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 ill will. (MN 141)

Reflection We all have the capacity for unhealthy states. This capacity was eliminated by the Buddha under the Bodhi tree, his awakening being largely defined as dismantling the mechanism by which such states as anger, jealousy, hatred, and cruelty arise. Pulled up by the roots, they can no longer occur. But for the rest of us, the issue is more about managing these states than vanquishing them, and this requires restraint. Daily Practice Restraining the arising of unhealthy mental and emotional states that lie dormant in the unconscious mind but have not had occasion to erupt into consciousness is an  important practice. We learn to position ourselves and hold ourselves in ways that do not encourage these states to arise. If you do not ruminate about people treating you badly, for example, you will not be likely to feel ill will or hatred toward them. 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 Daily Dharma: Survey the Landscape of Your Body

 

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Survey the Landscape of Your Body As you survey the landscape of your body from within, see if you can find a place to rest your awareness—a place that feels neutral or pleasant.  Kate Johnson, “Making Friends with Yourself” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

The Four Noble Truths: Living Life with Purpose With Lama Aria Drolma A brand new Dharma Talk is available now! Join ordained Buddhist nun Lama Aria Drolma to discuss the core foundation of Buddhism, offering profound insights into the very nature of human existence. Read more »

Via White Crane Institute // 2020 - The Supreme Court ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects LGBT people from discrimination in employment

 

Noteworthy

2020 -

The Supreme Court ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects LGBT people from discrimination in employment, a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court. The court decided by a 6-3 vote that a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 known as Title VII that bars job discrimination because of sex, among other reasons, encompasses bias against LGBT workers.

The cases were the court’s first on LGBT rights since Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement and replacement by Kavanaugh. Kennedy was a voice for gay rights and the author of the landmark ruling in 2015 that made same-sex marriage legal throughout the United States. Kavanaugh generally is regarded as more conservative.

The Trump administration had changed course from the Obama administration, which supported LGBT workers in their discrimination claims under Title VII. During the Obama years, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had changed its longstanding interpretation of civil rights law to include discrimination against LGBT people. The law prohibits discrimination because of sex, but had no specific protection for sexual orientation or gender identity.

In recent years, some lower courts have held that discrimination against LGBT people is a subset of sex discrimination, and thus prohibited by the federal law. Efforts by Congress to change the law had failed.

The Supreme Court cases involved two gay men and a transgender woman who sued for employment discrimination after they lost their jobs. And while these precedents may make us feel warm and fuzzy all over, they are certainly in the gunsights of the current SCOTUS bench. 

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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 compassionate to 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 person in this present life: accomplishment in initiative. Here, whatever may be the means by which a layperson earns their living—whether by farming, trade, government service, or some other craft—one is skillful and diligent. One possesses sound judgment about it in order to carry out and arrange it properly. (AN 8.54)

Reflection Many of the Buddha’s followers were members of the merchant class, and much of what he teaches is suitable for those who are earning a living in society at the same time as trying to follow his guidance. The practical advice here is that it is good to be "skillful and diligent," whatever your trade or mode of livelihood. Sound judgment is a valuable quality to have and leads you naturally to a respect for life that abandons all harming. Daily Practice Mindfulness is a form of skillfulness. When you do what you do—whatever it is—with full attention, this contributes to its skillful accomplishment. Try approaching your means of earning a living as a craftsman might approach their craft, with focus, sound judgment, and full awareness. Notice in the text that this applies to managerial work as much as to farming, and there is no modern pursuit that will not benefit from a mindful approach.  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 Daily Dharma: Forever Coming to Know

 

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Forever Coming to Know We can recognize ourselves as part of the community of beings forever coming to know, forever unlearning what we thought was reality because we’re growing. You’re not growing if you know everything.  Kamilah Majied, “Dismantling Delusions of White Supremacy”  CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Hakuin’s Tears of Awakening By Yamada Mumon Roshi, Translated by Norman Waddell Yamada Mumon Roshi chronicles the spiritual development of Zen Master Hakuin Ekaku, from his childhood fear of hell to his final awakening at the age of 42. Read more »

Via [GBF] Flashback Friday: "Is There Sex in Tibetan Monasteries?" with John Jupt

In this eye-opening and provocative yet humorous talk, John Jupt explores the views of celibacy and abstinence in the Tibetan tradition. 

He also shares insights into the intimacy and channeling of sexual energy that he observed, specifically in the rigorous and austere environment of Tibetan monasteries. Listen as he explains how the norms in these environments are very different than those we experience in the West. 

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Recorded February 14, 1999

Listen on your favorite podcast player by searching "Gay Buddhist Fellowship flashback" or visit our website:
https://gaybuddhist.org/podcast/is-there-sex-in-tibetan-monasteries-john-jupt/

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Enjoy 800+ free recorded dharma talks at www.gaybuddhist.org/podcast/

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