Khunying Chamnongsri gave a raisin test to experiment life in everyday living through the five doors of connecting the world. The

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Khunying Chamnongsri gave a raisin test to experiment life in everyday living through the five doors of connecting the world. The"

Transcription

1 BUDDHIST SUNDAY FORUM Topic : Buddhist View of Life and Death (with Personal Relationship as a Focus) Speaker : Khunying Chamnongsri (Rutnin) Hanchanlash Moderator: Dr. Chris Stanford Rapporteur: Suttinee Yavaprapas On March 10th, 2556(2013) 12: : P.M. at WBU meeting room, WFB Headquarters Bldg., in Benjasiri Park,Sukhumvit 22 24, Bangkok, Khunying Chamnongsri (Rutnin) Hanchanlash gave a lecture on Buddhist View of Life and Death (with Personal Relationship as a Focus). A native of Bangkok who received high school education in the UK, Khunying Chamnongsri is best known as a bi-lingual awardwinning writer, Buddhist meditator and philanthropist. After an early career as a journalist in an English language newspaper, she co-founded the Rutnin Eye Hospital on Asok Road with the late husband, ophthalmologist Uthai Rutnin. Khunying Chamnongsri has had long experiences of Buddhist meditation under teacher in the Forest Monastery lineage. Her current interest is in finding ways to help the dying to live their last days in physical, mental and spiritual peace and dignity. It is suffice to say that she is initiating plans to create public awareness of the need for adequate and compassionate end-of-life care in Thailand. At this juncture, she is actively involved in building Thailand s first universitybased free-standing hospice, a hospice for all ages and a health sanctuary for the aged by donating 100 rai of land near Hua Hin to Mahidol University, telling her children that this is their greatest inheritance. Her best sellers include Vicha Tua Bao ว ชาต วเบา (The Art of a Life of Lightness), and Ken Krok Long Kao เข นครกลงเขา (Rolling a Mortar Downhill). Notes written during her 3-months solitary retreat at SuanMok in Buddhadassa Bikkhu s lifetime and published as FonTok Yung Tong, Fah Rong Yung Tueng ฝนตกย งต องฟ าร องย ง ถ ง (Touched by Rain and Thunders) also a won a wide readership. Khunying Chamnongsri (Rutnin) Hanchanlash started her lecture related to life and death in its natural cycle of causality, viewed from the point of relationships. Looking at life objectively, we perceive that our life comprises of relationships from birth to death relationships with our mind, our body, others (possessions, people, animals, environment), and 1

2 our duties (work, responsibilities). Death as a part of this natural cycle causality is part of the topic. She said, My understanding of death, as a natural part of life, makes every living moment amazingly rich because it gives me a chance to learn, to renew, to reflect, to rectify, to forgive and to be truly alive. Life and death are actually one and the same matter. We will die in the same approach as how we live. If we live in ignorance, our final moment will be spent in distress, without peace and mindfulness. But if we always cultivate merits and self-consciousness, we will die peacefully. Life of the awakened one is to be aware of death all the time. There is readiness to confront death. And even when the mind does not yet feel ready, it can be further trained every day. When the body is going out; the mind is to go in a less Dukkha. Communication to the dying people can happen when the mind does not create the me here and there. At that point, the mind has space for sublime attitude (The Brahmaviharas) which is a series of four Buddhist virtues 1) lovingkindness 2) compassion 3) empathetic joy and 4) equanimity. Khunying Chamnongsri believes in getting the most out of every wonderful moment in life. She realizes that there are infinite possibilities because with every moment, every interaction, we reinvent ourselves. What we conventionally call ourselves or what we take to be 'I' or 'me can be understood in terms of five aggregates. The five aggregates refer to life from the fundamental components of personality. We cling to them as devices of our experience in life, and when they break up at death, a new set of aggregates, a new life arises to continue our experience in another existence. Thus we build up one set of aggregates after another, life after life, and in that way we accumulate Dukkha, the suffering, in the round of Samsara. The Buddha says that the five aggregates have to be fully understood. The purpose is to create the wisdom of not-self. We wish to see personal experience in terms of processes rather than in terms of a self and what affects a self. This should create equanimity leading us to overcome the emotional disruption of hope and fear about the things of the world. The five aggregates are our hindrance, yet, they provide us with wisdom. To bring suffering to an end we have to turn our attention around and see into the nature of the five aggregates: 1. material form 2. sensation 3. perception 4. mental formations 5. consciousness. Generally speaking, the first aggregate is our physical form. The second is made up of our feelings, emotional and physical, and our senses -- seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling. The third aggregate, perception, takes in most 2

