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We cannot live without creating karma; in fact the world appears because of the
beneficial or not. This is very important because our actions create patterns of
beneficial or not. This is very important because our actions create patterns of
behaviour that are either positive or negative or neutral. Once we have cultivated
behaviour that are either positive or negative or neutral. Once we have cultivated
an overall positive way of being, the next step is to examine which actions (karma)
create desire and which ones don't. In other words, within a positive framework of
behaviour we take an additional step, and look at our lives in terms of how we can
diminish our desires. The reason we wish to take this additional step forward is
that well principled action is often difficult to see when veiled by desire, even if they
are wholesome ones. So, always strive for higher principles of action.
Understanding what these higher principles are is why we are taught to study,
contemplate, and meditate.
* * *
Even though the ultimate truth cannot be known, it is our human nature to search
for it. Until we find out for ourselves that it is unknowable, we can never know the
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 3, 2012
When Christ said, "Do not toss your pearls amongst swine," he echoed the
Buddhist precept of a monk which requires that the dharma is not spoken at
improper times. Sharing the dharma is a wonderful gift, like sharing a treasure; but
we must be sensitive to whether or not the occasion is suitable and the recipient is
ready. Many masters will not speak a word of dharma unless requested in a very
formal way. This is to preserve the sanctity of the teachings. Whether we know a
little or a lot, whatever has benefited us, can benefit others also. But, we can also
diminish our own inner wealth by being careless with our speech. We should have
a sense of protecting our gains as much as sharing them.
* * *
for it. Until we find out for ourselves that it is unknowable, we can never know the
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 3, 2012
When Christ said, "Do not toss your pearls amongst swine," he echoed the
Buddhist precept of a monk which requires that the dharma is not spoken at
improper times. Sharing the dharma is a wonderful gift, like sharing a treasure; but
we must be sensitive to whether or not the occasion is suitable and the recipient is
ready. Many masters will not speak a word of dharma unless requested in a very
formal way. This is to preserve the sanctity of the teachings. Whether we know a
little or a lot, whatever has benefited us, can benefit others also. But, we can also
diminish our own inner wealth by being careless with our speech. We should have
a sense of protecting our gains as much as sharing them.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 4, 2012
A monk once asked the Master Seng-t'san: "What is the path to liberation?" To
which the master replied: "Who binds you?" The student replied: "No one binds
me." Seng-t'san replied: "Why then do you want to be liberated?"
All of us have a sense of perfection within us that wish to know better. In this
dialogue between a master and disciple I think the master is gently telling his
student that it may be more helpful to think less about what enlightenment is and
contradiction. On the one hand he is asking about the path to liberation and on
the other he is saying that no one binds him. Of course he is binding himself, and
the master is urging him to look into just how he may be doing that.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 5, 2012
One of the main functions of meditation is to bring our faults to the surface.
Many who begin a meditation practice forget this part. It is unhelpful during any
stage of the path to forget the fact that if we are to move forward, we must be
more aware of what is holding us back. And, whether we are a beginner or
advanced practitioner it can sometimes feel that meditation is beating us up and
this can be discouraging. Whoever said it was supposed to be fun?
* * *
A monk once asked the Master Seng-t'san: "What is the path to liberation?" To
which the master replied: "Who binds you?" The student replied: "No one binds
me." Seng-t'san replied: "Why then do you want to be liberated?"
All of us have a sense of perfection within us that wish to know better. In this
dialogue between a master and disciple I think the master is gently telling his
student that it may be more helpful to think less about what enlightenment is and
contradiction. On the one hand he is asking about the path to liberation and on
the other he is saying that no one binds him. Of course he is binding himself, and
the master is urging him to look into just how he may be doing that.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 5, 2012
One of the main functions of meditation is to bring our faults to the surface.
