 30 May 2010 @ 13:55
MERCY
Uphold precepts, but be merciful.
Gradually absorb, until there is no need for law.
Gain wisdom beyond right and wrong.
There was a young priest who returned to the community of his birth.
Instead of the neighborhood he knew as a boy, the community was now
predominantly homosexual. He was uncertain: On one hand, he had to serve
the people. On the other hand, his sect forbade homosexuality and
condemned it as a grave wrong. It would seem that whatever he did, he
would be a hypocrite. He eventually decided to accept all who came to
him but still uphold the doctrines of his sect. He saw his most
important duty as mercy, and so he was able to help others without truly
violating his precepts. When there are contradictions between beliefs,
one must resolve them in favor of what one judges to be the higher
principle.
We should not sell our ideals short for the sake of expediency or
selfishness. Following a particular spiritual tradition means a full
commitment to its rules in order to gain the essence of that tradition.
But we cannot afford to be dogmatic. Human law is imperfect: There will
always be unprecedented circumstances. Thus, we must go beyond rules and
operate instead from pure wisdom. We must act with experience,
flexibility, and insight. Let us so absorb integrity -- experiencing
both its triumphs and defeats -- that we do the right thing intuitively.
Tradition is first. Mercy is greater than tradition. Wisdom is
greater than mercy.
365 Tao: Daily Meditations
Deng Ming-Dao
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