Do No Harm!

Posted in Non-Buddhism by amituofo on March 27, 2008

They say “Don’t do onto others as you would wish them do onto you.” In this respect, Do No Harm by C.C.Keiser & Clyde Grossman did just exactly that.

“Do No Harm” seems like a simple message but often a neglected one. What is actually needed is just a simple act of self-reflection. That is if we were to take our time to reflect upon our own doings to others and for that moment imagine if we were actually on the receiving end, how would that upset us?

So in the spirit of spreading the message “Do No Harm” I have requoted a small essay written by them in the hope that others will likewise do so.

Requoted with permission:

We seem to be living in a world that is getting less hospitable every day. Look closely at any endeavor our species has engaged in and it appears we are unaware of the harm we do, we ignore the harm we do, we intentionally do harm for our own gain, or sadly in some cases we do harm for our own pleasure and enjoyment.

Has no one taught us to do no harm?

If we haven’t been taught to do no harm, we see no harm in doing harm. We cause harm and shrug it off. We cause harm and laugh about it. We cause harm and brag about it.

Sadder still, our children bear witness to our actions and never learn to do no harm themselves. Above all else we must teach our children, by example and instruction, this basic moral principle of life.

We must begin to make better choices and treat each other, the other creatures who share this planet with us, and this planet we call home with greater respect and compassion.

We believe that the first and most basic moral law is, “Do no harm.” Because we can feel pain and suffering, we can imagine the pain and suffering of others, and we can act accordingly to minimize the harm we cause.

What does “do no harm” mean? Ultimately it means to give thoughtful consideration to our actions. “Do no harm” simply means to consider how our actions may affect the world we all share, to be compassionate in our dealings with all creatures, and not to thoughtlessly despoil our planet.

Doctors are asked to “first do no harm,” why not lawyers, businessmen, religious leaders and politicians? Why not us? Why not now?

It sounds like a simple idea because it is a simple idea, but it may be effective over the long run. Will “do no harm” solve all the problems in our world? Perhaps not, but this is an effort to decrease the suffering in the world and to increase the kindness.

We hope that “do no harm” becomes that little voice that guides our actions.

And we hope you will join us and spread the message “Do no harm.”

If we are to change our world for the better, we simply must share the “Do No Harm” message with family and friends, with neighbors and our community.

And start today…

Visit www.donoharm.us and help spread the message in any convenience way possible but just do no harm.

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