Many who begin a meditation practice forget this part. It is unhelpful during any
stage of the path to forget the fact that if we are to move forward, we must be
more aware of what is holding us back. And, whether we are a beginner or
advanced practitioner it can sometimes feel that meditation is beating us up and
this can be discouraging. Whoever said it was supposed to be fun?
* * *
The study of Buddhist philosophy and rules of conduct are inextricably linked.
Sometimes it may seem that the study of philosophy, understanding the various
Sometimes it may seem that the study of philosophy, understanding the various
attachment, which in turn will make it almost impossible to follow the way of go
it alone without it, we will have great difficulty bringing an end to desire and
proper conduct in an uncontrived and natural manner. When philosophy is
pursued it helps us to understand the illusory nature of all that we deem so real
and gradually diminish our attachment and clinging. We will find that the
owning it.
Sometimes it may seem that the study of philosophy, understanding the various
Sometimes it may seem that the study of philosophy, understanding the various
attachment, which in turn will make it almost impossible to follow the way of go
it alone without it, we will have great difficulty bringing an end to desire and
proper conduct in an uncontrived and natural manner. When philosophy is
pursued it helps us to understand the illusory nature of all that we deem so real
and gradually diminish our attachment and clinging. We will find that the
owning it.
If we shrug our shoulders and say the world is what it is we are either more
meaning to their words.
* * *
meaning to their words.
* * *
Fearlessness is a quality that is very central to Buddhist practice. It is fear that
prevents many people from developing a meditation practice to begin with, and
fear that causes many to quit once they have begun. The saying, "When the
Buddha grows a foot, the demon is already ten feet tall," is giving us advance
warning of what to expect when we set off on the path of self discovery.
Genuine practice is always "bitter practice," as my teachers often said; and
most that isn't is self induced delusional states. Ironically, to see the Light, we
must peer into the darkest recesses of our mind.
* * *
prevents many people from developing a meditation practice to begin with, and
fear that causes many to quit once they have begun. The saying, "When the
Buddha grows a foot, the demon is already ten feet tall," is giving us advance
warning of what to expect when we set off on the path of self discovery.
Genuine practice is always "bitter practice," as my teachers often said; and
most that isn't is self induced delusional states. Ironically, to see the Light, we
must peer into the darkest recesses of our mind.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 9, 2012
Working within the boundries of our understanding will more effectively
enable us to reach outside them than trying to understand what we don't.
Practice is a process whereby we find more skillful and subtle ways to use our
butting our heads against a wall.
* * *
Working within the boundries of our understanding will more effectively
enable us to reach outside them than trying to understand what we don't.
Practice is a process whereby we find more skillful and subtle ways to use our
butting our heads against a wall.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 10, 2012
Sometimes I make Ghee, Indian "clarified butter." It is simple to make by
gently simmering ordinary butter until the curd separates from it along with
any other impurities and then straining it into a clean jar. Ghee's shelf like is
like honey; because all the impurities are removed it can sit on a shelf for a long
while. But if the jar that we put it in or the spoon we use to take it out is not
perfectly clean, then the ghee will go bad just like ordinary butter.
Dharma teachings are like ghee and we are like vessels receiving it. During our
Wednesday night dharma class last evening, my friend Ron read a passage from
the Yoga Vasistha which stressed the importance of making oneself a "worthy
vessel" of the teachings. This Hindu text echoes precisely the Buddhist
teachings, as well. We must prepare ourselves for the teachings.
Many are anxious to receive teachings on meditation, but find teachings on
conduct and the development of virtue tedious and unnecessary. So the pure
ghee gets poured in an unclean container. The result is that concentration is
developed without wisdom or compassion, useless psychic powers and the
ability to sit in trance often contributes to the delusion that one is spiritually
engaged; while what is really developing is enhanced confusion.
The Shurangama Sutra, more than any other perhaps, warns us of the dangers
of confusing psychic states for spiritual gains, attaching to them, and by virtue
of this attachment falling into unfavorable and deluded states of confusion,
rather than the clear bright enlightened awareness of the wisdom mind.
