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Thought for the Day: August 1, 2011
Appearances are the affirmation of emptiness. It is an incredible thought to think that
even a particle of dust is possible because of emptiness and that if emptiness were not
empty, not even a particle of dust would be possible. But, to think that the entire and
stimulate the spirit of inquiry. The sage Nagarjuna succinctly states: "because emptiness
is possible, all things are possible."
* * *
Appearances are the affirmation of emptiness. It is an incredible thought to think that
even a particle of dust is possible because of emptiness and that if emptiness were not
empty, not even a particle of dust would be possible. But, to think that the entire and
stimulate the spirit of inquiry. The sage Nagarjuna succinctly states: "because emptiness
is possible, all things are possible."
* * *
While it is natural that we seek a place of rest for our mind, the fact that conditions are
constantly changing proscribes the possibility of such a place. The correct practice of
meditation seeks no resting place, but rather realizes stillness is embracing change.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 3, 2011
Losing an argument and understanding why you did; is more profitable than winning
one.
* * *
Losing an argument and understanding why you did; is more profitable than winning
one.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 4, 2011
Mantras are often thought of as sacred syllables, and as such sometimes carelessly recited,
believing too much in the mantra and forgetting the important part right intention plays
in mantra recitation. The fact is that a mantra extends over time, even very short ones,
or even the single syllable mantra Om, has a beginning, middle, and end. If we look at it
this way, which moment of the mantra has the power to be deemed "sacred." The fact is
that every moment of the mantra is only as sacred as the intention that arises with it.
Therefore, correct mantra recitation requires great effort on our part, or we will be
merely reciting mantras while thinking about common affairs. Rather than getting lost in
ordinary thinking, a cover up that will even fool us, if we let it.
* * *
Mantras are often thought of as sacred syllables, and as such sometimes carelessly recited,
believing too much in the mantra and forgetting the important part right intention plays
in mantra recitation. The fact is that a mantra extends over time, even very short ones,
or even the single syllable mantra Om, has a beginning, middle, and end. If we look at it
this way, which moment of the mantra has the power to be deemed "sacred." The fact is
that every moment of the mantra is only as sacred as the intention that arises with it.
Therefore, correct mantra recitation requires great effort on our part, or we will be
merely reciting mantras while thinking about common affairs. Rather than getting lost in
ordinary thinking, a cover up that will even fool us, if we let it.
* * *
I have been in Chengdu, China for only a couple of days now, and am amazed at the
incredible warmth, genuineness, and happiness of the people here. They are right up
there with the Thai and Nepalese in this regard, and my perception of a cold, serious
people has been erased. Of course this is only one city, but it is one of the largest in
China. It has been a good lesson for me to be here as it has demonstrated in a very real
manner just how much we are conditioned be our media (I am American) and what we
hear from sources that may be very biased.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 6, 2011
"Space" in our lives is a very valuable thing, and yet when we have it, it seems
like we become anxious and look for ways to fill it up. We tend to be better at
doing things than doing nothing; better at utilizing our mind and body, than
leaving it alone. To be open and vulnerable can also invite fear, but generally this
fear is a harmless "paper tiger," and without basis. If we give ourselves to empty
moments and become open and vulnerable, we invite change and transformation
and allow ourselves to be molded by the various conditions of our lives, an
impartial observer in faith in the process. Without imposing how things ought
to be, we can observe how things are, and humbly find our place.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 5, 2011
I have been in Chengdu, China for only a couple of days now, and am amazed at the
incredible warmth, genuineness, and happiness of the people here. They are right up
there with the Thai and Nepalese in this regard, and my perception of a cold, serious
people has been erased. Of course this is only one city, but it is one of the largest in
China. It has been a good lesson for me to be here as it has demonstrated in a very real
hear from sources that may be very biased.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 6, 2011
"Space" in our lives is a very valuable thing, and yet when we have it, it seems
like we become anxious and look for ways to fill it up. We tend to be better at
doing things than doing nothing; better at utilizing our mind and body, than
leaving it alone. To be open and vulnerable can also invite fear, but generally this
fear is a harmless "paper tiger," and without basis. If we give ourselves to empty
moments and become open and vulnerable, we invite change and transformation
and allow ourselves to be molded by the various conditions of our lives, an
impartial observer in faith in the process. Without imposing how things ought to
be, we can observe how things are, and humbly find our place.
