by Rev. James Lynch, President of the Buddhist Council of New York
The Buddha asks that we give and that our giving results in peace. He notes that mere words are not enough that we must act upon our good intentions to bring others peace and yet through our actions, there is a corresponding benefit conferred to ourselves.
He notes that our actions have a real benefit and that at times we must take actions that are neither popular or easy but which respect and revere the other. That each person is our teacher and hence worthy of respect.
In this way, our community is healed naturally by and through our individual and collective compassion.