So, while your head is in the heavens, keep your feet on the ground.
* * *
Sometimes I make Ghee, Indian "clarified butter." It is simple to make by
gently simmering ordinary butter until the curd separates from it along with
any other impurities and then straining it into a clean jar. Ghee's shelf like is
like honey; because all the impurities are removed it can sit on a shelf for a long
while. But if the jar that we put it in or the spoon we use to take it out is not
perfectly clean, then the ghee will go bad just like ordinary butter.
Dharma teachings are like ghee and we are like vessels receiving it. During our
Wednesday night dharma class last evening, my friend Ron read a passage from
the Yoga Vasistha which stressed the importance of making oneself a "worthy
vessel" of the teachings. This Hindu text echoes precisely the Buddhist
teachings, as well. We must prepare ourselves for the teachings.
Many are anxious to receive teachings on meditation, but find teachings on
conduct and the development of virtue tedious and unnecessary. So the pure
ghee gets poured in an unclean container. The result is that concentration is
developed without wisdom or compassion, useless psychic powers and the
ability to sit in trance often contributes to the delusion that one is spiritually
engaged; while what is really developing is enhanced confusion.
The Shurangama Sutra, more than any other perhaps, warns us of the dangers
of confusing psychic states for spiritual gains, attaching to them, and by virtue
of this attachment falling into unfavorable and deluded states of confusion,
rather than the clear bright enlightened awareness of the wisdom mind.
So, while your head is in the heavens, keep your feet on the ground.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 11, 2012
Think highly of yourself; if you don't, how will you ever have the courage to
practice the Buddhadharma?
* * *
Think highly of yourself; if you don't, how will you ever have the courage to
practice the Buddhadharma?
* * *
When my children were younger I would take them Christmas shopping for
gifts for their friends; it would seem that for every gift they would find for a
friend, five others would pop up for themselves. And, for me, even now, when
I shop for others, I have to work to keep thoughts of things I need out of
mind. This demonstrates in a simple way just how much selfishness is
ingrained within us.
Although it is an illusion that external objects can be a source of happiness, it
is a difficult illusion to escape. Until we do, however, we simply have to
restrain ourselves and discriminate well true needs from wants. Giving to
others, whether it be time, wealth, or material things, puts us in the midst of
the fray and is the best way to eventually escape it.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day to all Moms
My teacher, Master Hsuan Hua, following the Chinese custom of Filial Piety,
honored his mother by sitting at her grave for three years, three months, and
three days, on a lonely hilltop in bitterly cold Manchuria. He sat in a small
grass thatched hut and wore only one layer of thin cotton cloth during the
entire time. While summers may be pleasant, winters fall below -50 F. He ate
one simple meal a day which the villagers below provided. Thus he sat in
meditation repaying his debt of gratitude towards her. He was only eighteen
years old when he began.
Our mothers and many people in the world, both living and past on, have
been kind to us and served us in many ways. Occasionally giving time to
reflect upon the people who have made a difference in our lives, the kindness
shown to us, and the debt of gratitude we have towards them, will make us
more keenly aware of the responsibility we have to others, as well.
* * *
If it is not your path to practice any religion and yet you still want to attain
without offering any commentary.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 15, 2012
There was a time before books and teachers, but as time evolved both came
into being. My debt of gratitude goes out to those who observed our world
and themselves and had the presence of mind not to "think" about what they
saw, but to pay attention by listening to what their heart was telling them. It is
to those humble souls who recognized their inability to grasp with their
intellect or use their distinction making mind to make sense of the world, and
surrendered to their own ignorance, and listened and learned and taught what
was revealed to them.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 16, 2012
HH Dudjom Rinpoche, one of the most revered Buddhist Masters of our
time, points out that while serving our guru we should not think of ourselves
as benefiting him in any way.