3 of what we call thinking -- conceptualization, cognition, reasoning. This also includes the recognition that occurs when an organ comes into contact with an object. The object perceived may be a physical or mental object, such as an idea. The fourth aggregate, mental formations, includes habits, prejudices and predispositions. The causes and effects of karma are vital to the fourth aggregate. The fifth aggregate, consciousness, is awareness of or sensitivity to an object. To fully understand the five aggregates means to see them as they really are, in terms of the three characteristics of existence, that is, Anicca or Impermanence all conditioned things are in a constant state of flux and eventually cease to exist, Dhukka or Unsatisfactoriness nothing found in the physical world or the psychological realm can bring lasting deep satisfaction, and Anatta or Non-self nothing has a separate existence or a separate life, but everything has to inter-be with everything else. It is just a natural process. Wisdom is thus the ultimate benefit we can gain from nature. Man and nature are inseparable. We are no more important than nature, as nature is no more important than us. As such, man and nature are one. In this connection, Khunying Chamnongsri mentioned about the four noble truths as a conceptual framework for all of Buddhist thought. These four truths explain the nature of Dukkha, its causes, and how it can be overcome. There is the truth of suffering, the truth of the origination of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering. The four noble truths allow us to progressively reach the state of liberation and great wisdom. In other words, there is a state of transcending Dukkha with a path to peace and happiness. Buddhism is not a negative system and does not celebrate Dukkha as some people understand. Buddhism is not a system of belief, but a system of education to reach an inner wisdom. The experiential dimension is the most important dimension of Buddhism. The Buddha transformed his life not through belief but through experiential practice, where wisdom arises. In Buddhism, through study and meditation we develop three types of wisdom i.e. 1) Wisdom arisen from listening - the listening wisdom (suta-maya panya) 2) Wisdom arisen from contemplating-the wisdom of reflection (cinta-maya panya) 3) Wisdom arisen from meditation-the meditative wisdom (bhavana-maya panya). Khunying Chamnongsri gave a raisin test to experiment life in everyday living through the five doors of connecting the world. The 3

4 whole world is through sight, sound, taste, touch, smell and mind. Most people are not conscious of the working of the five aggregates as the most fundamental components of their personality. Just watch the mind and pay no attention to anyone else. Actually, no matter what we say, do or think, the effect on our own five aggregates should be the most interesting thing leaving an imprint within our mind. This is why mindfulness and being in the moment is so important. It creates the habit of our mind, which in turn influence future action, speech and thought. Khunying Chamnongsri passed out a small seed of raisin to each of us. We were asked to hold a raisin in one hand. Then we put it near our ear and listened to it. After that, we smelled it through our nose. Then we were asked to place one raisin on our tongue and to swish it around in our mouths, noticing how the flavour bursts on the tongue, noticing the texture. Then we were asked to chew the raisin, tasting it before we swallowed it. Khunying Chamnongsri reflected on her inspirations to write poetry in order to express, to teach, to explore the meaning of self and actuality. She was apparently trying to share her experience of studying and practicing Dharma. She mostly related her feelings and contemplation regarding the nature of the mind and how to develop mindfulness leading finally to wisdom. Khunying Chamnongsri pointed out daily problems such as loneliness, fear, attachment, anger, hatred and craving. She analysed the nature and the cause of these problems which could be solved by the wisdom cultivated through the serenity of the mind. Khunying Chamnongsri read some of her poems from her famous collection of poetry "On the White Empty Page" illustrating the beauty of silence and Buddhist meditative essence. Mirage Man makes masks for his own soul He looks at the masks I know myself (This is a relationship with the self. In our depression, we have nothing to go on. This is where we get the positive out of the negative.) Man makes mirrors for his own eyes He gazes at the mirrors I see myself (This is another delusion where we get the positive out of the Dukkha) Man makes images 4

5 for his own mind He points to the images These I love, those I hate. (This is a matter of relationship with the world out there. It is all through our verse composed of what we sense through sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and thought.) Man makes mirages for his life He looses himself in them This is happiness, this is sadness. (This is an answer to a lot of things. Dukkha comes from the delusion. We can understand through our choice in the five aggregates.) In closing her talk, Khunying Chamnongsri played a piece of inspirational music and asked us to create a room with wall made of music. She encouraged us to be very still with the self and pay no attention with the music. Any movement will disturb the peaceful energy of the room. We were asked to write anything we wanted and gave it away. It was a training to have liberation from the mirrors or expectations. We should not keep the paper which symbolized expectations from ourselves. With this final workshop, we can develop the right attitude to remain calm no matter what happened in life. 5

There are three tools you can use:

There are three tools you can use: Slide 1: What the Buddha Thought How can we know if something we read or hear about Buddhism really reflects the Buddha s own teachings? There are three tools you can use: Slide 2: 1. When delivering his

More information

BUDDHISM. All know the Way, but few actually walk it. Don t believe anything because a teacher said it, you must experience it.

BUDDHISM. All know the Way, but few actually walk it. Don t believe anything because a teacher said it, you must experience it. BUDDHISM All know the Way, but few actually walk it. Don t believe anything because a teacher said it, you must experience it. Some Facts About Buddhism 4th largest religion (488 million) The Buddha is

More information

The 36 verses from the text Transcending Ego: Distinguishing Consciousness from Wisdom

The 36 verses from the text Transcending Ego: Distinguishing Consciousness from Wisdom The 36 verses from the text Transcending Ego: Distinguishing Consciousness from Wisdom, written by the Third Karmapa with commentary of Thrangu Rinpoche THE HOMAGE 1. I pay homage to all the buddhas and

More information

Anicca, Anatta and Interbeing The Coming and Going in the Ocean of Karma

Anicca, Anatta and Interbeing The Coming and Going in the Ocean of Karma Anicca, Anatta and Interbeing The Coming and Going in the Ocean of Karma Three Marks of Existence 1. Discontent (dukkha or duhkha) 2. Impermanence (anicca or anitya) 3. No self (anatta or anatman) Impermanence

More information

The ABCs of Buddhism

The ABCs of Buddhism The ABCs of Buddhism (14 October 2525/1982) by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu Friends! I know that you are interested in studying and seeking the Buddhist way of giving up all the problems of life, which may be summed

More information

The Three Characteristics of All Things and Interbeing

The Three Characteristics of All Things and Interbeing The Three Characteristics of All Things and Interbeing On the night of his Enlightenment, the Buddha saw clearly that all things share three basic characteristics. The Buddha saw that understanding this

More information

Notes from the Teachings on Mahamudra, by Lama Lodu, January 26 th, 2008

Notes from the Teachings on Mahamudra, by Lama Lodu, January 26 th, 2008 1 Notes from the Teachings on Mahamudra, by Lama Lodu, January 26 th, 2008 The lineage blessings are always there, very fresh. Through this we can get something from these teachings. From the three poisons

More information

Buddhism. Introduction. Truths about the World SESSION 1. The First Noble Truth. Buddhism, 1 1. What are the basic beliefs of Buddhism?

