A recent radio discussion between 3 christian ministers discussed Pride as one of the 7 deadly sins. In Buddhism it is also listed as a key afliction, up there with attachment, aversion, greed and anger. But pride is also a source of strength and achievement, isn't it? This lead me to explore the way in which Mahayana Buddhism addresses Pride.
As with all aspects of the Middle Way, the object itself has no inherent characteristics - it depends on the motivation behind observing the object. So Pride is both "Good" and "Bad".
Once again, I found Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life) gave some very clear distinctions. Whether the object of our pride is wealth, accomplishment, spiritual practice, children, appearance and so on, we can approach it from either of these points of view:
1. Self Importance: I am proud because I am wealthier, more successful, a better spiritual being, etc. than you. I will let everyone know that I have Pride in my achievements so they will think more of me and less of others. My Pride is based on external perceptions.
2. Self Confidence (I don't fully like this translation, but it serves its purpose): I am content with where I am with my wealth, status, practice, etc. and I am proud in that. I can have that Pride without having to broadcast it, and I can move on. My Pride is purely internal.
In contemplating this post, I thought about my pride. Am I taking Pride in putting up a post that I can say a thousand people have read, or does my Pride lie in having meditated on an aspect of me and recorded it, not caring if it is read at all? Maybe my achievement is having considered what is one of the five major afflictions and come to a better awareness of my own progress on my path to becoming enlightened.
But wait! Just by saying this, am I leaning towards Self Importance rather than Self Confidence? Oh well, back to contemplating the beautiful words and poetry of Shantideva!
Thus ends this post. May whatever virtue or merit that derives from this posting be for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Yours until next time, Vajramate.
4 comments:
I would like to ask about pride of others. When we are proud of what others achieve how does this fall into this?
I am a bit of a novice here, but I see it this way: It all comes back to our motivation behind the pride. If we are proud of another's achievement because we can can take some credit for it, then we are only serving to stroke our own ego and that is not virtuous or worthy of merit. However, if our pride is an understanding that through our contribution the other has displayed virtuous or meritorious characteristics, and we seek to gain no credit for whatever role we may have played, then that pride becomes a better understanding of what is virtuous and meritorious.
This is maybe a bit heavy handed as a response, but try and delve into the feelings and motivations behind your pride. Distinguish between joy in the virtue of others versus trying to take credit when all that does is inflate your sense of self.
Yours in Dharma, Vajramate.
I'm going to use the example of artwork for my question. I think pride can be a motivation, if I do a painting and I think it looks great then I do another, if not I may feel kind of crappy and not take up painting as a hobby. If a Buddhist did a work of art, and someone came up and smashed it up then walked away, I imagine a proper Buddhist wouldn't feel any sadness or loss for his work being destroyed (maybe sad the destroyer is so angry) does that sound right? If you make dinner and it tastes good how can you not recognize that it's good and have pride as a result? If someone says it tastes gross then that might make you sad??
I see that pride is a bad thing, and rightfully so because when it stops or goes backwards then it makes people sad, I think pride in your own craftsmanship is more well deserved than pride in wealth or appearance but is it wrong to make something and be happy when it turns out exceptionally well?
You are right that a Buddhist would (or, for most of us, should) be sad and compassionate because the destroyer is angry. Pride when considered as virtuous is a tenuous concept. There really is not an exact translation and Pride is the closest word to use. It more like having a paasing awareness that your actions were taken with correct motivation for the benefit of others, acknowleding that as a fact and then letting it go. It is as if you ask yourself "Did I do that for the right reasons and with the right intent?" If the answer comes up "Yes", be aware and pass on. It is that awareness that we label "Pride".
I hope this helps.
Yours in Dharma
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