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Careless or Accidental?
minimayhen88
Veteran
Dear all whom care to answer,
As I often do, I was thinking about how we define things .... and was thinking about the difference between 'careless' harm and 'accidental' harm (I'm a trained social researcher, so this kind of question interests me!!).... I thought about my own actions, as regards smoking (as I mentioned in a prior post I have now decided to quit smoking). I would be interested to hear your opinion on whether the following scenario is an act of 'careless' harm or 'accidental' harm....(sorry if this seems a silly / trivial question ... but it interests me!!) :-
I recently realised how harmful second hand smoke can be, in the context of the first precept (and of course Fifth precept which I do not yet hold). So while I continued to smoke a little (I only smoked 3-ish a day, but was and still am, addicted), I repented 'polluting the lungs of others' (as in the fo guang shan tradition ... repentance is the determination not to repeat a transgression). In doing so, I did all I could to avoid smoking within a close proximity too others ... even my closest friends (whom were also smoking), I stood away from while smoking (sorry if I sound silly!! ...bear in mind I am still young!!)
The other night while out with friends, I was trying to blow / direct my smoke away from them, even though, they themselves were smoking, as I did not wish to pollute their lungs further. As I did so, I noticed some smoke still reached one of them, however much I tried to direct it away from them. Later, that night I was smoking alone ... when I was approached by some people, also outside smoking. I once again tried to blow my smoke away from them .... but I am sure some of the smokes reached their lungs, because I read that even smoking outside (like I was on each occasion) smoke can linger and fall upon others, due to the wind. I have now quit smoking completely because, I realise that It is near impossible, to smoke and not harm others inadvertently .... and also, oneself.
Would you consider this to be an act of accidental harm or careless harm?
Even the shortest of responses ... I would be greatful of. Sorry if this seems a little trivial / over philosophical or just silly. But its just something I was thinking about and would appreciate your opinions :-)
With Kindness,
Claudie
As I often do, I was thinking about how we define things .... and was thinking about the difference between 'careless' harm and 'accidental' harm (I'm a trained social researcher, so this kind of question interests me!!).... I thought about my own actions, as regards smoking (as I mentioned in a prior post I have now decided to quit smoking). I would be interested to hear your opinion on whether the following scenario is an act of 'careless' harm or 'accidental' harm....(sorry if this seems a silly / trivial question ... but it interests me!!) :-
I recently realised how harmful second hand smoke can be, in the context of the first precept (and of course Fifth precept which I do not yet hold). So while I continued to smoke a little (I only smoked 3-ish a day, but was and still am, addicted), I repented 'polluting the lungs of others' (as in the fo guang shan tradition ... repentance is the determination not to repeat a transgression). In doing so, I did all I could to avoid smoking within a close proximity too others ... even my closest friends (whom were also smoking), I stood away from while smoking (sorry if I sound silly!! ...bear in mind I am still young!!)
The other night while out with friends, I was trying to blow / direct my smoke away from them, even though, they themselves were smoking, as I did not wish to pollute their lungs further. As I did so, I noticed some smoke still reached one of them, however much I tried to direct it away from them. Later, that night I was smoking alone ... when I was approached by some people, also outside smoking. I once again tried to blow my smoke away from them .... but I am sure some of the smokes reached their lungs, because I read that even smoking outside (like I was on each occasion) smoke can linger and fall upon others, due to the wind. I have now quit smoking completely because, I realise that It is near impossible, to smoke and not harm others inadvertently .... and also, oneself.
Would you consider this to be an act of accidental harm or careless harm?
Even the shortest of responses ... I would be greatful of. Sorry if this seems a little trivial / over philosophical or just silly. But its just something I was thinking about and would appreciate your opinions :-)
With Kindness,
Claudie
0
Comments
Next time, figure out which way the wind is blowing, and stand downwind of people.
I realize this point of view runs counter to the Buddhi-Nazi approach to precepts -- 108 razor-sharp links in a chain that is tied around our throats and must be observed if we don't want to be branded as a phony-baloney Buddhist. But I think any honest investigation of our own lives will plainly show ... yes, I can and do lie; yes, I can and do kill; yes, I can and do commit various kinds of harm, no matter how shiny my halo. And the shinier the halo, the more unhappy the life ... and I don't think Buddhism was made up in order to add to our burdens.
Precepts are in place as a means of pointing out what needs correction, not what can be achieved. So, we keep our eyes open. We take responsibility. We correct what we can when we can ... in the sure and certain knowledge that we had better keep our eyes open and our responsibilities clear. Any 'achievement' is bound to entail failure. This doesn't mean we ought to curl up like some limp and unresponsive rag. It just means we need to readjust the idealism gauge and get with a more realistic and effective program.
Just noodling, obviously.