Buddhism. Introduction. Truths about the World SESSION 1. The First Noble Truth. Buddhism, 1 1. What are the basic beliefs of Buddhism? Buddhism SESSION 1 What are the basic beliefs of Buddhism? Introduction Buddhism is one of the world s major religions, with its roots in Indian theology and spirituality. The origins of Buddhism date

More information

The Benevolent Person Has No Enemies

The Benevolent Person Has No Enemies The Benevolent Person Has No Enemies Excerpt based on the work of Venerable Master Chin Kung Translated by Silent Voices Permission for reprinting is granted for non-profit use. Printed 2000 PDF file created

More information

'This was spoken by the Buddha at Savatthi.

'This was spoken by the Buddha at Savatthi. Insight Meditation, and most of what I teach is based on the teachings of the Buddha. His teachings were carried forward in time through an oral tradition hearing, saying, repeating, checking with others

More information

Ānāpānasati Sutta (M.N) Practicing One Object Brings Liberation Breathing Meditation

Ānāpānasati Sutta (M.N) Practicing One Object Brings Liberation Breathing Meditation Ānāpānasati Sutta (M.N) Practicing One Object Brings Liberation Breathing Meditation All Buddhist doctrines focus on developing, virtue, mindfulness and wisdom. As much as we are able to practice these

More information

I -Precious Human Life.

I -Precious Human Life. 4 Thoughts That Turn the Mind to Dharma Lecture given by Fred Cooper at the Bodhi Stupa in Santa Fe Based on oral instruction by H.E. Khentin Tai Situpa and Gampopa s Jewel Ornament of Liberation These

More information

The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths The Discourse of Clansman Kulaputta Sutta (Samyutta Nikaya-Sacca Samyutta) Here, in the discourse of clansman, Kulaputta Sutta, The Buddha declares the importance of understanding the four noble truths.

More information

Nowadays the world is active with the global project of sustainable. Virtue Training: Buddhist Response to Sustainable Development and Social Change

Nowadays the world is active with the global project of sustainable. Virtue Training: Buddhist Response to Sustainable Development and Social Change 11 Virtue Training: Buddhist Response to Sustainable Development and Social Change Natpiya Saradum Nowadays the world is active with the global project of sustainable development. Most countries have several

More information

The Five Spiritual Faculties ('Panca Indriyadhamma' පඤ චඉන ද ර යධම ම - in Pali)

The Five Spiritual Faculties ('Panca Indriyadhamma' පඤ චඉන ද ර යධම ම - in Pali) The Five Spiritual Faculties ('Panca Indriyadhamma' පඤ චඉන ද ර යධම ම - in Pali) The main purpose of all Buddhist doctrines is to show the path of getting rid of suffering (or unsatisfactoriness). For that

More information

The Core Teachings: An Overview

The Core Teachings: An Overview The Core Teachings: An Overview Editor Xianyang Carl Jerome introduces and explains 15 of Buddhism's key teachings. THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS The four noble truths summarize the Buddha's view of the human

More information

Workshops and lectures being offered by Ven. Ani Pema in. Bangalore / Mumbai / Pune / Nashik (March April 2018)

Workshops and lectures being offered by Ven. Ani Pema in. Bangalore / Mumbai / Pune / Nashik (March April 2018) Workshops and lectures being offered by Ven. Ani Pema in Bangalore / Mumbai / Pune / Nashik (March 2018 - April 2018) Ven. Ani Pema is visiting different cities in India from early March until end of April,

More information

Well-Being, Buddhism and Economics

Well-Being, Buddhism and Economics Well-Being, Buddhism and Economics Cassey Lee School of Economics Faculty of Commerce University of Wollongong Wellbeing Conference 7 July 2010 Introduction Significant interest in happiness research in

More information

So this sense of oneself as identity with the body, with the conditions that. A Visit from Venerable Ajahn Sumedho (Continued) Bodhi Field

So this sense of oneself as identity with the body, with the conditions that. A Visit from Venerable Ajahn Sumedho (Continued) Bodhi Field Indeed the fear of discomfort is the main reason, at least for me in the past, to step beyond our self-made cage. Almost all people have fears of one kind or another. I remember once I asked a group of

More information

Mindfulness and its Correlation to Awakening (Nibbana) Radhika Abeysekera

Mindfulness and its Correlation to Awakening (Nibbana) Radhika Abeysekera Mindfulness and its Correlation to Awakening (Nibbana) Radhika Abeysekera Mindfulness is almost a household word among health care professionals and educators in the West. In the twenty first century,

More information

It Is Not Real - The Heart Sutra From a Collection of Works by Edward Muzika. The Heart Sutra !" प र मत )दय

It Is Not Real - The Heart Sutra From a Collection of Works by Edward Muzika. The Heart Sutra ! प र मत )दय The Heart Sutra!" प र मत )दय The Heart Sutra, along with the Diamond Sutra, are the keystones to Zen. When at Mt. Baldy, we would chant the Heart Sutra in Japanese twice a day. When I was with Seung Sahn