I find this teaching very interesting because I find myself often thinking that
my actions benefit or harm my teachers. I think it is an almost natural way we
are conditioned to think. Our very language "serving the guru" etc, tends to
condition us to think this way.
Recently I enjoyed a conversation with the author Gary Zukav who told of an
incident with my Master, Hsuan Hua, which echoes this very point. Gary
asked my teacher, "What can I do to make you happy?" My teacher looked at
him and said: "Nothing you can do can make me happy."
* * *
thief who would daily go on rooftops and steal copper wire. One day it
anything he could to keep him from falling, but everything he grabbed seemed
to break and he kept sliding to a sure death. Finally in desperation he prayed
to God, "Oh Lord, please save me and I promise never to steal again." And
yet, he kept sliding and repeating his prayer. Finally, while just on the brink of
falling off the roof, he got his belt stuck on a large nail sticking out and was
saved from falling. Yet, not a moment later he was renouncing his vow not to
When I reflect on this story I find myself as guilty as the thief who renounced
his vow on the pretense that the blessing didn't come in the form he
anticipated. Surely this is a cautionary tale for many of us to guard our good
some way or other, and should protect what we have earned.
On a similar note, my teacher, Master Hsuan Hua, often said: "To use your
blessings, is to exhaust your blessings." Whatever blessings came our way we
should put in our little blessing bank and keep them there; one day
unexpectedly they may protect us from harm.
* * *
anything he could to keep him from falling, but everything he grabbed seemed
to break and he kept sliding to a sure death. Finally in desperation he prayed
to God, "Oh Lord, please save me and I promise never to steal again." And
yet, he kept sliding and repeating his prayer. Finally, while just on the brink of
falling off the roof, he got his belt stuck on a large nail sticking out and was
saved from falling. Yet, not a moment later he was renouncing his vow not to
When I reflect on this story I find myself as guilty as the thief who renounced
his vow on the pretense that the blessing didn't come in the form he
anticipated. Surely this is a cautionary tale for many of us to guard our good
some way or other, and should protect what we have earned.
On a similar note, my teacher, Master Hsuan Hua, often said: "To use your
blessings, is to exhaust your blessings." Whatever blessings came our way we
should put in our little blessing bank and keep them there; one day
unexpectedly they may protect us from harm.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 20, 2012
One of things my teacher, Master Hsuan Hua, often said was the simple
instruction: "Try your best." I guess he wouldn't have said it so often, if he
didn't expect us to find every growing meaning within these simple
instructions. On the one hand, it may mean to exert yourself; and this was the
way I most often took it during my early years with him. But, later it also
came to me as saying "relax" and recognize when you have done your part and
it is time to leave things alone. Somewhere between exertion and rest is the
balance that brings all our wishes to fruition; and finding it is not an easy task.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 21, 2012
The mind would much rather wander and feed on any random thought than
sit quietly and munch on a meditation topic. It is sort of like a child who likes
mind grows up, and realizes that munching on the meditation topic is far
more satisfying than following after random thoughts. From this contentment
arises, and the next step is disturbing this contentment a little bit with the
question," Who is content?"
* * *
"You can't have it all" is often said, and it is true. But, we can make the best
with what we have. If we do this, what we have is "enough," but if we don't
we will always want more.
* * *
One of things my teacher, Master Hsuan Hua, often said was the simple
instruction: "Try your best." I guess he wouldn't have said it so often, if he
didn't expect us to find every growing meaning within these simple
instructions. On the one hand, it may mean to exert yourself; and this was the
way I most often took it during my early years with him. But, later it also
came to me as saying "relax" and recognize when you have done your part and
it is time to leave things alone. Somewhere between exertion and rest is the
balance that brings all our wishes to fruition; and finding it is not an easy task.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 21, 2012
The mind would much rather wander and feed on any random thought than
sit quietly and munch on a meditation topic. It is sort of like a child who likes
mind grows up, and realizes that munching on the meditation topic is far
more satisfying than following after random thoughts. From this contentment
arises, and the next step is disturbing this contentment a little bit with the
question," Who is content?"
