“Oh boy! Oh boy!” cried the monk-on-probation who had just cracked the Zen Master’s favorite (and valuable) drinking cup.
The frightened youngster went to the Zen Master and asked, “Why must there be death?”
The Master answered, “Death is natural. It comes to all persons and things. We should not greet it with fear or meet death with anger. Why do you ask?”
“Because, Master, death has come upon your cup.”
Be Responsible
Many of you might have found that why monk could not say simply that your favourable cup is broken.
From your life recollect the incidence when you were having fear that how other person will take this news. Before saying the news you rehearsal you have done within yourself. If required you might have consultat to someone also. Why?
First of all because of the fear. But in the fear we forget one thing that we become more conscious of our actions and watchful. We are not in a hurry.
Read the story again. You will find that the monk was having a lot of fear. As he had come to the monastery to learn something. It was not about the education where once you have made any mistakes you will be excused. No. He wanted to learn something. This opportunity is rare for him. It was his decision. Noone has asked him to go to the monastery and learn something. It was not an education. It was a question of learning.
When we decide something for ourselves how much responsible we become. It was our choice. We decided because we wanted to accomplish certain things. Whole responsibility to accomplish is on us.
At that time our fear can help us to be self-alert. We become conscious and not in a hurry. We take each step with awareness. At an appropriate time we just reveal whatever is required. We will be aware of all our actions. We will be in the middle. What is Buddha’s teaching Be In The Middle. We will find ourselves in the middle, calm.
Responsibility
Being responsible means being dependable, keeping promises and honoring our commitments. It is accepting the consequences for what we say and do. It also means developing our potential.
People who are responsible don’t make excuses for their actions or blame others when things go wrong. They think things through and use good judgment before they take action. They behave in ways that encourage others to trust them.
People who are responsible take charge of their lives. They make plans and set goals for nurturing their talents and skills. They are resilient in finding ways to overcome adversity. They make decisions, taking into account obligations to family and community.
Children need to learn that being part of a family and a community involves accepting responsibilities. When each of us acts responsibly, our families and communities will be stronger.
Learning from the Story Drinking Cup: Be Responsible
Experience Learning
It sounds like something your grandma might call you—“such a responsible young person.” Kind of corny, sort of annoying, but still—doesn’t it feel good to have people (even your grandma) think of you as someone who does what you say you will do, when you say you will do it?
Basically, responsible behavior is doing the right thing. Responsible behavior is doing what you should do in any situation. It is doing what people expect you to do, even when it’s not easy, fun, or clear. Responsible people can be counted on to do what they say they’re going to do, even in tough situations. For society to work, people have to behave in responsible, predictable, and ethical ways. Trust is essential, and being responsible means being someone other people can trust. It means knowing the right thing to do and then doing it.
So, it makes sense to figure out just what responsible behavior looks like in many different situations and how you can cultivate it to become the kind of person others—and you—can count on.
What Is Responsible Behavior?
Consider the Consequences:
Your mom wants you to clean your room. Your teacher wants you to do your homework. And, your boss wants you to get to work on time. Everybody is on your case to do the right thing; to do what you say you will; to be, in a word, responsible. But, there’s more to being responsible than just doing what other people want you to do. Being responsible means making the right choices. It means identifying and accepting the consequences—good or bad—of your decisions.
Ultimately, it means considering how your actions will affect people and situations around you.
The Recipe for Responsibility
Responsible behavior is made up of five essential elements—honesty, compassion/respect, fairness, accountability, and courage. Let’s take a look at each one.
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