Q. Why is there bad sportsmanship?

A. Behaviour on the sports field came to mind when I first saw this question but it happens in all walks of life. Attention-grabbing acts of defiance, anger or misdirected power may look strong and in command but what looks like strength is often weakness, an attempt to cover up fear. Acting unskilfully, out of greed, craving or self-gain (the what’s in it for me?? angle) doesn’t, in the long-term, get us anywhere. Money can’t buy happiness or health. Buddhism encourages people to look at their own experiences with awareness and have courage to ask the right questions and be open to the answers.

Jan McHarry
Involved in the London Buddhist Centre