Sila means doing good and refraining from doing evil with bodily action and speech. Right View and Right Attitude encourage sila because once you see the truth, you are no longer inclined to use your body or speech for harming y

Metta or lovingkindness meditation cultivates our ability to connect with and care in a rare unconditional way, for others and ourselves. If I were to take my child off life-support, I will inevitably be overcome with a sense of sorrow and a feeling of unforgiveness (Class lecture, Nov.9/01). However, according to metta, our hearts' capacity for patience, acceptance, compassion and forgiveness becomes boundless. With an inner and outer environment of safety our hearts and minds can open fearlessly. The result of this practice is an ever-deepening stillness, from which the truth of life can be recognized clearly. Metta practice is a sturdy foundation for the wisdom practice of insight. The Buddha is quoted in the Metta Sutta: “Just as a mother might protect from harm the son that was her only child, let all-embracing thoughts of love for every living thing be thine. An all-embracing love for all the universe, in all its heights and depth and breadth. An unstinted love, not marred by enmity.” (Sutta-Nip.149) Therefore, if I feel hatred towards my self for my decision, it is most likely to pass, as I had the best interests of my child and other unhealthy children in mind.

ourself or other beings (Class lecture, Nov.7/01). You feel responsible; you are not going to misuse your own body or someone else's, or cause harm to other beings intentionally. By removing my child from the life-support system in order to prevent him/her from undergoing a further painful life and by donating his/her organs to another child in need, I won’t be causing harm to the child, but instead giving the chance of life to another human being. I may have caused harm unintentionally, but I did not have the intention to hurt. That's the difference.

Genuineness and empathy are central to the practice of karuna. Compassion bubbles up from deep within our hearts. It is a "feeling with" that

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