* * *
I have been in Chengdu, China for only a couple of days now, and am amazed at the
incredible warmth, genuineness, and happiness of the people here. They are right up
there with the Thai and Nepalese in this regard, and my perception of a cold, serious
people has been erased. Of course this is only one city, but it is one of the largest in
China. It has been a good lesson for me to be here as it has demonstrated in a very real
hear from sources that may be very biased.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 6, 2011
"Space" in our lives is a very valuable thing, and yet when we have it, it seems
like we become anxious and look for ways to fill it up. We tend to be better at
doing things than doing nothing; better at utilizing our mind and body, than
leaving it alone. To be open and vulnerable can also invite fear, but generally this
fear is a harmless "paper tiger," and without basis. If we give ourselves to empty
moments and become open and vulnerable, we invite change and transformation
and allow ourselves to be molded by the various conditions of our lives, an
impartial observer in faith in the process. Without imposing how things ought to
be, we can observe how things are, and humbly find our place.
* * *
Today I went looking for a famous temple in Chengdu dedicated to Manjusri
Bodhisattva, associated with Wisdom.
The temple, Wenshu, is a very large thousand year old temple; but I mistook it for
another temple even though I cautiously had my hotel staff write the name in Chinese
and showed it to a beggar at the gate who affirmed I was at the right place, and then
once inside I showed it to not one, but two nuns in robes, who also affirmed that it was
another temple even though I cautiously had my hotel staff write the name in Chinese a
young sweet Chinese women who was strolling with her aunt and asked her where and
showed it to a beggar at the gate who affirmed I was at the right place, and then the
Manjusri temple was. She offered to walk my son and I there; and off we went. once
inside I showed it to not one, but two nuns in robes, who also affirmed that it was
Moral of the story is one I know well from experience: people in robes often don't
temple for an hour I got the nagging feeling the temple was not the one I was looking
earn the right to wear them. The two lying nuns proved the point; while the common
layperson demonstrated the kindness of heart of a true dharma practitioner. Many lay
people wear robes in their heart while many who where robes on the outside only
cover corruption inside. Don't be fooled by appearances.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 8, 2011
The Buddhist custom of transferring the merit of one's activities to all living beings,
quite naturally leads one to be more conscious of the fact that there is merit in one's
activities to transfer.
* * *
The Buddhist custom of transferring the merit of one's activities to all living beings,
quite naturally leads one to be more conscious of the fact that there is merit in one's
activities to transfer.
* * *
The attendant to HH Trulshik Rinpoche told me that I need only recite the Vajra Guru Mantra to be in the
presence of the guru. He made this remark after I had lamented that I missed seeing him on my recent visit to
Kathmandu, as he was in retreat in his mountain hermitage, Tupten Cholling, in the Solu Khumbu region in
Nepal. I have found over the years that the closest disciples of teachers visit them the least frequently, while
those who are less close, find a greater need to see them more often. So, the attendants simple words are a
valuable reminder for me.
* * *
presence of the guru. He made this remark after I had lamented that I missed seeing him on my recent visit to
Kathmandu, as he was in retreat in his mountain hermitage, Tupten Cholling, in the Solu Khumbu region in
Nepal. I have found over the years that the closest disciples of teachers visit them the least frequently, while
those who are less close, find a greater need to see them more often. So, the attendants simple words are a
valuable reminder for me.
* * *
My son remarked today that disturbing emotions vanish as soon as you look for the owner. Indeed,
ask: "To whom to these disturbing emotions arise?"
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 11, 2011
Words cloaked in anger lose their meaning. If making a point leads you towards anger, it is better not to make
it.
