Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00910)

Friends, 

The ULT monthly magazine in India, "The Theosophical Movement",  writes in a December 2001 article:  

"One of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism is about the Noble Eightfold Path, and the second of the steps is named Samma-Sankappa. The Sanskrit equivalent is Sankalpa, and the best English rendering is the term Resolve. Resolve follows perception. The first step of right perception corresponds to the child-stage; the second step of right resolve corresponds to the stage of the youth, who has seen enough and whose time for resolutions has come. It is very unwise to take a vow or to make a resolve without sight or perception; more unwise still to persuade others to resolve to do this or that, if they have not seen or understood."
Then comes a question:
"What is resolve? There are several factors. In making a resolve, there is sight or perception about the object of our resolution. There is visualization or imagination; not speculation and fancy but the power to image forth the forms desired by the heart. Then there is the factor of will—will felt within (Ichchha-shakti) and the creative will (Kriya-shakti). Buddhistic Psychology deals with these numerous threads that weave the pattern of a true resolve. But enough for us to know and note that will, thought and feeling are involved in the process of making a resolution or of taking a vow."
The article goes on: 
"Resolves and vows are an inner process of our own hearts and minds. Right resolves, i.e., resolves that are right for us at our own stage of evolution, may not be right for others. We must therefore fully recognize that the power of a vow, of any vow, lies within our own mind and heart. The Buddha said that right perception of the sad and sorrowful condition of the world brings us the knowledge that each man and woman, each child and adult, suffers by and under law (...)" 

See more at 

http://www.teosofia.com/Mumbai/7202resolve.html

Best regards,    Carlos. 


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