* * *
"You can't have it all" is often said, and it is true. But, we can make the best
with what we have. If we do this, what we have is "enough," but if we don't
we will always want more.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 22, 2012
There are many aids to meditation that are employed during the post
meditation period, when we are off our meditation cushion and tending to
beneficial. This is doing what needs to be done with a strong sense of purpose
which in turn enables us to perform the task with a mind focused upon the
task. In other words, we are engaged with what we are doing and not
distracted thinking about what comes next, etc.
A busy life does not necessarily mean a busy mind. If we feel our mind is
crowded with many ideas as we do what need be done, it will feel like we are in a
crowded theater with someone yelling "fire." We will be constantly looking
for the exit, our mind on the next task without having yet completed the
present one. This is very tiring for the mind and we will feel worn out and
unmotivated as we tend to our day.
In Buddhist monasteries it is taught, when washing dishes, just wash dishes, when
sweeping floors, just sweep floors, meaning settle the mind in the present. This is
easier said than done, but it is something to strive for, and the natural
destination that seated meditation leads to.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 23, 2012
We live in a booby-trapped world, and must move like a Samurai warrior to
avoid them. Guarding the mind will prevent a distraction from becoming an
attraction. Vigilance is necessary to prevent distractions from arising; we have
to quickly recognize when our mind begins to wander, and bring it back. Like
a good mother watching over a new born, we must anticipate problems, before
they become "problems."
* * *
There are many aids to meditation that are employed during the post
meditation period, when we are off our meditation cushion and tending to
beneficial. This is doing what needs to be done with a strong sense of purpose
which in turn enables us to perform the task with a mind focused upon the
task. In other words, we are engaged with what we are doing and not
distracted thinking about what comes next, etc.
A busy life does not necessarily mean a busy mind. If we feel our mind is
crowded with many ideas as we do what need be done, it will feel like we are in a
crowded theater with someone yelling "fire." We will be constantly looking
for the exit, our mind on the next task without having yet completed the
present one. This is very tiring for the mind and we will feel worn out and
unmotivated as we tend to our day.
In Buddhist monasteries it is taught, when washing dishes, just wash dishes, when
sweeping floors, just sweep floors, meaning settle the mind in the present. This is
easier said than done, but it is something to strive for, and the natural
destination that seated meditation leads to.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 23, 2012
We live in a booby-trapped world, and must move like a Samurai warrior to
avoid them. Guarding the mind will prevent a distraction from becoming an
attraction. Vigilance is necessary to prevent distractions from arising; we have
to quickly recognize when our mind begins to wander, and bring it back. Like
a good mother watching over a new born, we must anticipate problems, before
they become "problems."
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 24, 2012
our good knowing advisors, those selfless and virtuous spiritual teachers who
inner growth, and it is not really a choice, but rather a obligation to share our
knowledge with others. If we had prepared a meal for ourselves and a guest
arrived it would be only natural to offer some of our food to our guest. The
blessings that have been bestowed upon us by our teachers should be shared
as well, by reflecting them in the actions of our body, speech, and mind; in
other words teaching by example, or when requested, formally offering
thought we knew was only an assumption of knowledge, and we are not as
clear as we thought on the subject we "assumed" we were clear on. Getting
rid of these assumptions will inspire us to learn our own lessons.
* * *
our good knowing advisors, those selfless and virtuous spiritual teachers who
inner growth, and it is not really a choice, but rather a obligation to share our
knowledge with others. If we had prepared a meal for ourselves and a guest
arrived it would be only natural to offer some of our food to our guest. The
blessings that have been bestowed upon us by our teachers should be shared
as well, by reflecting them in the actions of our body, speech, and mind; in
other words teaching by example, or when requested, formally offering
thought we knew was only an assumption of knowledge, and we are not as
clear as we thought on the subject we "assumed" we were clear on. Getting
rid of these assumptions will inspire us to learn our own lessons.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 25, 2012
If when thoughts arise we judge them in any way, then we are not doing the
job of meditation, which is simply to watch thoughts. Moreover, our
judgement will lead to favoring some kinds of thoughts and distancing
ourselves from others, preventing us from seeing them as all the same, one
of the purposes of meditation. Each and every thoughts simply reflects the
nature of mind, just as a mirror reflects whatever images are before it.
