This week’s talk is dedicated to grieving the massacre at the Pulse nightclub on June 12. During the talk, Peter read a rendering of the discourse on lovingkindness, the Metta Sutta, and described how Buddhist concepts counter the human tendency towards hatred and aggression. Another quote from the Buddha’s teachings was written on the dry erase board: “Hatred isn’t resolved through more hatred; lovingkindness and compassion provide the solution. This is an ancient and comprehensive principle”. This was followed by opportunities for those attending to voice their grief regarding this and similar events in recent memory, along with how Buddhist principles and practices support “turning poison into medicine”.
Next week’s talk will begin and exploration of what Buddhist principles and practices can offer during this divisive political season.