Fixing the world

[mpcahn]

I've heard that the a discourse about the futility of fixing the world was in the pali cannon.

Anyone know where it is? I can't find it.

Thanks.

[tiltbillings]

I've heard that the a discourse about the futility of fixing the world was in the pali cannon.

Anyone know where it is? I can't find it.

The "world" is the only thing you can "fix."

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

[mpcahn]

I guess I should say perfecting the physical world

[santa100]

Master Shantideva, an 8th-century Indian Buddhist Master was known for this quote:

"Where would I find enough leather to cover the entire surface of the earth? But with leather soles beneath my feet, it’s as if the whole world had been covered"

His intention was not to tell people to withdraw from all charitable acts to help others, his message basically remind us that the origin of all problems and issues start from your own mind, not from external factors. There'll always be un-favorable external conditions that one has little control of, but one still has total control of what's going on in one's own mind. By purifying the mind of defilements, one can greatly reduce the sufferings going on "out" there. That's basically what the message was trying to say.

The Nikayas' SN 47.19 gave another analogy in a similar spirit.. (ref: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html ).

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Santa100,

Master Shantideva, an 8th-century Indian Buddhist Master was known for this quote:

"Where would I find enough leather to cover the entire surface of the earth? But with leather soles beneath my feet, it’s as if the whole world had been covered"

This is the first thing that came to mind for me upon reading the original post too.

However, given this is the "Classical Theravada" section, it's worth providing a caveat for readers that Shantideva is not representative of the Classical Mahaihara Buddhist tradition.

Metta,
Retro.

[mpcahn]

Thank you all for your replies

I was listening to a talk by Thanissaro and he mentioned somewhere in the Suttas the Buddha talked about the delusion that outside conditions could be perfected. That the world could be perfected to take perfect care of everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else had read that sutta because I can't find it.