from a personal poetical exploration of
thich nhat hanh's 14 precepts
tenth precept: standing up to injustice
Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strice to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
nightly I arrive at my dorm past the witching hour midnight I am locked out sometimes a window entrance or often I have my key it is not a big deal but subtly unwelcoming or not so when I am to visit a friend late night I find myself locked out, waiting in the colder months I am increasingly inspired to stand up to injustice: without polling the electorate such a preeminent emphasis on safety that we are not so easily to visit each other (many dorms are locked always) to assume such a need, enforce such measures presumes and fosters a climate of mistrust on a local scale, that is injustice I turn to thich nhat hanh who begs me to ask who does want these doors locked? as I consider a petition rally majority rule to my side might I be slighting the fearful or stalked I am confused sadly derailed from stridency, until page 39 "the voice of caring and understanding must be distinct from the voice of ambition." I must not weild this community as my poltical party.
ninth | interbeing | eleventh