* * *
Words cloaked in anger lose their meaning. If making a point leads you towards anger, it is better not to make
it.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 12, 2011
I had dinner yesterday with a Tibetan man living in Switzerland who was the son of one of Tibet's
many years to study Buddhist Philosophy and the Tibetan language. He told me that he wants to write
a book on meditation; but confessed he doesn't meditate. He said instead he wanders around to
hospitals volunteering to nurture the sick and take care of them, and often goes to orphanages to play
light he saw in the eyes of those he assisted and brought genuine heartfelt warmth to. Who said that
meditation was confined to a certain posture!
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 13, 2011
Well deserved criticism is a free lesson and we should pay our respects to the one offering it.
* * *
I had dinner yesterday with a Tibetan man living in Switzerland who was the son of one of Tibet's
many years to study Buddhist Philosophy and the Tibetan language. He told me that he wants to write
a book on meditation; but confessed he doesn't meditate. He said instead he wanders around to
hospitals volunteering to nurture the sick and take care of them, and often goes to orphanages to play
light he saw in the eyes of those he assisted and brought genuine heartfelt warmth to. Who said that
meditation was confined to a certain posture!
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 13, 2011
Well deserved criticism is a free lesson and we should pay our respects to the one offering it.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 14,2011
If you can't understand your son, daughter, wife, husband, close friend, how will you understand the
Buddha? Buddhist practice begins with both feet on the ground, understanding one's fellow human
beings.
* * *
If you can't understand your son, daughter, wife, husband, close friend, how will you understand the
Buddha? Buddhist practice begins with both feet on the ground, understanding one's fellow human
beings.
* * *
If you can't understand your son, daughter, wife, husband, close friend, how will you understand the
Buddha? Buddhist practice begins with both feet on the ground, understanding one's fellow human
beings.
Buddha? Buddhist practice begins with both feet on the ground, understanding one's fellow human
beings.
Thought for the Day: August 15,2011
Spiritual gains can be lost just like material ones; and that is why the Chinese Buddhist say: "Guard
you Light." I know for my own experience that the carelessness with my own behaviour and people in
my life I have fallen back and given up hard earned gain many times. I now often reflect on the work I
often refered to as "vigillance" and "right effort."
* * *
Spiritual gains can be lost just like material ones; and that is why the Chinese Buddhist say: "Guard
you Light." I know for my own experience that the carelessness with my own behaviour and people in
my life I have fallen back and given up hard earned gain many times. I now often reflect on the work I
often refered to as "vigillance" and "right effort."
* * *
We either own our emotions or our emotions own us. When our emotions own us, we are like
puppets on strings getting pulled about this way and that according to the dictates of our emotions.
However, when we own our emotions, our emotions are like clay which we can mold and cause to
Because this is so, strong emotions such as anger and lust, are powerful sources of energy that we can
use to fulfill our real goals and not helplessly turned upside down by them.
* * *
humbleness, humility, and an offering to the Buddhas and bodhisatvas of our commitment to the
suitable for us, it is also very healthy and good exercise.
Yesterday evening my son, Kailash, invited me to go for dinner downstairs at a nearby restaurant (we
are travelling in China.) I said OK and was getting ready to go; but changed my mind. I have a heart
condition called arrhythmia that comes occasionally, about once a month and lasts about fifteen
hours. But the other day began a tenacious one that hadn't ended for about forty-eight hours.
Remembering my teachers words, I changed my mind and told my son I would stay back and that he
should go alone. While he was gone I did prostrations and by the time he returned I had converted to
normal.
Prostrations have converted my arrhythmia many times. While we should have higher motivations for
doing prostrations, they are indeed a kind of yoga that is very beneficial for the health, particularly
breathing, back, and legs. When the body bends down and our head touches the ground it is like an
accordion, with the air expelled completely, and as we arise we take in air and again fill our lungs. It is
a kind of pranayama. The benefits to the legs and back are obvious. So prostrations have these health
advantages that can serve as motivation as we develop faith, humility, and a humble attitude.
* * *
suitable for us, it is also very healthy and good exercise.
