From Steve Allison-Bunnell of Joining Rivers Sangha:
When we chant our closing Sharing the Merit, how often do we truly dedicate ourselves to the “benefit of all beings?” It’s easy for me to want to benefit my immediate friends and loved ones—that’s what nurtures our connection. It’s inspiring to want to benefit an endangered species or even an entire ecosystem—that is an embodiment of Interbeing. And it’s noble to want to benefit those we see as less fortunate—that is the essence of generosity. Then there are the people we disagree with, perhaps profoundly, about the shape of our society—our instinct is to not want to help them. But “all beings” really does mean seeking to relieve the suffering of all beings, perhaps especially those whose suffering can ripple out to harm us. How can you see their suffering as something that harms them as well? What can you imagine doing to help them? Where do you find refuge to make this even plausible?