Equality
Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – 1968
“After the game the king and pawn go into the same box.” (Italian proverb)
Many words are used to describe the differences we see in others and even in ourselves. We attribute value descriptors so freely I wonder if sometimes we are even aware. We say things like ‘they are…’, ‘he is….’, and ‘I am…’
In all instances these are not necessarily the beginning of comparison statements, though frequently there is an implied comparison; even if the comparison is in the positive it still exists.
“My treasures are limitless. I should not give inferior, smaller carts to them. They are all my children. Therefore, I love them without partiality. I have a countless number of these large carts of the seven treasures. I gave one of these to each of my children equally. There should be no discrimination.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter III)
The Lotus Sutra is very clear on the concept of non-discrimination and equality. There really is no permanently existing basis of differences.
On the surface, yes we observe variations, however there is nothing on which to base a value of greater or lesser superiority.
“I see all living beings equally. I have no partiality for them. There is not ‘this one’ or ‘that one’ to me. I transcend love and hatred. I am attached to nothing. I am hindered by nothing. I always expound the Dharma to all living beings equally. I expound the Dharma to many in the same way as to one.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter V)
My original thought when I began writing was motivated by recent efforts in North Carolina, USA to further put into law a strengthening of a discrimination that currently exists regarding the right of people to love and be with whom they choose.
As I began writing I still held that thought, however I keep coming back to the idea of internalized inequality. By this I mean the comparisons we impose upon ourselves. How often do we, you and I, hold onto and incorporate into our beliefs the idea that we are either not good enough or that we are incapable of becoming enlightened?
Yet, from a Buddhist perspective this is not true nor is it fundamentally possible.
“Excellent, excellent! You, Sakyamuni, the World-Honored One, have expounded to this great multitude the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma, the Teaching of Equality, the Great Wisdom, the Dharma for Bodhisattvas, the Dharma Upheld by the Buddhas. So it is, so it is. What you, Sakyamuni, the World-Honored One, have expounded is all true.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XI)
It isn’t easy to abandon the messages of inequality, to turn aside from them and believe and practice equality. It isn’t easy to do this when relating to others in our environment, it isn’t easy to do this when relating to ourselves. We can continue to try and exert ourselves in practicing the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Flower Sutra.
As Nichiren says in the Sho Jiso Sho; “Endeavor! Endeavor, to strengthen your faith!”