Yesterday evening my son, Kailash, invited me to go for dinner downstairs at a nearby restaurant (we
are travelling in China.) I said OK and was getting ready to go; but changed my mind. I have a heart
condition called arrhythmia that comes occasionally, about once a month and lasts about fifteen
hours. But the other day began a tenacious one that hadn't ended for about forty-eight hours.
Remembering my teachers words, I changed my mind and told my son I would stay back and that he
should go alone. While he was gone I did prostrations and by the time he returned I had converted to
normal.
Prostrations have converted my arrhythmia many times. While we should have higher motivations for
doing prostrations, they are indeed a kind of yoga that is very beneficial for the health, particularly
breathing, back, and legs. When the body bends down and our head touches the ground it is like an
accordion, with the air expelled completely, and as we arise we take in air and again fill our lungs. It is
a kind of pranayama. The benefits to the legs and back are obvious. So prostrations have these health
advantages that can serve as motivation as we develop faith, humility, and a humble attitude.
* * *
I wish it hadn't come to mind today; but the saying of the Buddhist master Seng Chao, came to mind
today. He said: "Beware of the person who is trying to help you." He was referring to spiritual advice,
those who know little are anxious to talk your head off. Today I was offered a bewildering amount of
laugh over.
I began by pointing out the temple's Chinese name to someone I saw working on his laptop in the
hotel lobby. He spoke to me in Chinese which did not help me and anyway after some going back and
forth in hand gestures I realized he knew as little as I did about how to get there. I was about to give
up with him, but suddenly realized that maybe he could go on "Baidu" the Chinese "Google" and get
directions. Getting this point across was a real feat, but after a few minutes he figured out what I
meant and soon was writing out for me what he had found on his laptop search. Armed with
directions written in Chinese, accept for two bus numbers, which were in English, so I could
recognize which bus to get on, I was off on the street with what seemed like Kunming's other
forty-three million inhabitants. I jumped on the correctly numbered bus with Kai, my son, but then
realized that I did not know where to get off to catch the second bus. I showed my directions to the
bus driver, who said he would announce it, but realized by that he meant the automated
announcement in Chinese, that comes with every stop (at least that is what I thought, but don't know
for sure, because after travelling a very long distance, I asked a passenger, and was told to get out
right where I was, and since there was a chorus of agreement with all the other passengers who
overheard my inquiry, we jumped out.) While waiting for the connecting bus, I showed my Chinese
directions to a few other people, but there seemed to be no agreement as to whether the connecting
bus number was right or not. Moreover, it seemed like a few people were saying the first bus number
was the one I should be on, 83. It was all Chinese to me, but I finally figured out that indeed I got off
the first bus too soon and waited for it to come again, number 83. Got on that and showed the bus
driver my directions, and this time stayed near him and waited for him to tell me where to get off;
which I did, as told. But, now it turns out that the C3 connecting bus came, but the driver said that it
didn't go to the temple I wanted to go (showing him my directions in Chinese, and I couldn't
understand which bus to get on when he told me.) But, all the waiting passengers for a variety of
destinations knew which bus I should get on, only problem was as I handed them pen and paper,
they wrote different bus numbers (Chinese can often write bus numbers that they can't say because
bus numbers are in English and Chinese.) After some time and many buses passing, one fellow
dragged me by my arm and put me on C1, my son in tow; and thankfully it was the right one. I
showed the driver my hand written name of the Chinese temple and he put us out there. Ah! Arrived.
Getting back was easier; the same driver who dropped us; saw us beside the road outside the temple
and picked us up. We caught the 83 into town after he dropped us, but because of a combination of
bus driver and passenger consensus, got off long before our destination; so, as with going, we took
the 83 twice and finally arrived. Whew!
* * *
today. He said: "Beware of the person who is trying to help you." He was referring to spiritual advice,
those who know little are anxious to talk your head off. Today I was offered a bewildering amount of
laugh over.