More information

Dependent Origination. Buddha s Teaching

Dependent Origination. Buddha s Teaching Dependent Origination Buddha s Teaching [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract

More information

cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 Dependent origination Paṭiccasamuppāda Christina Garbe

cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 Dependent origination Paṭiccasamuppāda Christina Garbe cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 Dependent origination Paṭiccasamuppāda Christina Garbe Now after physical and mental phenomena, matter and mentality, are explained, one might wonder where these physical

More information

Sympathetic Joy. SFVS Brahma Vihara Month March 2018 Mary Powell

Sympathetic Joy. SFVS Brahma Vihara Month March 2018 Mary Powell Sympathetic Joy SFVS Brahma Vihara Month March 2018 Mary Powell It is important to understand how much your own happiness is linked to that of others. There is no individual happiness totally independent

More information

LAM RIM CHENMO EXAM QUESTIONS - set by Geshe Tenzin Zopa

LAM RIM CHENMO EXAM QUESTIONS - set by Geshe Tenzin Zopa LAM RIM CHENMO EXAM QUESTIONS - set by Geshe Tenzin Zopa 15-8-10 Please write your student registration number on the answer sheet provided and hand it to the person in charge at the end of the exam. You

More information

What are the Four Noble Truths

What are the Four Noble Truths What are the Four Noble Truths IBDSCL, Aug. 4 th, 5 th Good morning! Welcome to the International Buddha Dharma Society for Cosmic Law to listen to today s Dharma talk. This month, our subject is the Four

More information

The Five Skandhas. In Buddhism, one of the ways of categorizing these various components is into what we call the five skandhas.

The Five Skandhas. In Buddhism, one of the ways of categorizing these various components is into what we call the five skandhas. The Five Skandhas Introduction The Sanskrit word skandha means an aggregate or heap. When we start to look more closely at what it is that makes up this thing we call I, we see that there are a number

More information

Peace of the Ultimate Sunday Sermon, Skinner Chapel, Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota, June 21, 2009 By Ajahn Chandako

Peace of the Ultimate Sunday Sermon, Skinner Chapel, Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota, June 21, 2009 By Ajahn Chandako Peace of the Ultimate Sunday Sermon, Skinner Chapel, Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota, June 21, 2009 By Ajahn Chandako Thank you. You know, I really don t go to church all that often so it is a real

More information

Ayya Khema In Buddhism We are constantly trying to reaffirm self.

Ayya Khema In Buddhism We are constantly trying to reaffirm self. N o - S e l f In this article, Ayya Khema examines the concept of self so that we can deepen our understanding of no-self, which is the essence of the Buddha s teaching. 14 In Buddhism we use the words

More information

cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 Insight-meditation Vipassanā-bhāvanā Christina Garbe

cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 Insight-meditation Vipassanā-bhāvanā Christina Garbe cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 Insight-meditation Vipassanā-bhāvanā Christina Garbe MN 149, Mahāsaḷayatanika Sutta, the Great Discourse on the Sixfold Base And what things should be developed by direct

More information

Book-Review. Thich Nhat Hahn, Understanding Our Mind, New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, Rs.295. ISBN:

Book-Review. Thich Nhat Hahn, Understanding Our Mind, New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, Rs.295. ISBN: Book-Review Thich Nhat Hahn, Understanding Our Mind, New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2008. Rs.295. ISBN: 978-81-7223-796-7. The Book Review, No. XXXIII, Vol. 5, 2009: 10-11. Thich Nhat Hahn,

More information

5 The Ceremony of Taking Refuge in the Bodhisattva Way

5 The Ceremony of Taking Refuge in the Bodhisattva Way 5 The Ceremony of Taking Refuge in the Bodhisattva Way REFUGE Cantor: When knowing stops, when thoughts about who we are fall away, vast space opens up and love appears. Anything that gets in the way

More information

The Six Paramitas (Perfections)

The Six Paramitas (Perfections) The Sanskrit word paramita means to cross over to the other shore. Paramita may also be translated as perfection, perfect realization, or reaching beyond limitation. Through the practice of these six paramitas,

More information

PEACE BEYOND SUFFERING

PEACE BEYOND SUFFERING PEACE BEYOND SUFFERING ALL AUDIO FILES quick reference INDEX A note regarding numbering the first number on the left is the order of this list, the last number on the right [the number in brackets] is

More information

ANAPANASATI SUTTA PUJA. Written by Viveka For Dhanakosa Retreat 2005 WORSHIP

ANAPANASATI SUTTA PUJA. Written by Viveka For Dhanakosa Retreat 2005 WORSHIP ANAPANASATI SUTTA PUJA Written by Viveka For Dhanakosa Retreat 2005 WORSHIP I recollect Shakyamuni Buddha, who renounced luxury and privilege to face the truth of suffering, and discover a pathway out.

More information

As always, it is very important to cultivate the right and proper motivation on the side of the teacher and the listener.

As always, it is very important to cultivate the right and proper motivation on the side of the teacher and the listener. HEART SUTRA 2 Commentary by HE Dagri Rinpoche There are many different practices of the Bodhisattva one of the main practices is cultivating the wisdom that realises reality and the reason why this text

More information

Contents: Introduction...1 MINDFULNESS...2 WISDOM...6 R RECOGNIZE IT...13 A ACCEPT IT D DEPERSONALIZE IT...15 I INVESTIGATE IT...

