Via Daily Dharma: Beyond the Comfort Zone

 

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Beyond the Comfort Zone Operating from a place of discomfort is more likely to motivate us to act. By recognizing the suffering of others and having a sincere and urgent desire to alleviate that suffering, we can learn to act compassionately in the world.  Constance Kassor, “The Discomfort of Compassion” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

unbuddhism By Vajra Chandrasekera A Sri Lankan author on distancing himself from the “real Buddhism” of his country.  Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Taking What is Not Given Taking what is not given is unhealthy. Refraining from taking what is not given is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the taking of what is not given, one abstains from taking what is not given; one does not take by way of theft the wealth and property of others. (MN 41) One practices thus: "Others may take what is not given, but I will abstain from taking what is not given." (MN 8) There is a gift, which is a great gift—pristine, of long standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated—that will never be suspect. Here a noble person gives up taking what is not given and refrains from it. In doing so, one gives freedom from fear, hostility, and oppression to an immeasurable number of beings. (AN 8.39)

Reflection This is the precept against theft, which you will notice is broadly stated to include a wide range of behaviors we might not consider stealing. There are many subtle ways we might take what is not freely offered, including exploiting the labor of others who may be unfairly remunerated. We might also take from others non-material things, such as time, ideas, credit, power, and freedom. Be careful not to do this.  Daily Practice Making a commitment to act with integrity regarding the property of others is another way of giving the gift of harmlessness to all beings. Practice being more attentive to when something is freely offered and when it is not. "Finders keepers" does not apply to Buddhist ethics. Think how grateful you are when someone returns something you left behind. Take up the habit of paying it forward, preferring to give rather than take. Tomorrow: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Gregorian Chants From Catholic Monastery | The Chants Honor God

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 "Justice theoretically must transcend status, though it rarely does in practice. Humans are status-fixated creatures, by evolutionary design (and still relatively un-evolved, by that principle). Justice currently is a faerie tale, really, a utopian ideal for some future humanity. But at least we can muse and reflect on these concepts, indicating something at least." (L.B. Fudelled)

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Via Daily Dharma: Emptiness of Clinging

 

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Emptiness of Clinging If we were to see the entire mechanism that leads to clinging, we would understand that there really isn’t anything to cling to. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, “Clinging” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Bowing to Anxiety By Vincent Moore Approaching OCD as Zen practice. Read more »

Via The Tricycle Community // Three Teachings: Genuine Generosity

 

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December 5, 2024 The Essential Practice of Giving    As we enter what for many people is a season of giving, it’s a good time to examine the core practice of dana, the Sanskrit word for giving, or generosity. Dana is a foundational Buddhist outlook and perspective, listed first among the ten paramis (Pali; Skt.: paramita), which are perfections to develop on the path to awakening. When we give, we give up attachment, the root of suffering. Of course, we might have mixed motives when we give, and this is why we must also try to establish pure intentions. One route to genuine generosity is to start with gratitude. As writer and lay dharma teacher Sallie Jiko Tisdale says:   Gratitude, the simple and profound feeling of being thankful, is the foundation of all generosity. I am generous when I believe that right now, right here, in this form and this place, I am myself being given what I need. Generosity requires that we relinquish something, and this is impossible if we are not glad for what we have. Otherwise the giving hand closes into a fist and won’t let go. Citing the nature that surrounds and gives to us every day—flowers, trees, birds at dawn—Tisdale reminds us that generosity born of abundance is natural, while clinging to what we have is forced. This week’s Three Teachings offers three perspectives on the essential practice of giving. Forward today's teachings to a friend » Support Tricycle with an End-of-Year Gift   To sustain Tricycle’s mission in 2025 and beyond, we hope you’ll consider making an end-of-year gift. Donate $30 or more and receive a FREE e-book full of teachings on generosity!   Donate today » As If There Is Nothing to Lose By Sallie Jiko Tisdale In a personal reflection, writer and lay dharma teacher Sallie Jiko Tisdale shows us how giving comes from gratitude.  Read more » Rich Generosity By Master Sheng Yen  In his 2008 book The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination, Chan Master Sheng Yen (1930–2009) reminds us that we don’t necessarily lose something when we give. Speaking about sharing the dharma, he writes, “When out of gratitude we use our candle to light other people’s candles, the whole room gets brighter.” Read more » The Dance of Reciprocity By Melinda Bondy Former Zen nun Melinda Bondy says as we learn to give, we must also learn to receive. “In the end, it’s not so important who gives and who receives. What matters is what takes us beyond our separation.” Read more »