I began by pointing out the temple's Chinese name to someone I saw working on his laptop in the
hotel lobby. He spoke to me in Chinese which did not help me and anyway after some going back and
forth in hand gestures I realized he knew as little as I did about how to get there. I was about to give
up with him, but suddenly realized that maybe he could go on "Baidu" the Chinese "Google" and get
directions. Getting this point across was a real feat, but after a few minutes he figured out what I
meant and soon was writing out for me what he had found on his laptop search. Armed with
directions written in Chinese, accept for two bus numbers, which were in English, so I could
recognize which bus to get on, I was off on the street with what seemed like Kunming's other
forty-three million inhabitants. I jumped on the correctly numbered bus with Kai, my son, but then
realized that I did not know where to get off to catch the second bus. I showed my directions to the
bus driver, who said he would announce it, but realized by that he meant the automated
announcement in Chinese, that comes with every stop (at least that is what I thought, but don't know
for sure, because after travelling a very long distance, I asked a passenger, and was told to get out
right where I was, and since there was a chorus of agreement with all the other passengers who
overheard my inquiry, we jumped out.) While waiting for the connecting bus, I showed my Chinese
directions to a few other people, but there seemed to be no agreement as to whether the connecting
bus number was right or not. Moreover, it seemed like a few people were saying the first bus number
was the one I should be on, 83. It was all Chinese to me, but I finally figured out that indeed I got off
the first bus too soon and waited for it to come again, number 83. Got on that and showed the bus
driver my directions, and this time stayed near him and waited for him to tell me where to get off;
which I did, as told. But, now it turns out that the C3 connecting bus came, but the driver said that it
didn't go to the temple I wanted to go (showing him my directions in Chinese, and I couldn't
understand which bus to get on when he told me.) But, all the waiting passengers for a variety of
destinations knew which bus I should get on, only problem was as I handed them pen and paper,
they wrote different bus numbers (Chinese can often write bus numbers that they can't say because
bus numbers are in English and Chinese.) After some time and many buses passing, one fellow
dragged me by my arm and put me on C1, my son in tow; and thankfully it was the right one. I
showed the driver my hand written name of the Chinese temple and he put us out there. Ah! Arrived.
Getting back was easier; the same driver who dropped us; saw us beside the road outside the temple
and picked us up. We caught the 83 into town after he dropped us, but because of a combination of
bus driver and passenger consensus, got off long before our destination; so, as with going, we took
the 83 twice and finally arrived. Whew!
* * *
of "I" is connected with these basic "necessities;" a sense of "I"which of course is created by our own
thinking. Nevertheless, the task of dharma practice is not to ban modern conveniences in its effort to
material things and fosters the "I" sense in association with them.
attaches to material things and fosters the "I" sense in association with them.
world while still fostering such attachment is not a solution, because it is not the objects themselves
that create the attachments, but rather the way we think about them. If we were to suddenly get rid of
the familiar things in our lives that we attach to, our mind by force of habit would continue looking
for something to attach to. This is why those who leave the world for the monastic life have so much
difficulty during their early years, and many give up and return to lay life.
If we can gradually turn our lives to selfless service, then the objects that are necessities for that
service will not be a source of attachment, and therefore the source of "I" connected with them will
be stilled. This transformation is a gradual practice that will extend over years as we contemplate our
relationship with our world and the things and people in it, and see where selfish intention is the
primary source of motivation and little by little eliminate this kind of intention and discover ways to
bring the welfare of others as our concern, and in so deepen our practice of non-attachment.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 20, 2011
I have been in China a couple of weeks now and have already spoken in my "Thoughts" about the
incredible warmth and kindness of the people here; but I must bring it up again; because now I am in
Beijing; and this is where everything was supposed to change and the people become serious and
stone faced. Well, not so.
Kai and I arrived in Beijing airport and decided to brave the subway system to our hotel, rather than
book a taxi, which cost three times as much and takes twice as long. I was really wanting to take the
taxi, though, because I was afraid we might not make it to the hotel at all on the subway, a necessary
transfer, and getting off no doubt some distance from the hotel.
With little difficulty and thanks to an airport information booth we got the subway from the airport.