Contents: Introduction...1 MINDFULNESS...2 WISDOM...6 R RECOGNIZE IT...13 A ACCEPT IT D DEPERSONALIZE IT...15 I INVESTIGATE IT... Contents: Introduction...1 MINDFULNESS...2 WISDOM...6 R RECOGNIZE IT...13 A ACCEPT IT... 14 D DEPERSONALIZE IT...15 I INVESTIGATE IT... 18 C CONTEMPLATE IMPERMANENCE...20 L LET IT GO... 28 INTRODUCTION

More information

THE INTIMATE MIND Olmo Ling. All rights reserved.

THE INTIMATE MIND Olmo Ling. All rights reserved. THE INTIMATE MIND CONTENTS Foreword xi by H. H. 33rd Menri Trizin, Abbot of Menri PART I THE THOUGHT THAT TURNS THE MIND TOWARD ITS ESSENCE 1 Introduction 3 2 The Way of the Intimate Mind 7 Qualities of

More information

Buddhism. What are you? I am awake. Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Buddhism. What are you? I am awake. Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Buddhism What are you? I am awake. Buddha (563-483 BCE) Four Passing Sights Old age Disease Death Monk Quest for fulfillment Self-indulgence (path of desire) Asceticism (path of renunciation) Four Noble

More information

Finding Peace in a Troubled World

Finding Peace in a Troubled World Finding Peace in a Troubled World Melbourne Visit by His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, May 2003 T hank you very much for the warm welcome and especially for the traditional welcome. I would like to welcome

More information

SIXTY STANZAS OF REASONING

SIXTY STANZAS OF REASONING Sanskrit title: Yuktisastika-karika Tibetan title: rigs pa drug cu pa SIXTY STANZAS OF REASONING Nagarjuna Homage to the youthful Manjushri. Homage to the great Sage Who taught dependent origination, The

More information

Fifty Verses on the Nature of Consciousness by Thich Nhat Hanh

Fifty Verses on the Nature of Consciousness by Thich Nhat Hanh Fifty Verses on the Nature of Consciousness by Thich Nhat Hanh Store Consciousness One Mind is a field In which every kind of seed is sown. This mind-field can also be called "All the seeds". Two In us

More information

AhimsaMeditation.org. Insight Meditation: Vipassana

AhimsaMeditation.org. Insight Meditation: Vipassana AhimsaMeditation.org Insight Meditation: Vipassana About Insight Meditation A big leap in development of your meditation practice lies with vipassana or insight meditation practice, which is going a bit

More information

Right Mindfulness. The Seventh Factor in the Noble Eightfold Path

Right Mindfulness. The Seventh Factor in the Noble Eightfold Path Right Mindfulness The Seventh Factor in the Noble Eightfold Path What is Right Mindfulness? Here a practitioner abides focused on the body in itself, on feeling tones in themselves, on mental states in

More information

Saddha (සද ධ ) Confidence in the Triple Gem

Saddha (සද ධ ) Confidence in the Triple Gem Saddha (සද ධ ) Confidence in the Triple Gem Whenever someone thinks about the Buddha's enlightenment, his teachings and his noble disciples, his mind is very pure, calm and happy. At that moment, mind

More information

Buddhism and Society - Aspects of the Four Noble Truths and Spiritual Friendship

Buddhism and Society - Aspects of the Four Noble Truths and Spiritual Friendship Buddhism and Society - Aspects of the Four Noble Truths and Spiritual Friendship Venerable Zhen Yuan 1* 1 Lecturer, Faculty of Religious Studies, International Buddhist College, Thailand * Corresponding

More information

Ut-pa-la. Publisher: Lama Tsultrim Gyaltsen Issued by: KTC-NJ Editors: Lama Tswang Rinpoche Lama Tashi Gawa Ya-wen Lee Design: Ya-wen Lee

Ut-pa-la. Publisher: Lama Tsultrim Gyaltsen Issued by: KTC-NJ Editors: Lama Tswang Rinpoche Lama Tashi Gawa Ya-wen Lee Design: Ya-wen Lee Jan. 2007 NO.02 : !!,,,,,,,,,,:,,;,,,,,,, (KTC-NJ) Ut-pa-la,,,,,, Ut-pa-la! 2007.01, Ut-pa-la,,,,,! : : : : Publisher: Lama Tsultrim Gyaltsen Issued by: KTC-NJ Editors: Lama Tswang Rinpoche Lama Tashi

More information

Samyutta Nikaya XXII.122. Silavant Sutta. Virtuous. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. For free distribution only.

Samyutta Nikaya XXII.122. Silavant Sutta. Virtuous. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. For free distribution only. Samyutta Nikaya XXII.122 Silavant Sutta Virtuous Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. For free distribution only. Introduction: Silavant Sutta tells us the many stages of holiness and its practice

More information

The Meaning of Prostrations - by Lama Gendun Rinpoche

The Meaning of Prostrations - by Lama Gendun Rinpoche The Meaning of Prostrations - by Lama Gendun Rinpoche Why do we do Prostrations? 1.The Purification of Pride - First of all, we should know why we do prostrations. We do not do them to endear ourselves

More information

The Discourse of Ingorance Avijja Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya, Dasaka Nipatha) (The Way How to Overcome Ignorance)

The Discourse of Ingorance Avijja Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya, Dasaka Nipatha) (The Way How to Overcome Ignorance) The Discourse of Ingorance Avijja Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya, Dasaka Nipatha) (The Way How to Overcome Ignorance) As much as we read or listen to Buddha's message, our wisdom gradually increases. It means

