When interpreting Moral Discipline encountering endangered areas, rare plant species, or simply beautifully, delicate laces and creatures we all depend on we must excercise Moral discipline not
to disturb, ruin, destroy or covet what we think we feel the desire to posses. We must have a Moral obligation to allow these things to go about their business, to allow them to grow, propagate and remain in their natural state. We must allow insects to do their job and not harm them just becuase we do not like how they look or that we fear them. Cause no distress or harm. There is an old saying; "Take only pictures, leave only footprints." Personally, I feel there can be exceptions, when we are being bitten by a Lyme Tick, I feel it is perfectly acceptable to dispose of it as I see fit. Once again, this is about how I interpret the tenets of Buddhism to create my Art and reach a state of meditation in order to find balance in my life, which many of us may be in dire need of. I have often found myself taking things from areas I have visited, but only after an undertsanding through study and communication with a Ranger that certain plants are harvestable, and are threatened in no way by these actions as long as the rules are followed. For instance, I recently discovered that a certain very valuable herb can be harvested in the Kettle Moraine State Forests of Wisconsin in quantities of up to 10 pounds per person.
2. Concentration (Samadhi)