And, with the help of some passengers, figured out where to get off the first train and on to the
second one. (If you ask enough people you will find one who knows a tiny amount of English and
then you ask them to write your destination in Chinese and show that to people on the train and they
push you off when you get there.)
We got dumped in the middle of a non-remarkable area and no hotel in sight. So I stopped someone
in the street who was travelling on foot with several companions hoping that he could recognize the
hotel name in English and point me in the right direction. He was clueless and began to walk away
with his friends, but I obliged him to take a moment while I call the hotel and ask the hotel staff to
tell him in Chinese where I should be going, thinking that at least he could point me in the right
direction. This he did, but was not content to point me the way, but insisted on walking me there. I
thought it must be close, as his companions all agreed to come along. But, we walked at least twenty
minutes and he seemed to be getting a bit lost himself, and so he asked another person on the way,
who seemed quite sure of the way, but he too was not content to point it out, and decided to join the
party. We finally arrived at our hotel after going through some alleys and walkways with no fewer
than six guides, all so thoughtful and cheerful. I was really moved.
The hospitality and warmth we have received in China has been a real lesson in kindness. Moreover,
not only have the Chinese been kind, but light hearted and often laughing with me as we tried to
bridge language gaps with pictures and hand gestures. It has been great fun getting to know these
people better.
* * *
thinking. Nevertheless, the task of dharma practice is not to ban modern conveniences in its effort to
material things and fosters the "I" sense in association with them.
attaches to material things and fosters the "I" sense in association with them.
world while still fostering such attachment is not a solution, because it is not the objects themselves
that create the attachments, but rather the way we think about them. If we were to suddenly get rid of
the familiar things in our lives that we attach to, our mind by force of habit would continue looking
for something to attach to. This is why those who leave the world for the monastic life have so much
difficulty during their early years, and many give up and return to lay life.
If we can gradually turn our lives to selfless service, then the objects that are necessities for that
service will not be a source of attachment, and therefore the source of "I" connected with them will
be stilled. This transformation is a gradual practice that will extend over years as we contemplate our
relationship with our world and the things and people in it, and see where selfish intention is the
primary source of motivation and little by little eliminate this kind of intention and discover ways to
bring the welfare of others as our concern, and in so deepen our practice of non-attachment.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 20, 2011
I have been in China a couple of weeks now and have already spoken in my "Thoughts" about the
incredible warmth and kindness of the people here; but I must bring it up again; because now I am in
Beijing; and this is where everything was supposed to change and the people become serious and
stone faced. Well, not so.
Kai and I arrived in Beijing airport and decided to brave the subway system to our hotel, rather than
book a taxi, which cost three times as much and takes twice as long. I was really wanting to take the
taxi, though, because I was afraid we might not make it to the hotel at all on the subway, a necessary
transfer, and getting off no doubt some distance from the hotel.
With little difficulty and thanks to an airport information booth we got the subway from the airport.
And, with the help of some passengers, figured out where to get off the first train and on to the
second one. (If you ask enough people you will find one who knows a tiny amount of English and
then you ask them to write your destination in Chinese and show that to people on the train and they
push you off when you get there.)
We got dumped in the middle of a non-remarkable area and no hotel in sight. So I stopped someone
in the street who was travelling on foot with several companions hoping that he could recognize the
hotel name in English and point me in the right direction. He was clueless and began to walk away
with his friends, but I obliged him to take a moment while I call the hotel and ask the hotel staff to
tell him in Chinese where I should be going, thinking that at least he could point me in the right
direction. This he did, but was not content to point me the way, but insisted on walking me there. I
thought it must be close, as his companions all agreed to come along. But, we walked at least twenty
minutes and he seemed to be getting a bit lost himself, and so he asked another person on the way,
who seemed quite sure of the way, but he too was not content to point it out, and decided to join the
party. We finally arrived at our hotel after going through some alleys and walkways with no fewer
than six guides, all so thoughtful and cheerful. I was really moved.