More information

Transcript of the oral commentary by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on Maitreya s Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana, Chapter One: The Tathagata Essence

Transcript of the oral commentary by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on Maitreya s Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana, Chapter One: The Tathagata Essence Transcript of the oral commentary by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on Maitreya s Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana, Chapter One: The Root verses from The : Great Vehicle Treatise on the Sublime Continuum

More information

Morning Service A. Heart Sutra (English) Hymn to the Perfection of Wisdom Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo Eko Merging of Difference and Unity Eko

Morning Service A. Heart Sutra (English) Hymn to the Perfection of Wisdom Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo Eko Merging of Difference and Unity Eko Heart Sutra (English) Hymn to the Perfection of Wisdom Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo Eko Merging of Difference and Unity Eko Chant book pages to announce: Heart Sutra p. 5 Hymn to the Perfection of Wisdom p.

More information

Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom

Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom The teachings of the Buddha consist of three trainings: morality, concentration, and wisdom. These three trainings also summarize the Noble Eightfold Path, the only

More information

Evangelism: Defending the Faith

Evangelism: Defending the Faith BUDDHISM Part 2 Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) was shocked to see the different aspects of human suffering: Old age, illness and death and ultimately encountered a contented wandering ascetic who inspired

More information

Four Noble Truths. The truth of suffering

Four Noble Truths. The truth of suffering Four Noble Truths By His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala, India 1981 (Last Updated Oct 10, 2014) His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave this teaching in Dharamsala, 7 October 1981. It was translated by

More information

The Berkeley Buddhist Priory Newsletter March-April, Learning to Listen by Rev. Jisho Perry

The Berkeley Buddhist Priory Newsletter March-April, Learning to Listen by Rev. Jisho Perry The Berkeley Buddhist Priory Newsletter March-April, 2004 Do not chase after entanglements as though they were real things. Do not try to drive away pain by pretending it is not real. Pain, if you seek

More information

Through mindfulness, clear comprehension and calming the senses, a meditative mind arises and our practice flourishes, as Ayya Khema explains here.

Through mindfulness, clear comprehension and calming the senses, a meditative mind arises and our practice flourishes, as Ayya Khema explains here. The Meditative Mind Through mindfulness, clear comprehension and calming the senses, a meditative mind arises and our practice flourishes, as Ayya Khema explains here. 28 People are often surprised to

More information

A-level Religious Studies

A-level Religious Studies A-level Religious Studies RSS09 World Religions 1: Buddhism OR Hinduism OR Sikhism Report on the Examination 2060 June 2014 Version: 1.0 Further copies of this Report are available from aqa.org.uk Copyright

More information

Cultivation in daily life with Venerable Yongtah

Cultivation in daily life with Venerable Yongtah Cultivation in daily life with Venerable Yongtah Ten Minutes to Liberation Copyright 2017 by Venerable Yongtah All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission

More information

Investigating fear, contemplating death

Investigating fear, contemplating death Investigating fear, contemplating death Dhamma talk on the 27 th of June 2009 and the 9 th of May 2016 People are afraid of many things going hungry, meeting new people, seeing creatures like scorpions

More information

Buddhism 101. Distribution: predominant faith in Burma, Ceylon, Thailand and Indo-China. It also has followers in China, Korea, Mongolia and Japan.

Buddhism 101. Distribution: predominant faith in Burma, Ceylon, Thailand and Indo-China. It also has followers in China, Korea, Mongolia and Japan. Buddhism 101 Founded: 6 th century BCE Founder: Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha Enlightened One Place of Origin: India Sacred Books: oldest and most important scriptures are the Tripitaka,

More information

Dependent Co-Arising American Bodhi Center February 10-12, 2017

Dependent Co-Arising American Bodhi Center February 10-12, 2017 American Bodhi Center February 10-12, 2017 A workshop with Bhikkhu Cintita of Sitagu Buddha Vihara, Austin 1. Overview American Bodhi Center February 10-12, 2017 A workshop with Bhikkhu Cintita of Sitagu

More information

The Buddha s Path Is to Experience Reality

The Buddha s Path Is to Experience Reality The Buddha s Path Is to Experience Reality The following has been condensed from a public talk given by S.N. Goenka in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 1989. You have all assembled here to understand what

More information

The Two, the Sixteen and the Four:

The Two, the Sixteen and the Four: The Two, the Sixteen and the Four: Explaining the Divisions of Emptiness Topic: The Divisions of Emptiness Author Root Text: Mahasiddha Chandrakirti Author Commentary: The First Dalai Lama Gyalwa Gedun

More information

Dealing with pain and emotions Dhamma talk on the 30th August 2015

Dealing with pain and emotions Dhamma talk on the 30th August 2015 Dhamma talk on the 30th August 2015 When you go back home, you should compare your ordinary life with life in this monastery. Monastic life is not easy sometimes, but most of the time there is a certain

More information

Lord Gautama Buddha, guide thou me on the Path of Liberation, the Eightfold Path of Perfection.