Whatever appears before a mirror is a reflection, none more so than the
other. Our job is to be like the mirror and simply reflect what comes to
mind, without blocking anything out, holding on to anything, or trying to
change anything. Simply learning to leave oneself alone is the task at hand,
don't embrace anything or reject anything. Realize all arises from the same
source and reflects that source; and know that through believing it. Believe
that within each and every thought is the seed to enlightenment, whatever
that thought may be. So, understand a single thought, any thought and you
understand all thoughts, and thereby the true mind from which they arise,
the clear bright all knowing awareness mind.
* * *
If when thoughts arise we judge them in any way, then we are not doing the
job of meditation, which is simply to watch thoughts. Moreover, our
judgement will lead to favoring some kinds of thoughts and distancing
ourselves from others, preventing us from seeing them as all the same, one
of the purposes of meditation. Each and every thoughts simply reflects the
nature of mind, just as a mirror reflects whatever images are before it.
Whatever appears before a mirror is a reflection, none more so than the
other. Our job is to be like the mirror and simply reflect what comes to
mind, without blocking anything out, holding on to anything, or trying to
change anything. Simply learning to leave oneself alone is the task at hand,
don't embrace anything or reject anything. Realize all arises from the same
source and reflects that source; and know that through believing it. Believe
that within each and every thought is the seed to enlightenment, whatever
that thought may be. So, understand a single thought, any thought and you
understand all thoughts, and thereby the true mind from which they arise,
the clear bright all knowing awareness mind.
* * *
There is no "ultimately right" way to do anything; and thinking that there
is will cause us to give our mind more completely to dharma activities than
ordinary activities. There is nothing but our "intention" and "mindfulness"
that prevents an ordinary activity to become a dharma activity. So we
should not elevate so called spiritual practices, and diminish the value of
ordinary activities by thinking them "ordinary" and thereby lapsing in
mindfulness of our intention and mindfulness itself. If we can learn to look
upon all activities and thoughts like a good mother tries to regard her
children, equally, we will lift up both the common and spiritual.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 27, 2012
Sometimes our own practice of dharma can become a distraction and it can
become difficult to recognize when we are clinging to our "spiritual"
practice at the expense of what genuinely needs tending to. We should
always be pliant and recognize when we are clinging to practice and those
times when to let go. Recognizing "Right Action" can be obscured if we
"grasp" and "cling" to the form of our practice. Try and find opportunity
everywhere.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 29, 2012
Words and language may not be able to express the nature of reality, but
they can indicate it. That is why study and contemplation are so important
in mind training. If we don't study and listen to authentic teachings, our
meditation can be likened to trying to measure infinite space with a ruler.
Meditation can help us remove the obstacles to seeing our enlightened
present. How can we produce something that is beginningless? When we
study and contemplate the knowledge we gain will help us become more
aware of the clinging to self that is the root of all our disturbing emotions.
So, the idea that meditation is going to produce a bright illumined mind
should be banned forever; but it can remove the blindfolds so that we can
see what is brightly shinning now and has been all along.
* * *
Words and language may not be able to express the nature of reality, but
they can indicate it. That is why study and contemplation are so important
in mind training. If we don't study and listen to authentic teachings, our
meditation can be likened to trying to measure infinite space with a ruler.
Meditation can help us remove the obstacles to seeing our enlightened
present. How can we produce something that is beginningless? When we
study and contemplate the knowledge we gain will help us become more
aware of the clinging to self that is the root of all our disturbing emotions.
