precious.

With this idea of precious and equal in mind, I’d like to invite you to join me in a little challenge this week. Before we respond to someone, let’s remind ourselves they are a feeling being. Whether it’s face to face, in a text, post, or any other form of communication, just say “feeling being” in your head before responding. In the words of Bodhipaksa, “let this phrase – feeling being – be an empathetic reminder of others’ feelings. Their joys and their sorrows are as vivid and real to them as ours are to us.” As we go about this practice, let’s notice how this small pause of saying “feeling being” affects our attitudes and behaviors. Let’s look for the things that unit us and bring us together rather than divide us into different groups. Together we can bridge the gaps that have divided us and come together as one group of feeling beings.