Lord Gautama Buddha, guide thou me on the Path of Liberation, the Eightfold Path of Perfection. BUDDHIST MANTRAS Om Ah Hum (Come toward me, Om) Padme Siddhi Hum (Come to me, O Lotus Power) Lord Gautama Buddha, guide thou me on the Path of Liberation, the Eightfold Path of Perfection. Om Mani Padme

More information

THE WISDOM OF THE BUDDHA Adele Failmezger February 4, 2001

THE WISDOM OF THE BUDDHA Adele Failmezger February 4, 2001 1 THE WISDOM OF THE BUDDHA Adele Failmezger February 4, 2001 What is Buddhism? Buddhism is not a belief system or an abstract philosophy. It is a way of life, with teachings on how to behave and qualities

More information

Meditation. By Shamar Rinpoche, Los Angeles On October 4, 2002

Meditation. By Shamar Rinpoche, Los Angeles On October 4, 2002 Meditation By Shamar Rinpoche, Los Angeles On October 4, 2002 file://localhost/2002 http/::www.dhagpo.org:en:index.php:multimedia:teachings:195-meditation There are two levels of benefit experienced by

More information

cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1

cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 cetovimutti - Christina Garbe 1 Theravāda Buddhism Christina Garbe Theravāda means the school of the elders. It is the original Buddhism, which is based on the teachings of Buddha Gotama, who lived in

More information

Buddhism & the Environment. Stacey Kennealy Certification & Shield Director Zen Priest in Training

Buddhism & the Environment. Stacey Kennealy Certification & Shield Director Zen Priest in Training Buddhism & the Environment Stacey Kennealy Certification & Shield Director Zen Priest in Training Plan for Today Meditation 3 Buddhist aspects of viewing the world Interbeing, deep time, nature as Dharma

More information

DELUSION -Avijja- Matheesha Gunathilake

DELUSION -Avijja- Matheesha Gunathilake DELUSION -Avijja- Matheesha Gunathilake WHAT IS DELUSION? Not seeing the world or reality for what it really is Ignorance is also used = (avijja or moha) THIS PRESENTATION Moving from delusion to truth

More information

Chapter Three. Knowing through Direct Means - Direct Perception

Chapter Three. Knowing through Direct Means - Direct Perception Chapter Three. Knowing through Direct Means - Direct Perception Overall Explanation of Direct Perception G2: Extensive Explanation H1: The Principle of Establishment by Proof through Direct Perception

More information

The Heart Sutra. Commentary by Master Sheng-yen

The Heart Sutra. Commentary by Master Sheng-yen 1 The Heart Sutra Commentary by Master Sheng-yen This is the fourth article in a lecture series spoken by Shih-fu to students attending a special class at the Ch'an Center. In the first two lines of the

More information

Meditation. Mental Culture that Buddhism Explains. (Bhāvanā)

Meditation. Mental Culture that Buddhism Explains. (Bhāvanā) Meditation Mental Culture that Buddhism Explains (Bhāvanā) The main purpose of everybody is happiness. People do everything from birth to death in the name of happiness. However, unfortunately, day by

More information

Dependent Co-Arising 3. Cognitive Factors American Bodhi Center February 10-12, 2017

Dependent Co-Arising 3. Cognitive Factors American Bodhi Center February 10-12, 2017 Dependent Co-Arising 3. Cognitive Factors American Bodhi Center February 10-12, 2017 A workshop with Bhikkhu Cintita of Sitagu Buddha Vihara, Austin Cognitive Factors ignorance fabrications consciousness

More information

1 Wakefulness 1. 3 The Sage 3. 2 Luminous Mind 2

1 Wakefulness 1. 3 The Sage 3. 2 Luminous Mind 2 1 Wakefulness 1 Wakefulness is the way to life The fool sleeps As if he were already dead, But the master is awake And he lives forever. He watches. He is clear. How happy he is! Following the path of

More information

Ill-Will Sensual Desire

Ill-Will Sensual Desire How am I going today with all these Dhamma co Ill-Will Sensual Desire Level of Issue Greed/Craving not much abandon sometime accusing Vision often agitation Hearing very often anger Smells unknown annoyed

More information

Early Buddhist Doctrines VEN NYANATILOKA

Early Buddhist Doctrines VEN NYANATILOKA Early Buddhist Doctrines THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH VEN NYANATILOKA Recommended Reading Fundamentals of Buddhism: Four Lectures, by Nyanatiloka Mahathera Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eightfold Path is

More information

ROUGH OUTLINE FOR EMPTINESS, BUDDHISM, NAGARJUNA

ROUGH OUTLINE FOR EMPTINESS, BUDDHISM, NAGARJUNA ROUGH OUTLINE FOR EMPTINESS, BUDDHISM, NAGARJUNA 1.0 Introduction Different approaches to emptiness. Stephen Batchelor just gave a dharma talk at Upaya last month on three levels of emptiness: philosophical,

More information

The Four Noble Truths by Rev. Don Garrett delivered November 13, 2011 The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley

The Four Noble Truths by Rev. Don Garrett delivered November 13, 2011 The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley The Four Noble Truths by Rev. Don Garrett delivered November 13, 2011 The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley Why on earth would anyone want to practice Buddhism? It sounds like the gloomiest

More information

[1] A Summary of the View, Meditation, and Conduct By Yangthang Rinpoche

[1] A Summary of the View, Meditation, and Conduct By Yangthang Rinpoche [1] A Summary of the View, Meditation, and Conduct By Yangthang Rinpoche [2] Sole bindu, timeless, eternal protector, All-pervasive lord of all the families of buddhas, Guru Vajradhara, If as we earnestly

More information

A. obtaining an extensive commentary of lamrim

A. obtaining an extensive commentary of lamrim Q1. The objective of the study of tenet is A. obtaining an extensive commentary of lamrim C. to develop faith in the three jewel B. to enhance our daily practice D. all of the above Q2. The Heart Sutra

More information

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction How perfectible is human nature as understood in Eastern* and Western philosophy, psychology, and religion? For me this question goes back to early childhood experiences. I remember

More information

Four Sublime States of Mind (Cattari Brahma Viharani)

Four Sublime States of Mind (Cattari Brahma Viharani) Four Sublime States of Mind (Cattari Brahma Viharani) In Buddhism we are always advised to get rid of suffering and reach the real happiness which is the main purpose of life. The main reason that we are

More information

Meditation practices in preparation for death (excerpted and edited from the Pema Kilaya Death and Dying Project website, pkdeathanddying.

