2nd Precept - Do Not Steal

[@gracefoster4861]

Also, thanks for the link to the "Evolution of the Precepts" PDF

[@HardcoreZen]

You're welcome. Enjoy!

[@lorenacharlotte8383]

Cute T-shirt.

[@ricklanders]

I like how this talk wove in the idea of generosity, as it's really the flip-side of stealing. What's important, as you rightly discuss, is the consideration of the ideas of self, ownership, etc. behind the principles, reminding ourselves of the fact of anatta, the illusion of self vs. other, and so on. Another way to think of it might be that when we're generous, we're really giving to our future selves, as it creates very good karma for us. And, conversely, when we take what isn't given, we're really just stealing from our own future well-being and happiness.

[@Tsotha]

The "Not to sound like a guy who'd wear a T-shirt like this..." line always cracks me up!

[@Fakery]

Do Not Steal. Do not be deceived by others. Stealing implies others; _the concept of others_ is the flaw! There is no one to steal from, and no one to receive! I very much like this interpretation, thanks for sharing :)

[@lorenacharlotte8383]

Fakery : You’ve got it wrong. You’ve have forgotten to take into account the Historic Dimension in which we live under a human form. Self and nonself inter-are.

[@lorenacharlotte8383]

Fakery : The Historic Dimension applies to all forms : Earth, planets, stars...

[@gracefoster4861]

Wonderful. I like the last one, very nice. N othing to lose because we already are part of everything, everyone. Nothing to steal same reason.

[@andrewkryzak84]

This fits me well. Thank You. Truly.

[@akactors]

Practice true heart emptiness. Wondrous space of dharma life -- ungraspable with five or six senses Together floating toward the other side -- of suffering -- where fulfillment resides. The suffering we touch, we see, we share as one builds an ark Two by one crossing the river.

[@benhorner8430]

It's a beautiful thought. :) It would be great if everyone thought it was impossible to steal. When I was a kid, I used to think it would be great if everyone just took care of everyone else, then no one would have to take care of themselves. :)

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

Difficult to embrace. i've had 4 bikes and recently both tires on a mountain bike stolen from me in last 8 years. Its challenging to not be angry. I havent unlocked the "everything belongs to the universe, not you" achievement yet .I'm still stuck on "this thing is mine bc i paid for it at a store, not you fucker" idea, and its hard to forgive people for their ignorance. But i realize forgiveness is important so I can be free, so its a constant practice. Namaste & aloha...

[@HardcoreZen]

Yeah. I get that. Every bike I've owned has been stolen. I currently don't own one for that reason. It does make me angry. People who steal bicycles are ultimately fools because they gain nothing in the end. They just cause themselves pain and sorrow by stealing.

[@willywilly6970]

Bike locks.

[@HardcoreZen]

@@willywilly6970 I had a Kryptonite lock on my last bike. They cut the iron rail that the lock was attached to and stole both the bike and the lock.

[@ghostcat5303]

Would this precept then be a variation on impermanence?

[@HardcoreZen]

In some sense they all are. So yes!

[@Tsotha]

@@HardcoreZen That is something I am realising when re-watching your videos about the precepts to find insights in them which I might have missed the first time around: there is usually some more abstract and complex philosophical paradox hidden in even the more mundane sounding precepts; and solving each of those riddles and internalising them in your practical life is the key to following the precepts consistently. Incidentally, this is also how the Kabbalah's path of initiation functions: Each new Sephira (manifestation of the divine = power of the human mind) on the Tree of Life poses a new challenge that solving requires a new practical skillset to master. I suspect this is a result of the human brain's neurological structure shaping every religious system created by humans. The Danish occultist Erwin Neutzsky-Wulff pointed out in one of his non-fiction books about the history of Western occultism that the different Sephiroth correspond closely to the different components of the human brain's specialised functions. (can't remember which ones though, since it's so long ago I read it)

[@gunterappoldt3037]

A now and then hobby Buddhist says: The crazy wisdom of Zen ... is it sheer folly, is it none sense? A water-buffalo passes by the window, but his appearance remains incomplete. So with the precepts: iron, eternal rules in a fleeting world; subjects, who sometimes think, they don`t exist; a volatile pacific ocean ... What a holy mess! What a document! What, a document? PS: Prosed light, mere zaine zea!

[@benhorner8430]

I don't think mystical is a nasty word. It actually seems like the only hope. I just don't know how to connect with it. I'm not 100% on what it means really, I associate it with mysterious, and unknown, and have this impression that it is referring to things not part of the material world. I don't have any way to get in touch with the mystical. Though... I imagine I'm in touch with it all the time. I guess zazen is probably a tool for getting in touch with it, or at least to bring the mystical into balance with everything else. It feels lopsided because I have clear ways to engage with the material world. I do have patience, and as open a mind as I can manage, hopefully they are enough.

[@HardcoreZen]

Nishijima Roshi once criticized me for using the word mystical. But he also used it sometimes. So maybe it's not all bad!

[@bobbi2044]

this is why in soto zen , killing is not a crime. you can't kill someone that doesn't exist. and since they are the entire universe, they don't go anywhere. and since there is no differentiation between self and others, such as it's impossible to steal, cannibalism is ok too. great lecture brad! keep up the good work!

[@lorenacharlotte8383]

Bellatrix : Since you don’t exist, you can be abused, get beaten, torture to your almost death. After all you won’t feel a thing since you don’t exist.

[@bondye5929]

@@lorenacharlotte8383 i dont think thats how it works

[@HardcoreZen]

No. Killing is still a crime.

[@ricklanders]

You actually do exist, just not in the way you think you do. Not sure if your comment is intended satirically? If not it's pretty confusional.

[@lorenacharlotte8383]

Tolga Balcı : Taking sides between self or nonself is delusional. Self and nonself have to be in harmony in order to be in contact with reality.

[@reservordawg]

what about from large institutions? Aren't they bloated in nature?

[@HardcoreZen]

What about stealing from them? If you want to lead a good life, my advice would be don't do it.

[@CuddlyPsycho1134]

What are your thoughts on the modern exchange of information? Are you ok with someone sharing MP3s of your music or PDFs of your books online? (I imagine your publisher would prefer you not say so publicly)

[@HardcoreZen]

I've never made much money on music, so the prospect of people sharing MP3s of my stuff doesn't worry me a lot. But I do make a significant portion of my living from book sales, so people sharing PDFs of my books on-line worries me. I would prefer that they don't do that.

[@reservordawg]

When I try to go legit I get royally fucked.

[@reservordawg]

I have to wet my beak.

[@bondye5929]

You should give lessons to our government lol

[@036294916]

I was particularly interested by the extension of not stealing as not taking what is not given . It may apply that manipulation and bending another’s will might be stealing as well . Will appreciate your thoughts on the matter of using force as a way of taking what is not given....