To remember these wonderful,
wholesome ways
where really true happiness lies.
Wonderfully,
the Buddha begins
with wise friendship,
‘kalyana mittata’
which is very important on the path,
which he stresses quite often.
Paying attention to who
we are surrounding ourselves with–
not creating divisions
between the people–
but knowing
where wholesome friendship is,
and leaning towards this.
If someone would be
mistreating others,
gambling,
hurting, and lying…
the Buddha says, even if
we don’t do it ourselves,
it is like a snake
going through a pile of dung–
–the stink will get on you
even if you don’t do it yourself.
This is quite the simile…
(a snake going through the dung),
but,
this is what he compared it with,
and,
even if you don’t do
these actions yourself,
if you associate with such people
that do these things,
even if you don’t do it yourself–
this is the reputation you get.
This is not going to help you,
not going to help anyone
on their own path
to more happiness,
in helping others.
Virtue, helping and generosity
are for our own happiness
and for others,
because these things
are not separate.
We learn to move away
from unwise friendship,
and by doing so,
they get a very precious reflection
on what we are willing to live with
and what we consider wisdom.
Choosing goodness,
good actions,
good livelihood,
good speech,
respectful behaviour–
it is, in fact, “voting”.
Even if we think
it doesn’t have a big impact,
this is how it begins.
Then others get see
that we are able to stand
for what we believe
and see is good.
From our own wisdom
and knowledge,
holding the virtues,
for example,
not killing,
not stealing,
not lying,
is a good thing to do,
and it is helpful.
So,
it is good to stand strong
and firm in these things,
not to be shaken off
all the time.
Wise friendship will help us
fortify virtue,
fortify mental development,
get more established and stronger.
By being stronger in the Dhamma
we can help even more.
We can be an even bigger
island for beings.