So, the idea that meditation is going to produce a bright illumined mind
should be banned forever; but it can remove the blindfolds so that we can
see what is brightly shinning now and has been all along.
* * *
Thought for the Day, May 30, 2012
Once when I was living on the top of thee hill only a few yards from the
had been given to him by a tourist visiting. The label had a muscle man
flexing his muscles, and the young scrawny monk, Tsumpa, wanted to
muscle man on the label. I was laughing so hard it took me a while to
answer.
The above story does, however, illustrate a fact of human nature: we all
like to be positive about possibilities, without really thinking about what
bringing those possibilities to fruition entails. In terms of the dharma,
many teachers package it very neatly, proclaiming an "effortless" path and
the value of "transmissions," both of which do exist within the Buddha
dharma. But, these paths require a lot of stage setting to be of real value.
The Buddha taught a lot about foundation work to make oneself a clean
vessel for the dharma to be poured into. Teachers who do not emphasize
the importance of this are misleading their students like "snake oil their
benefit, and not the students.
Whether it be a book or a teacher, we must examine carefully what is being
offered, as HH Dali Lama says, sniffing it front and rear, like a dog sniffs
another dog. Only when we are confident of the genuineness of the
offering, should we proceed further and make a greater commitment.
* * *
Once when I was living on the top of thee hill only a few yards from the
had been given to him by a tourist visiting. The label had a muscle man
flexing his muscles, and the young scrawny monk, Tsumpa, wanted to
muscle man on the label. I was laughing so hard it took me a while to
answer.
The above story does, however, illustrate a fact of human nature: we all
like to be positive about possibilities, without really thinking about what
bringing those possibilities to fruition entails. In terms of the dharma,
many teachers package it very neatly, proclaiming an "effortless" path and
the value of "transmissions," both of which do exist within the Buddha
dharma. But, these paths require a lot of stage setting to be of real value.
The Buddha taught a lot about foundation work to make oneself a clean
vessel for the dharma to be poured into. Teachers who do not emphasize
the importance of this are misleading their students like "snake oil their
benefit, and not the students.
Whether it be a book or a teacher, we must examine carefully what is being
offered, as HH Dali Lama says, sniffing it front and rear, like a dog sniffs
another dog. Only when we are confident of the genuineness of the
offering, should we proceed further and make a greater commitment.
* * *
more."
the only way we know life. However, we can "see more" and reach beyond
these limitations. Either we are dulled and dazed by our own contentment,
our five sense faculties and our distinction making thinking mind. This is
or beaten down by discontentment; whatever the case may be, both arise
from a pristine source of awareness that is our true enlightened mind that
The Buddha simply said that all experiences we have are "conditioned" by
our five sense faculties and our distinction making thinking mind. This is
the only way we know life. However, we can "see more" and reach beyond
these limitations. Either we are dulled and dazed by our own contentment,
or beaten down by discontentment; whatever the case may be, both arise
from a pristine source of awareness that is our true enlightened mind that
is not "conditioned" by the five sense faculties and the distinction making
mind. Spiritual practice aims to introduce us to this mind.
* * *
the only way we know life. However, we can "see more" and reach beyond
these limitations. Either we are dulled and dazed by our own contentment,
our five sense faculties and our distinction making thinking mind. This is
or beaten down by discontentment; whatever the case may be, both arise
from a pristine source of awareness that is our true enlightened mind that
The Buddha simply said that all experiences we have are "conditioned" by
our five sense faculties and our distinction making thinking mind. This is
the only way we know life. However, we can "see more" and reach beyond
these limitations. Either we are dulled and dazed by our own contentment,
or beaten down by discontentment; whatever the case may be, both arise
from a pristine source of awareness that is our true enlightened mind that
is not "conditioned" by the five sense faculties and the distinction making
mind. Spiritual practice aims to introduce us to this mind.
* * *