The hospitality and warmth we have received in China has been a real lesson in kindness. Moreover,
not only have the Chinese been kind, but light hearted and often laughing with me as we tried to
bridge language gaps with pictures and hand gestures. It has been great fun getting to know these
people better.
* * *
Wholesome dharmas when attached to become hindrances. Whether it be meditation, vegetarian
eating, prayers and rituals, service to others, we must constantly look deep within and make sure that
our good actions do not become a source of ego clinging. It is an almost impossible task. As a monk
studying under my precept Master Hsuan Hua, he would shift people around constantly, ever causing
them to doubt their own practice. His wisdom could easily penetrate and see his disciple's clinging to
more difficult and often find myself clinging to the form of my meditation and dharma practice and
lacking the skill to root it out.
Dharma practice is never fixed, even though it may never change over the years. This is because the
mind manifests itself in the practice and the nature of mind is ever changing. We get stuck when
practice loses its ever changing quality. Then we stagnate and rituals that should be reborn daily, be
to change the form of our practice; but learn how to go deeper without changing the form. It is we
who give life to our practice and not the other way around. Under the guidance of a Master it is
much easier to see this; but as laymen we must work much harder.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 24,2011
Being lost, and finding yourself with nowhere to go, are two different matters; which, without the
benefit of good instructions, you are unlikely to discriminate.
* * *
Being lost, and finding yourself with nowhere to go, are two different matters; which, without the
benefit of good instructions, you are unlikely to discriminate.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 26,2011
My life has been blessed with great teachers and many who don't consider themselves teachers at all.
The Buddha said: "even stones teach the dharma." By this he meant to pay attention to the ordinary
world. "Ignorance" is never going to cease by itself, taking the world and ourselves without some
questioning, doubting, if things are really as they appear. Ordinary people offer money and valuables
in exchange for material gain, they endure physical suffering for health and fitness; but, ordinary
people also give their wealth and make physical sacrifice for benefits that are not so tangible; there is
also a willingness to make sacrifices for something sensed within, but not yet known. It is faith that
what others have known, they can know, too, that enlightenment is for everyone.
Within the world of Buddhism there are many realized masters to inspire us, and temples and
images of deities to support our worship. But, simple pilgrims can offer us as much and sometimes
more, and the nature that we often enjoy without a thought, can be the stimulus for deep spiritual
inquiry, if we care to peer beneath the appearance of phenomena; there too we can see the deity.
* * *
My life has been blessed with great teachers and many who don't consider themselves teachers at all.
The Buddha said: "even stones teach the dharma." By this he meant to pay attention to the ordinary
world. "Ignorance" is never going to cease by itself, taking the world and ourselves without some
questioning, doubting, if things are really as they appear. Ordinary people offer money and valuables
in exchange for material gain, they endure physical suffering for health and fitness; but, ordinary
people also give their wealth and make physical sacrifice for benefits that are not so tangible; there is
also a willingness to make sacrifices for something sensed within, but not yet known. It is faith that
what others have known, they can know, too, that enlightenment is for everyone.
Within the world of Buddhism there are many realized masters to inspire us, and temples and
images of deities to support our worship. But, simple pilgrims can offer us as much and sometimes
more, and the nature that we often enjoy without a thought, can be the stimulus for deep spiritual
inquiry, if we care to peer beneath the appearance of phenomena; there too we can see the deity.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 27,2011
Reason may not be able to take hold and present for us the nature of reality; but it does a very good job
of presenting that which obstructs our seeing its nature. It is affirmed in many sutra texts that it is our
ordinary everyday world that reveals the ultimate truth; it is not the case that the ultimate presents itself
to us apart from and independent of our ordinary world and thought process. The teachings are very
clear on this point, so our effort should always try to understand our common familiar world better, and
let this become the door that reveals the spiritual world we thirst to know.
* * *
Reason may not be able to take hold and present for us the nature of reality; but it does a very good job
of presenting that which obstructs our seeing its nature. It is affirmed in many sutra texts that it is our
ordinary everyday world that reveals the ultimate truth; it is not the case that the ultimate presents itself
to us apart from and independent of our ordinary world and thought process. The teachings are very
clear on this point, so our effort should always try to understand our common familiar world better, and
let this become the door that reveals the spiritual world we thirst to know.
