Via The Tricycle Community \\ Three Teachings on Humility

 

Browse our online courses » September 4, 2025 The Power of Humility    Among the values we come across regularly in Buddhist teachings, not-knowing, selflessness, and being fully present are core—and all of these values apply to the word humility. While some may associate humility with low self-esteem, from a Buddhist point of view it’s a powerful quality to be cultivated and celebrated.  Humility implies a willingness to admit that you don’t know everything—that you’re not only open to possibility but that you see uncertainty as an opportunity and inquiry as an essential practice. In Zen, this attitude is called not-knowing, which opens the doorway to awe, acceptance, and freedom.  Humility also requires that you’re not overly attached to your own views and sense of self, which in Zen is presented in the ideal of being “nobody special” or emulating the “person of no rank.” In complex and difficult times, this quality can be our greatest support. As Fabrice Desmarescaux, a leader of spiritual retreats, says, “The humility of not-knowing may provide the clarity needed to see our way through the most complex problems.” This week’s Three Teachings remind us that humility is a thread that connects many other Buddhist virtues and makes way for deep appreciation, creativity, and potential.  Forward today's teachings to a friend » No Wonder Without Humility By Oren Jay Sofer Read a brief teaching on accessing child-like wonder and being fully present. Read more » The Power of Not-Knowing By Fabrice Desmarescaux Read a contemplation on humility as a gesture of power, not weakness, that keeps us open to fresh perspectives and able to “fully accept reality without resistance.” Read more » We Are in Training to Be Nobody Special By Sandy Boucher  Read a reflection by a writer and Buddhist teacher on the lessons she’s learned about not insisting on her specialness. Read more » Follow Us

Via White Crane Institute \\ "TREATMENT ACTIVIST GUERRILLAS" (TAG)

 

Exploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989
This Day in Gay History
September 05 Noteworthy The TAG condom on Jesse Helms House 1991 - On this date a group of AIDS activists called "TREATMENT ACTIVIST GUERRILLAS" (TAG) accomplished one of the funniest and most outrageous bits of public activism when they literally put an enormous condom over the home of rabid homophobe and AIDS death accomplice Senator Jesse Helms in Arlington, Virginia.  The activists knew they only had seven minutes before the police showed up.  You can see the action in the 2012 documentary How To Survive and Plague. Here: https://youtu.be/Nrr0eA34CSM  |8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8| Gay Wisdom for Daily Living from White Crane Institute "With the increasing commodification of gay news, views, and culture by powerful corporate interests, having a strong independent voice in our community is all the more important. White Crane is one of the last brave standouts in this bland new world... a triumph over the looming mediocrity of the mainstream Gay world." - Mark Thompson Exploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989! www.whitecraneinstitute.org |8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|

Via Daily Dharma: An Experience Beyond Words

 

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An Experience Beyond Words Sitting quietly in a serene environment, letting go of the various petty disturbances that roil and diminish consciousness, and experiencing as fully as possible the poignancy of this fleeting moment—this is an enterprise of deep intrinsic value, an aesthetic experience beyond words. Andrew Olendzki, “Busy Signal” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

A Fourth Refuge: Namo Bhumyai By Satya Robyn A British Pure Land sangha offers a modern ecological addition to the famous triple gem. Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Harming Living Beings Harming living beings is unhealthy. Refraining from harming living beings is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the harming of living beings, one abstains from harming living beings; with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle and kindly, one abides with compassion toward all living beings. (M 41) One practices thus: “Others may harm living beings, but I will abstain from the harming of living beings.” (MN 8) This is something that leads to the welfare and happiness of a layperson in this present life: balanced living. Here, a person knows their wealth coming in and their wealth going out, and leads a balanced life, being neither too extravagant nor too frugal, [knowing that] “in this way my income exceeds my expenditures, and my expenditures do not exceed my income.” (AN 8.54)

Reflection Indian culture is deeply rooted in commerce, as its early civilizations seem to have flourished on trade, and many of the Buddha’s followers were merchants. He thus had respect for commercial life, and the economic balance he mentions here can be seen as a middle-way lifestyle for the layperson. Just as a monk lives being neither too indulgent nor too ascetic, so also a layperson should live a financially balanced life. Daily Practice Right living for a householder or layperson involves prudence, self-control, and a balanced lifestyle. Notice the negative psychological effect when you are in debt or living beyond your means, and notice also the harmful effects of extravagance and self-indulgence. Contrast these to the sense of contentment and security that comes from living in equilibrium, when your income and expenses are in harmony with each other. Tomorrow: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via NPR \\ Susan Stamberg, 'founding mother' of NPR, retires