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42 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

THE FACEBOOK SUTTA

(SN 57.1)

By Bernat Font

Bernat Font encountered the dharma as a teenager. He is particularly interested
in early Buddhism and how it can give birth to fresh perspectives to 21st-century
lives. His meditation practice is very influenced by the teachings of Sayadaw
U Tejaniya. He recently graduated from the Community Dharma Leadership
program, mentored by Stephen Batchelor, and completed a Master’s degree in
Buddhist Studies by the University of South Wales. He balances the dharma with
his career as a jazz pianist. He leads a sitting group in his hometown Barcelona
and he blogs at www.budismosecular.org

Thus have I imagined. At one time, the Fortunate One was staying in Silicon Valley. There,
he addressed the monks (bhikkhus) thus: “Bhikkhus.” “Venerable sir,” they replied.

“These things should not be cultivated with regards to Facebook by one gone forth.
Which things? Thoughts of greed, thoughts of aversion, ignorance of filter bubbles. One
who has entered the eightfold path does not engage in individuality-view posting, nor
crave for likes, nor has the conceit ‘I share’.

“Bhikkhus, when an uninstructed person senses a post with his device, which is an
advertisement, a TED Talk, an impressive headline, thoughts of greed arise in him. Why?
Here, bhikkhus, an uninstructed person gives inappropriate attention to the sign of
instant, magical solutions. Thus, when an uninstructed person senses a post with their
device, which is an advertisement, a TED Talk, an impressive headline, thoughts of greed
arise in him.

“Bhikkhus, when an uninstructed person senses a post with her device, which is a rant,
an alarmist article, an impressive headline, thoughts of aversion arise in her. Why? Here,
bhikkhus, an uninstructed person gives inappropriate attention to the sign of fatalism.
Thus, when an uninstructed person senses a post with their device, which is a rant, a
catastrophist article, an impressive headline, thoughts of aversion arise in her.

“Whenever an uninstructed person goes online, Māra stands besides him.

“Bhikkhus, when a noble disciple senses a post with his device, which is an advertisement,
a TED Talk, an impressive headline, he reflects thus: this is harmful, it leads to craving, to
renewed frustration and seeking, it obstructs wise action, it takes away freedom. Here,
bhikkhus, seeing much danger, a noble disciple gives appropriate attention to the sign