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Cultivating Nobility
In Buddhism, we hear the words noble and nobility a lot: the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, etc.
I love the fact that nobility is such a central pillar of this philosophy: somehow that really elevates the path in my mind. Nobility has always seemed a very high ideal to me, a "lofty" virtue in the upper realms of human consciousness.
What is your understanding of nobility? What does nobility mean to you?
Do you "practice" or "cultivate" nobility in your life? If so, how do you do it?
What does it mean to cultivate nobility?
I love the fact that nobility is such a central pillar of this philosophy: somehow that really elevates the path in my mind. Nobility has always seemed a very high ideal to me, a "lofty" virtue in the upper realms of human consciousness.
What is your understanding of nobility? What does nobility mean to you?
Do you "practice" or "cultivate" nobility in your life? If so, how do you do it?
What does it mean to cultivate nobility?
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I have heard it means "to be without enemies".
The enemy, naturally, is dukkha.
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What does noble mean to you?
Such as the Hindu term 'raja yoga', which means "king of yoga", the "supreme yoga".
Z: What is your understanding of nobility? What does nobility mean to you?
S9: I have heard nobility described as kingly. If this were the case, than practicing nobility would certainly be deciding who to put on charge, either of your life or in your acts within that life.
In this context, you would also have to decide who were the servants.
In my life, I have decided, for instance, that my emotions should not BE in charge. But that my emotions should definitely be listened to, and considered into the equation of both what is to be understood and what is to be done, because they are both a necessary and worthy servants, or advisors.
For instance, intellect without heart is a sterile thing. : ^ (
None of our advisors can act autonomously and still remain wise.
Other worthy advisors would certainly be our physical feelings, which keep us in touch with our physical being and its health.
Nobility brings up the whole idea of a hierarchy, with the King being in charge of his kingdom (metaphorically speaking.)
So perhaps our biggest, or is it our first decision, would be; who are we going to make King (in this story), and why?
Respectfully, : ^ )
S9
My own understanding of "nobility" is similar to the definition given by sukhita: a raising of our character and ideals. It is a lifting up of our thoughts and feelings, a raising of our consciousness to a level where compassion, lovingkindness, and a genuine concern for other beings are our governing motives.
The old European "caste" sytem of nobility--where a man was a "noble," not because he had high character, but merely because he had money, power, and social status--seems to me a perversion of true nobility. True nobility (as I understand it) has always been marked by a kind heart, wisdom, compassion, and a strong character.
How can we cultivate nobility? What are some ways that one can embody and practice this quintessential Buddhist ideal?
Interesting thread my friend . below is the def from dictionary.com
4 & 5 seem to go hand in hand with the 4 truths .
Maybe it means to cultivate Excellence of Moral conduct on a grander scale ??
no·bil·i·ty
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–noun,plural-ties. 1.the noble class or the body of nobles in a country.
2.(in Britain) the peerage.
3.the state or quality of being noble.
4.nobleness of mind, character, or spirit; exalted moral excellence.
5.grandeur or magnificence.
6.noble birth or rank.
Word Noble
no·ble
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–adjective1.distinguished by rank or title.
2.pertaining to persons so distinguished.
3.of, belonging to, or constituting a hereditary class that has special social or political status in a country or state; of or pertaining to the aristocracy.
4.of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence; lofty: a noble thought.
5.admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition: a noble poem.
6.very impressive or imposing in appearance; stately; magnificent: a noble monument.
7.of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent.
8.famous; illustrious; renowned.
9.Chemistry. inert; chemically inactive.
10.Falconry. (of a hawk) having excellent qualities or abilities.
The Buddhist way would be the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path...
noble- not smoking the last bowl from the community marijuana stash
noble- putting new marijuanas in the marijuana stash when marijuanas stash is unmarijuana'd
noble- giving free marijuana
noble- nobilizing things without being ennobobled to noble them, nobly
noble- sitting in zazen and shutting your mouth and opening your mind
noble- washing dishes
noble- smiling and saying hello to strangers, giving the dharma
noble- WALRUSES
is there nobility in ignobility
?
is it sometimes necessary in upaya to smash egos instead of hypnotize them for example?
Yes, and to add a dash from jinzang's diaries: http://carelesshand.net/weblog.pl
Having some attainment is the jackal's yelp, having no attainment is the lion's roar - attributed to Chogyam Trungpa.
Namaste.
I wonder, though, if there's anything more specific than that? Perhaps a particular spoke of the Path that lends itself more toward the strengthening of nobility.
Perhaps not, though: this may be the best counsel.