Revoked: Jan 30, 2025

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Via The Tricycle Community \\ Three Teachings: The Middle Way

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January 30, 2025

Striking a Balance

In his first sermon at Deer Park, the Buddha described the eightfold path, his path to enlightenment, as the middle way between the extremes of asceticism and indulgence. The middle way later turns up as a way to think about other Buddhist concepts, such as not-self. Releasing attachment to a fixed self is the middle way between eternalism and nihilism.

In the Mulamadhyamakakarika (“Root Verses on the Middle Way”), third-century Indian monk and philosopher Nargarjuna described emptiness, or shunyata, as the middle way between being and not-being. Emptiness doesn’t mean a void or lack of existence; it means that things don’t exist independently.

The middle way continues to serve as a reference point or framework in modern conversations like politics and addiction, but, crucially, it isn’t the path of least resistance. It's an embrace of what is.

This week’s Three Teachings shares three interpretations of this foundational Buddhist approach and outlook.

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Nagarjuna’s Wisdom: The Middle Way
With Barry Kerzin

In this four-part Dharma Talk, Dr. Barry Kerzin, a monk and the Dalai Lama’s personal physician, discusses the teachings of Nagarjuna, one of the most influential thinkers of Mahayana Buddhism.

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Soyen Shaku’s Classic Sermon on the Middle Way
By Soyen Shaku

In this teaching by the first Zen master to teach in the United States, Soyen Shaku discusses the balance between discipline and intuition.

Walking Zen’s Tightrope
By Taiun Michael Elliston

In this brief teaching, author and Atlanta Soto Zen Center founder Taiun Michael Elliston drills down on what the middle way actually is and isn’t.

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Via THEM \\ Before Standing Up to Trump, Bishop Budde Helped Matthew Shepard's Parents Safely Lay Their Son to Rest

Via Daily Dharma: Turning Toward Pain

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Turning Toward Pain

Turning toward our pain gets easier with practice. Gradually, we become less afraid of our discomfort.

Bodhipaksa, “Loving Pain”

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The Efforts of Others
By Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi

A Shin Buddhist minister explains how gratitude can be the opening gate to a deeper spiritual practice.

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RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Verbal Action

However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered. Good things come from doing good deeds, bad things come from doing bad deeds. (SN 11.10) What is the purpose of a mirror? For the purpose of reflection. So too verbal action is to be done with repeated reflection: (MN 61)

When you have done an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: "Has this action I have done with speech led to my own affliction?" If, upon reflection, you know that it has, then tell someone you trust about it and undertake a commitment not to do it again. If you know it has not, then be content and feel happy about it. (MN 61)

Reflection

People are always talking, if not to other people, then to themselves. And the words we use have consequences, sowing the seeds of both external and internal karma. External karma is the consequence of our actions in the world; internal karma is the effect of our thoughts and emotions on ourselves. This text is telling us that it is beneficial to reflect upon things you have said in the past, noticing anything that has been hurtful to yourself. It is not too late to change the pattern, to learn to speak to yourself and of yourself in healthier ways.

Daily Practice

Pay attention to what you say, both to others and to yourself. Notice if you find you are devaluing yourself—putting yourself down in some way or being harshly self-critical. As in the case of bodily action, revealing these things to another person who you trust and who has your best interests in mind can be unburdening. It is healthy to change unhealthy habits, even those that are the most intimate and personal.

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given
One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental Action

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Via Wildmind \\ Staying sane in turbulent times

Staying sane in turbulent times

A lot of people who were shocked by the results of the US presidential election are now reeling with the pace and the nature of the political changes that are taking place.

So I want to offer some advice for staying sane in turbulent times, based on the mantra that's guiding my life at present:

Feet on the ground.
Heart wide open.
Keep looking upward.

Click below to learn how we can balance self-care and compassion for others.

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