Friday, August 2, 2024

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Intoxication

 


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RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Intoxication
Intoxication is unhealthy. Refraining from intoxication is healthy. (MN 9) What are the imperfections that defile the mind? Negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind. Knowing that negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind, a person abandons it. (MN 7) One practices thus: “Others may become negligent by intoxication, but I will abstain from the negligence of intoxication.” (MN 8)

There are these two worldly conditions: praise and blame. These are conditions that people meet—impermanent, transient, and subject to change. A mindful, wise person knows them and sees that they are subject to change. Desirable conditions do not excite one’s mind nor is one resentful of undesirable conditions. (AN 8.6)
Reflection
The “worldly winds,” you will recall, are those conditions that are inevitably found in the world, things it is useless to object to or resist, and the best course is to learn how to adapt and live with them. Praise and blame are among these inevitable worldly conditions. No matter what you do, there are times you will be praised, justifiably or not, and there are times you will be blamed, justifiably or not. It is best to accept this.

Daily Practice
One thing that helps in dealing with praise and blame is not to take things personally. Having yourself be the focus of everything can be seen as a kind of intoxication, distorting your perception of things as they actually are. Remind yourself that conditions are transient, that peoples’ opinions are subject to change, and that they may not praise or blame you with any real understanding of who you are or what you had in mind.

Tomorrow: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings

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Thursday, August 1, 2024

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Via White Crane Institute // LAMMAS DAY

 



Lammas crafts
2017 -

LAMMAS DAY ‒ In English-speaking countries, August 1 is Lammas Day ("loaf-mass day"), the festival of the first wheat harvest of the year. In Wiccan traditions, the name Lammas is used for one of the sabbats, The festival is also known as Lughnasadh, a feast to commemorate the funeral games (Tailtean Games) of Tailtiu, foster-mother of the Irish sun-god Lugh. Lammas is a cross-quarter occurring ¼ of a year after Beltane. Lughnasadh was one of the four main festivals of the medieval Irish calendar: Imbolc at the beginning of February, Beltane on the first of May, Lughnasadh in August and Samhain in November.

The early Celtic calendar was based on the lunar, solar, and vegetative cycles, so the actual calendar date in ancient times may have varied. Lughnasadh marked the beginning of the harvest season, the ripening of first fruits, and was traditionally a time of community gatherings, market festivals, horse races and reunions with distant family and friends. Among the Irish it was a favored time for handfastings ‒ trial marriages that would generally last a year and a day, with the option of ending the contract before the new year, or later formalizing it as a more permanent marriage.

In Christian tradition on this day it was customary to bring to church a loaf made from the new crop. In many parts of England, tenants were bound to present freshly harvested wheat to their landlords on or before the first day of August. In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, where it is referred to regularly, it is called "the feast of first fruits".

Now is a great time of year to work on honing your own talents. Learn a new craft, or get better at an old one. Put on a play, write a story or poem, take up a musical instrument, start getting crafty, or sing a song. Whatever you choose to do, this is the right season for rebirth and renewal, so set August 1 as the day to share your new skill with your friends and family.


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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

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Social Action

 


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RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Social 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 social action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)

One reflects thus: “I shall initiate and sustain mental acts of kindness toward my companions, both publicly and privately.” One lives with companions in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes. One thinks thus: “It is a gain for me, it is a great gain for me, that I am living with such companions in the spiritual life.” (MN 31)
Reflection
Of the three kinds of action recognized in Buddhist teaching, mental acts are more important than verbal and bodily actions because we say and do things only after we think them. The system of cause and effect generated by our thoughts is called karma, and we create either healthy or unhealthy karma not only by acting and speaking but also with every mental action. Attending to the quality of the mind is so important.

Daily Practice
In the privacy of your own mind, practice thinking good thoughts about people. This can be a kind of guerilla lovingkindness practice, in which you send friendly and benevolent thoughts to people without them knowing you are doing so. See what a good effect this has on your own mind. The people you direct your kindness to do not need to be aware of your thoughts; you only have to generate them to reap the benefits.

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication
One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
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Questions?
Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.



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89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Daily Dharma: Zen Shines Through

 

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Zen Shines Through 

If there is Zen in it, or whatever it is, it comes through if you enjoy doing your work. Anything you do with the best of your capacities is beautiful…Your whole body gets to be a part of everything, and you become free.

Toshiko Takaezu, “Toshiko Takaezu’s Hidden Worlds”


CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE


Cutting the Roots of Craving
By Bhante Henepola Gunaratana and Veronique Ziegler
Learning through right mindfulness how to abandon desire. 
Read more »


Becoming a Child of Illusion
With Andrew Holecek
A brand new Dharma Talk is available now! Andrew Holecek, an author and spiritual teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, discusses how to bring appearance in harmony with reality. 
Watch now »

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech




RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Frivolous Speech
Frivolous speech is unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous speech.” (MN 8)

An authentic person is one who, even when asked, does not reveal their own praiseworthy qualities—still less so when not asked. When asked, however, and obliged to reply to questions, one speaks of their own praiseworthy qualities hesitatingly and not in detail. (AN 4.73)    
Reflection
This passage describes a situation of humility, not dissembling. It is right speech because it does not unnecessarily embellish your own story by exaggerating your good qualities, which can be considered a form of frivolous or unnecessary speech. Notice that it is still important to tell the truth, so if asked directly it is okay to be accurate in noting your own virtues, as long as you do it with an attitude of humility.

Daily Practice
Pay attention to the speech patterns of the people you encounter and notice just how much of what they say involves praising themselves either overtly or indirectly. It is remarkable how much of our speech is given to this project. Now turn your gaze on your own words and see to what degree you are doing this yourself. Try removing self-praise from your language for a while and see how difficult it is to do.

Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action
One week from today: Refraining from False Speech

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel

Questions?
Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.



Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning.

© 2024 Tricycle Foundation
89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003