First, I notice here that the word "dharma" has been translated as "phenomenon." Here is a definition I found in Red Pine's glossary: "Dharma: A Sanskrit word that means `what is real,' whether an object, an event, or a teaching. In the Abhidharma school, the term is applied to entities of the mind."
To me this chapter is a reiteration of the fundamental points of the third chapter. Essentially, to help others, while remaining unattached. This means of course that one should not expect any kind of reward of any kind, including the reward of happiness, for helping another person. I recall some advice I overheard for becoming a more moral person. The advice was, for one week, to do things for other people, but not to let them know that you are doing it. I tried this several months ago but failed. Perhaps I'll try again.
The other part of the passage describes the `body of merit` which will result from practicing this principle. I like the third translation which says that it is `not measurable in thought.` In other words, it is impossible to describe, just like you can't measure how much space there is in the universe. It sounds like a promise. 'Subhuti, you do this, and good things will happen.`
The catch is that you cannot be attached to those good things, and for example, have specific expectations about them. Perhaps another way to say it is "Subhuti, you do this, and the universe will be a better place."
1 comment:
I think the teaching goes beyond not expecting a reward. It goes to not expecting at all. Neither that it will help the receiver, nor that it will even be noticed. It seems to say it should be an unconscious act, detached from meaning.
Like many of the passages, this idea disquiets me. Once, again, I want to argue it, fight it. Maybe that's because there is a fundamental mistake or illogic in my conception of it. Or maybe because I want ground, I depend on recognition.
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