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Some sort of justice

A rather important post script to my last post on "The Incident":  The man who attacked me mere yards from my apartment was arrested soon after, and charged with two misdemeanor counts for sexual abuse.  The Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case called this week to let me know that the defendant has pled guilty and will likely face 6 months in jail, along with one year of probation and community service.  I am submitting a written 'statement of impact' that the Attorney will read in court.  (I've opted out of taking the stand in person). 

To be honest, I don't know how I feel about "justice" as delivered in response to The Incident.  On one hand, I'm relieved that he will be reprimanded, and hopefully encouraged to reflect on his behavior.  On the other hand, he is one among many who act this way.  Does the penalty really address the root cause of the injustice?  I don't know.
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  1. AronNovember 8, 2010 at 1:03 PM

    Hi Caroline, Isn't it just a matter how you look at it, especially with your new way of seeing life?

    In each of our countless lives since beginningless time, we must have had parents. At one time or another, every single sentient being must have been our mother or father. When we think of all these beings, who have been our parents wandering helplessly and for so long in the circle of existence, like blind people who have lost theire way, we cannot but feel tremendous compassion for them. Compassion by itself, however, is not enoughj; they need actual help. But as long as our minds are still limited by attachment, just giving them food, clothing, money, or simply affection will only bring them a limited and temporary happiness at best. What we must do is to find a way to liberate them completely from suffering. This can be done only by following a spiritual path and transforming ourselves so that we can transform others.

    Compassion should be directed impartially toward all sentient beings without discriminating between those who are friends and those who are enemies. With this compassion constantly in mind, every positiv act, even the offering of a single flower or the recitation of a single mantra, we should do with the wish that it may benefit all living creatures without exception.

    The great teachers of the past considered the most precious teaching to be the inseparability of voidness and compassion. They cultivated love, compassion, joy, and equanimity - the four limitless thoughts out of which the ability to help others arises effortlessly. Motivated by compassion for all beings, we shoud establish firmly in our hearts the intention to attain enlightenment for the sake of others. Without this intention, our compassion will be a pale imitation of the real thing. It is said, "To wish happiness for others, even for those who want to do us harm, is the source of consummate happiness." When finally we reach this level, compassion for all beings arises by itself in a way that is utterly uncontrived.

    It is very important to focus our whole being on our commitment to achieve Buddhahood for the sake of others, until it becomes clear just how meaningless and frustrating the activities of this life really are. We will be touched and saddened by the debilitated condition of beings in this difficult times, and a strong feeling of determination to be free from samsara will arise. If this attitudes truly take root, the qualities and achievements of the Great Vehicle are sure to grow from them. But if that genuin determination to be free from samsara is not firmly implanted in our mind, our Dharma practice will never be able to develop fully.

    All sentient beings are the same in wishing to be happy and not to suffer. The great difference between myself and others is in numbers - there is only one of me, but countless others. So my happiness and my suffering are completely insignificant compared to the happiness and suffering of infinite other beings. What Truly matters is whether other beings are happy or suffering. This is the basis of the mind determined in attain enlightenment. We should wish others to be happy rather than ourselves, and we should especially wish happiness for those whom we perceive as enemies and those who treat us badly. Otherwise, what is the use of compassion? ( Khyentse Rinpoche)

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