Episode 149 - Friendship and Buddhism

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With stories of yogis who spent years practicing alone in isolated mountain caves, it might seem like Buddhism promotes a solitary path. But in reality, Buddha spoke many times of the importance of good friends. Friends that are a good influence on us are essential to our well-being and spiritual development. Once, Ananda said to the Buddha that good friends are half the Holy Life. Buddha replied, “No, Ananda, having good friends isn’t half of the Holy Life. Having good friends is the whole of the Holy Life.” </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buddha also said, “it is better to go alone” than to have friends who negatively influence us. Because we are so easily, almost subconsciously, affected by those we spend a lot of time with, we must choose our companions carefully. In this episode, we look at how vital deep friendships are and the inner qualities of friendship.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the Sigalaka Sutra, the Buddha named these four types of friend:</span></p> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>The helpful friend:  </strong></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">protects you when you are careless</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">looks after your property when you are forgetful</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">is a refuge when you are frightened</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">when some need arises, gives you twice the wealth required</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>The friend who shares one’s happiness and suffering:</strong></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">reveals their secrets to you, but guards your secrets </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-lev