Expert: Stuart Resnick - 2/7/2011

Question
Dear Mr. Resnick,

This may sound stupid but....  

If an over-enthusiastic individual takes a vow in front of a Buddhist altar, say, to be the vegetarian for the rest of his/her life, what horrible consequences will there be if it's broken (because e.g. the individual has no clue how to prepare a well balanced veggie diet and soooooo causes his/her health to fail)?

Just wondering. Sorry if I've wasted your time when you could be doing far much more important things.


Kind regards,

Sunyata. (who still has a looooong way to go)

Answer
Moment to moment, always try to act in a clear and compassionate way. Never waste time worrying about whether you succeed or fail, just try. If you've made a mistake, or ten thousand mistakes, it doesn't matter, because your job isn't to worry about mistakes, but rather to just try moment to moment.

You made a vow, a big promise. Sometimes you keep vows, sometimes you break them. Decide for yourself, moment to moment, what choice is best for all beings and then do it. Then, be ready for whatever appears in the next moment. That's all.