* * *
Thought for the Day: August 29,2011
Blessings are the result of our good actions in the past; but my teacher often reminded his monks and nuns, "to
use your blessings, is to exhaust your blessings." I was reminded of this today while at the famous Panjiayuan
flea market in Beijing when I discovered my camera was no longer on my shoulder. I hoped I had left it with my
son and went to find him at the crowded market; but he didn't have it. I "knew" now it was history, as well as
many of the photos on it. I remembered setting it down for a moment at one of the stalls and wanted to go there;
but my son said that it might be where we sat on a stair as I showed him a purchase I had made. It was three
flights of stairs, several hundred feet long in front of many shops with many people sitting and resting on them.
We went there, and I could hardly believe my eyes; Yes! it was still there.
Reflecting on this I know it was more than just luck, and that I did something right in the past for that costly
camera to be sitting where I had left it. But, I also know that had I been more mindful, I wouldn't have forgotten
it to begin with. And, whatever good I accumulated in the past might not have been exhausted on this lapse of mindfulness.
But, it also points to the fact that we should always, at every opportunity, cultivate blessings to cover our rear when we need it.
* * *
Blessings are the result of our good actions in the past; but my teacher often reminded his monks and nuns, "to
use your blessings, is to exhaust your blessings." I was reminded of this today while at the famous Panjiayuan
flea market in Beijing when I discovered my camera was no longer on my shoulder. I hoped I had left it with my
son and went to find him at the crowded market; but he didn't have it. I "knew" now it was history, as well as
many of the photos on it. I remembered setting it down for a moment at one of the stalls and wanted to go there;
but my son said that it might be where we sat on a stair as I showed him a purchase I had made. It was three
flights of stairs, several hundred feet long in front of many shops with many people sitting and resting on them.
We went there, and I could hardly believe my eyes; Yes! it was still there.
Reflecting on this I know it was more than just luck, and that I did something right in the past for that costly
camera to be sitting where I had left it. But, I also know that had I been more mindful, I wouldn't have forgotten
it to begin with. And, whatever good I accumulated in the past might not have been exhausted on this lapse of mindfulness.
But, it also points to the fact that we should always, at every opportunity, cultivate blessings to cover our rear when we need it.
* * *
There are many ways to cultivate blessings, but in general, it is never very predictable. The daily practice of in
with a certain mindfulness and knowledge of what we are doing. But, the real blessing from these practices is not
in these "staged' practices, but rather it is in the post meditation period, where we have the spontaneous real
blessings are cultivated.
unfamiliar. That is why post meditation practice is so difficult; opportunities to express the inner life we feel in
meditation, usually happens in situations where our footing is lost and we must act without forethought or
adjustment. These opportunities reflect our real understanding; and we often fail; but what fun would the game
be if it were otherwise?
* * *
with a certain mindfulness and knowledge of what we are doing. But, the real blessing from these practices is not
in these "staged' practices, but rather it is in the post meditation period, where we have the spontaneous real
blessings are cultivated.
unfamiliar. That is why post meditation practice is so difficult; opportunities to express the inner life we feel in
meditation, usually happens in situations where our footing is lost and we must act without forethought or
adjustment. These opportunities reflect our real understanding; and we often fail; but what fun would the game
be if it were otherwise?
* * *
will be more effective in dealing with it if it does. This is one of the functions of the form of meditation known
as analytical meditation. Just as a wise person who is building a house contemplates the materials and design least
vulnerable to fire, and thereby creates a safer home, so too do we gain mastery of our afflictive emotions by
contemplating their faults before they arise; like the builder and the fire-safe home he constructs.
* * *
as analytical meditation. Just as a wise person who is building a house contemplates the materials and design least
vulnerable to fire, and thereby creates a safer home, so too do we gain mastery of our afflictive emotions by
contemplating their faults before they arise; like the builder and the fire-safe home he constructs.
* * *