"Here there is no talk of the world's affairs - those matters that make wild the hearts of men." Chia Tao (779-843); trans. Mike O'Connor

Saturday, July 24, 2010

My Weekly Haiku - Zen and Divorce - Saturday, July 24, 2010

In Zen Buddhism, divorce is generally uncommon if each party is engaged in a Buddhist practice that encourages compassion and respect for differing views.

As a Zen practitioner will deeply examine issues of attachment and aversion, this knowledge helps to reduce the friction that can occur in even the healthiest marriages.

However, if one member is not a Buddhist and the marriage becomes toxic to the point where harm may occur — spiritually or emotionally — to either party, there are no Buddhist teachings prohibiting divorce.

Certainly counseling and therapy is preferable, particularly if children are involved, but divorce is not stigmatized in Zen Buddhism. It simply is another area of life — neither good nor bad.

Lightning rends the sky
Illuminating darkness.
Observe and detach.

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