Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States

 

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RIGHT EFFORT Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States Whatever a person frequently thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19) Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to restrain the arising of unarisen unhealthy mental states. One restrains the arising of the unarisen hindrance of doubt. (MN 141)

Reflection The fifth of the five hindrances is doubt. This is not the healthy skepticism that encourages us to think for ourselves and not take anything on hearsay. It is the debilitating doubt wherein we are unsure of ourselves and unclear about whether the practice we are doing is well taught or we are practicing it correctly. These sorts of doubts hinder our progress and are better replaced by their opposite, trust and confidence. Daily Practice See if you can give some attention to the quality of mind that presents itself when you are doubtful about something and, alternatively, when you are trusting of something. The point is not so much whether the doubt or trust is justified or not, or right or wrong, but rather the effect such attitudes have on the workings of consciousness. Self-doubt in particular undermines the mind, while confidence promotes energy. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna One week from today: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Be Here Now Network // Pilgrim Heart

  Krishna Das – Pilgrim Heart – Ep. 133 – Infinite Life with Dr. Robert Thurman
March 24, 2023

“Human beings are such a precious embodiment…it’s a great opportunity to become enlightened  That’s what you do when you attain freedom. You don’t stop...

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Via Daily Dharma: Be Thrifty with Awareness

Awareness itself is the primary currency of the human condition, and as such it deserves to be spent carefully.

Andrew Olendzki, “Busy Signal”

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Via The Ethicist: My fundamentalist parents won’t accept my marriage. Should I cut ties?

 

Via Don’t Miss These Must-See Buddhist Short Films

 

Support Tricycle with a donation » March 25, 2023 5 Films Documenting Buddhism Around the World Every year, a crop of young seekers and adventurers have their first encounters with the dharma while backpacking through the Himalayas and visiting Buddhist monasteries. Buddha Path Hostel, the 2021 short film, tells the story of Maya, a young dissatisfied city dweller who ends up at a Himalayan monastery searching for peace of mind. Along the way, she encounters a series of challenges and obstacles—and a monk to help her find the wisdom hidden within her struggles. As he teaches her about suffering and the way out of suffering, she must test herself to see if she can overcome the conditions in her own life that have led to her unhappiness.  Buddha Path Hostel is one of five Buddhist short films screening this month as part of Tricycle’s annual Buddhist Short Film Festival. The other films in this year’s selection document the communal traditions of a rural village in Thailand, the life of a trekking guide in Kathmandu, and a look inside the mind of an inspiring LGBTQ activist turned monastic. As a Tricycle subscriber, you have access to the lineup of all five films through March 31! Watch them 24/7 from the comfort of home.   Watch now »   Also this week: Don’t miss Tricycle’s second annual Buddhism and Ecology Summit! Sign up free to join conversations and practice sessions with leading Buddhist teachers, writers, and environmental activists.  The Dharma of Relationships:The Paramis in Action starts in April! Watch a free preview video to discover how the paramis can bring greater wisdom and compassion to your closest connections.  March’s Dharma Talk from Thanissaro Bhikkhu explores how to work skillfully with anger and the situations that provoke it.  Wake up to Buddhist wisdom with Tricycle’s new Daily Dharma app—now available for iPhone and Android.  Buddhist Short Film Festival Now Streaming This week is your last chance to tune in to the 2023 Buddhist Short Film Festival! Enjoy five short films, hand picked by Tricycle’s editors, now through March 31.  Watch now »

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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 for 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) A layperson is not to engage in the livelihood of trading in meat. (AN 5.177)

Reflection Vegetarianism is an important issue in contemporary Buddhist discussion. The Buddha was famously not a vegetarian, although he spoke of the importance of not harming living beings. His perspective was that as beggars, the monks and nuns had to accept all offerings put in their bowls without making distinctions between what they liked or didn't like, or between what they thought was rightly or wrongly procured.  Daily Practice Whether or not you are a practicing vegetarian, the matter raised here is about the livelihood of a layperson. Trading in meat was singled out as an inappropriate profession because it involves the killing of living beings every day in great numbers. This is just not a healthy thing to be doing. Give the matter some attention today and reflect upon how much harm or lack of harm results from what you do for a living. 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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ViaDaily Dharma: A Circular Journey

 You cannot simply stay at home and say, “I am already where I want to be.” It is only the journey that makes you realize your true potential, and only at the end of the journey will you understand that the goal is not to separate from the starting point.

Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche, “Letting Go of Spiritual Experience”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - March 22, 2023 💌

 

Once you understand what awakening is about, every act of your life becomes a vehicle to become aware, and the meaning of life changes.

RamDass

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Bodily 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 bodily action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you are doing an action with the body, reflect upon that same bodily action thus: "Does this action I am doing with the body lead to the affliction of another?" If, upon reflection, you know that it does, then stop doing it; if you know that it does not, then continue. (MN 61)

Reflection Mindfulness practice involves being fully aware of what we are doing while it is being done. It has to do with the mind being in the present moment rather than recalling what has just happened or anticipating what will happen next. It also includes being attentive to the ethical quality of our actions. It is important to be aware of whether we are causing harm or contributing to the good and to adjust our actions accordingly. Daily Practice This is a day to reflect upon your actions as you are doing them. Be aware of the unfolding of cause and effect as you go through the day. Notice the look on people’s faces as you are interacting with them; notice whether people are benefitted or hurt by what you are doing. Make the extra effort to be conscious as you act in the world, rather than just doing things automatically. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings One week from today: Reflecting upon Verbal Action Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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© 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003