Intentions: Metta or not, here they come!

by Kathryn Ann Steger, Peekskill, NY, The Buddhist Channel, August 31, 2007

With all this talk about good intentions, freeing animals and harming the environment I am reminded of something I did this summer.

While walking on a hot, dry gravel road next our train line this summer I noticed a worm writhing in the middle of this road. It looked dull and stuck. Immediately I thought I had to rescue this worm because clearly it was suffering from lacking its ideal home. Sadly, land by the Hudson River was fenced off by many yards, so I gently placed the worm on the dirt under lots of grasses and bushes, with a little spit to return some moisture to its skin. As it was a dry spell so too the earth was very dry, and I could only hope this shaded bushy area would be better for the worm.

I continued my walk feeling better that I had done my best to help relieve the worm's suffering. Then I noticed LOTS of worms on the gravel road, all pointed roughly in a north-westerly direction towards the river (and incidentally where the sun sets that time of year). The worms clearly were leaving the dry soil for an epic journey to more moist conditions near the river.

No matter that no worm would succeed due to desiccation, they were all well on their way toward their own perceived relief, in an obvious community of sorts. Except for "my" worm - I had set it back a huge journey.

Imagine if it understood that it's dry, hot migration was just eradicated by my "good" intentions.

The husband of a good friend is known to say, a little comically, "Speak to me!" when he comes across spiders and worms and other tiny invertebrates in trouble. Had I taken a moment and looked around, my spit might just have gotten this life through to nightfall, allowing better travel conditions and giving instant relief from desiccation.

I understand better that my "good intentions" are selfish and that I must strive to see all perspectives. Listening and observing. Why add more than that? “Good intentions” are just personal or group-sanctioned feelings which distort reality to favor isolated perspectives.

Listen. Observe. What more?

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)

For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.

For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team

Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

Search Buddhist Channel

Intentions: Metta or not, here they come!

by Kathryn Ann Steger, Peekskill, NY, The Buddhist Channel, August 31, 2007