Meditation practices in preparation for death (excerpted and edited from the Pema Kilaya Death and Dying Project website, pkdeathanddying. Meditation practices in preparation for death (excerpted and edited from the Pema Kilaya Death and Dying Project website, pkdeathanddying.org) Basic Practices Shamatha (calm abiding) Phowa (transference

More information

COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS H O U R 4

COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS H O U R 4 COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS H O U R 4 WHAT DID THE BUDDHA DISCOVER? The 3 Marks of Existence: 1. Dukkha 2. Anicca 3. Anatta Dependent Origination The 4 Noble Truths: 1. Life is Dukkha 2. The Cause of Dukkha

More information

The death process NGALSO

The death process NGALSO The death process Vajrayana Buddhist teachings on the gross and subtle death processes and how to train and prepare for death as a great opportunity for spiritual development. NGALSO Western Buddhism Lama

More information

ANSWER TO THE QUE U S E T S IO I NS

ANSWER TO THE QUE U S E T S IO I NS ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS Q1. The objective of the study of tenet is A. obtaining an extensive commentary of lamrim B. To enhance our daily practice C. to develop faith in the three jewel D. All of the above

More information

The revised 14 Mindfulness Trainings

The revised 14 Mindfulness Trainings The revised 14 Mindfulness Trainings The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings are the very essence of the Order of Interbeing. They are the torch lighting our path, the boat carrying us, the teacher guiding

More information

Training FS- 01- What is Buddhism?

Training FS- 01- What is Buddhism? 1 Foundation Series on Buddhist Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) As taught by Sister Khema and overseen by Most Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi Maha Thera the Gift of Dhamma is Priceless! Training

More information

The Stages of Consciousness and the Experience of Spirit

The Stages of Consciousness and the Experience of Spirit The Stages of Consciousness and the Experience of Spirit Some clarifying discourses for the Spirit explorer in century twenty-one Gene W. Marshall Copyright 2000 by Gene W. Marshall All rights reserved.

More information

Why Buddha was Discontent with the Eighth Jhana

Why Buddha was Discontent with the Eighth Jhana Why Buddha was Discontent with the Eighth Jhana The original Buddhism, called Theravada or Hinayana, has two main approaches to meditation: the practice of the eight jhanas and vipassana (insight). Most

More information

How to Understand the Mind

How to Understand the Mind How to Understand the Mind Also by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche Meaningful to Behold Clear Light of Bliss Universal Compassion Joyful Path of Good Fortune The Bodhisattva Vow Heart Jewel Great

More information

RS (Philosophy and Applied Ethics) Year 11 Revision Guide

RS (Philosophy and Applied Ethics) Year 11 Revision Guide RS (Philosophy and Applied Ethics) Year 11 Revision Guide Exam 1: The Study of Religions - Christianity and Buddhism: 14 May (pm) Exam 2: Thematic Studies - Philosophy and Ethics: 16 May (pm) http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062

More information

JOHNNIE COLEMON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. Text: The Power of NOW Eckhart Tolle THE POWER OF NOW

JOHNNIE COLEMON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. Text: The Power of NOW Eckhart Tolle THE POWER OF NOW You Are Here To Enable The Divine Purpose Of The Universe To Unfold. That is How Important You Are Chapter One: You Are Not Your Mind I. What Is Enlightenment? I IV. A. Finding Your True Wealth B. A State

More information

Sandokai Annotated by Domyo Burk 2017 Page 1 of 5

Sandokai Annotated by Domyo Burk 2017 Page 1 of 5 Sandokai, by Shitou Xiqian (Sekito Kisen) Text translation by Soto Zen Translation Project The Harmony of Difference and Sameness - San many, difference, diversity, variety; used as a synonym for ji or

More information

Transcript of the teachings by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds, 2014

Transcript of the teachings by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds, 2014 Transcript of the teachings by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on, 2014 Root text: by Shantideva, translated by Toh Sze Gee. Copyright: Toh Sze Gee, 2006; Revised edition, 2014. 18 February 2014 Reflecting

More information

What the Buddha Taught in a Nutshell

What the Buddha Taught in a Nutshell What the Buddha Taught in a Nutshell The Buddha himself realized the world as it is. Especially the Buddha discovered the main problem of being, suffering and its real solution, cessation of suffering.

More information

Growth through Sharing

Growth through Sharing Growth through Sharing A one-day workshop for individuals working in the field of grief and bereavement in the Ottawa region. Date: June 1 st, 2015 Time: 8 am 4:15 pm Location: Richelieu Vanier Community

More information

Sattamakamma (Bojjhanga) Sutta Action and Its Effect (Kamma & Vipaka)

Sattamakamma (Bojjhanga) Sutta Action and Its Effect (Kamma & Vipaka) 1 Sattamakamma (Bojjhanga) Sutta Action and Its Effect (Kamma & Vipaka) Kamma or action, that Buddhism explains, means whatever someone does physically, verbally or mentally with a conscious mind. Kamma

More information