Difference between revisions of "Appreciation"
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| − | Appreciation (modhanā) is the happiness and joy felt on recognising the good in something or someone. It is a positive mental state closely related to gratitude and sympathetic joy. Appreciation dispels negativity, the feeling of inadequacy and self-pity, it imparts happiness and it also motivates us to act. The Buddha discussed at least four things we can feel admiration and appreciation towards: (1) the good within ourselves, (2) the good within others, (3) the blessings of being born human and (4) the many advantages and opportunities we enjoy. | + | |
| − | The Dhamma can sometimes be practised in such a way that all our attention is on our negativities and how to deal with them. To avoid this lopsidedness, the Buddha also taught us to spend time contemplating and then celebrating our strengths and our virtues (sīlānusati),the things about ourselves we sometimes overlook. | + | |
| − | The Buddha pointed out how few humans there are when compared with all the other beings and, thus, that it is actually a very rare occurrence to be reborn as a human (A.I,36). This being so, we should appreciate ‘the rare chance of having human birth ... of a Tathāgata appearing in the world ... of the Dhamma and discipline being proclaimed ... and so make an effort to understand the Four Noble | + | |
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| + | [[Appreciation]] ([[modhanā]]) is the [[happiness]] and [[joy]] felt on recognising the good in something or someone. It is a positive [[mental state]] closely related to [[gratitude]] and [[sympathetic joy]]. [[Appreciation]] dispels negativity, the [[feeling]] of inadequacy and self-pity, it imparts [[happiness]] and it also motivates us to act. The [[Buddha]] discussed at least four things we can [[feel]] admiration and [[appreciation]] towards: | ||
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| + | (1) the good within ourselves, (2) the good within others, (3) the [[blessings]] of being born [[human]] and (4) the many advantages and opportunities we enjoy. | ||
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| + | The [[Dhamma]] can sometimes be practised in such a way that all our [[attention]] is on our negativities and how to deal with them. To avoid this lopsidedness, the [[Buddha]] also [[taught]] us to spend time contemplating and then celebrating our strengths and our [[virtues]] (sīlānusati),the things about ourselves we sometimes overlook. | ||
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| + | ‘[[Rejoicing]] here, [[rejoicing]] there, [[rejoicing]] both here and there, one rejoices and is appreciative {{Wiki|reflecting}} on one’s [[own]] [[good deeds]].’ (Dhp.16). [[Seeing]] or hearing about the [[serenity]], the [[virtue]] or the [[kindness]] of others or of the good done by them, can fill us with admiration and the [[desire]] to emulate them. | ||
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| + | The [[Buddha]] said: ‘If one with [[faith]] were to aspire perfectly, he or she should make this [[aspiration]], “May I be like [[Sāriputta]] and [[Moggallāna]] ... like the [[nun]] [[Khema]] ... like the [[layman]] [[Hatthaka]] or the lay woman [[Khujjuttarā]].”’ (A.I,88). | ||
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| + | The [[Buddha]] pointed out how few [[humans]] there are when compared with all the other [[beings]] and, thus, that it is actually a very rare occurrence to be [[reborn]] as a [[human]] (A.I,36). | ||
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| + | This being so, we should appreciate ‘the rare chance of having [[human]] [[birth]] ... of a [[Tathāgata]] appearing in the [[world]] ... of the [[Dhamma]] and [[discipline]] being proclaimed ... and so make an [[effort]] to understand the [[Four Noble Truths]]’ (S.V,455). | ||
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| + | We should, the [[Buddha]] also said, occasionally [[contemplate]] that now we are young, in [[good health]], that we have abundant resources and that we live in a land that is at [[peace]], but that this may not always be so (A.III,103). | ||
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| + | In his [[Suhṛllekha]] [[Nāgārjuna]] wrote, ‘Having obtained [[human]] [[birth]], one who wastes it by doing [[evil]] is more [[foolish]] than one who fills a jewel-encrusted golden cup with vomit.’ | ||
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| + | While countless [[humans]] have impaired [[faculties]], live in lands where just surviving is a daily struggle or where there is no freedom of [[religion]], most of us do not [[suffer]] from such disadvantages. | ||
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| + | Becoming more {{Wiki|aware}} of our {{Wiki|present}} situation can give us a heightened [[appreciation]] and [[gratitude]] of the many advantages we enjoy and the wonderful opportunities we have. This can be a positive {{Wiki|stimulus}} to make full use of these advantages and opportunities to practise the [[Dhamma]]. See [[Harmony]]. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=25 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=25 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:54, 5 January 2016
Appreciation (modhanā) is the happiness and joy felt on recognising the good in something or someone. It is a positive mental state closely related to gratitude and sympathetic joy. Appreciation dispels negativity, the feeling of inadequacy and self-pity, it imparts happiness and it also motivates us to act. The Buddha discussed at least four things we can feel admiration and appreciation towards:
(1) the good within ourselves, (2) the good within others, (3) the blessings of being born human and (4) the many advantages and opportunities we enjoy.
The Dhamma can sometimes be practised in such a way that all our attention is on our negativities and how to deal with them. To avoid this lopsidedness, the Buddha also taught us to spend time contemplating and then celebrating our strengths and our virtues (sīlānusati),the things about ourselves we sometimes overlook.
‘Rejoicing here, rejoicing there, rejoicing both here and there, one rejoices and is appreciative reflecting on one’s own good deeds.’ (Dhp.16). Seeing or hearing about the serenity, the virtue or the kindness of others or of the good done by them, can fill us with admiration and the desire to emulate them.
The Buddha said: ‘If one with faith were to aspire perfectly, he or she should make this aspiration, “May I be like Sāriputta and Moggallāna ... like the nun Khema ... like the layman Hatthaka or the lay woman Khujjuttarā.”’ (A.I,88).
The Buddha pointed out how few humans there are when compared with all the other beings and, thus, that it is actually a very rare occurrence to be reborn as a human (A.I,36).
This being so, we should appreciate ‘the rare chance of having human birth ... of a Tathāgata appearing in the world ... of the Dhamma and discipline being proclaimed ... and so make an effort to understand the Four Noble Truths’ (S.V,455).
We should, the Buddha also said, occasionally contemplate that now we are young, in good health, that we have abundant resources and that we live in a land that is at peace, but that this may not always be so (A.III,103).
In his Suhṛllekha Nāgārjuna wrote, ‘Having obtained human birth, one who wastes it by doing evil is more foolish than one who fills a jewel-encrusted golden cup with vomit.’
While countless humans have impaired faculties, live in lands where just surviving is a daily struggle or where there is no freedom of religion, most of us do not suffer from such disadvantages.
Becoming more aware of our present situation can give us a heightened appreciation and gratitude of the many advantages we enjoy and the wonderful opportunities we have. This can be a positive stimulus to make full use of these advantages and opportunities to practise the Dhamma. See Harmony.
