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) One of the dangers attached to addiction to intoxicants is loss of good name. (DN 31)

Reflection Negligence can seem harmless enough in some minor cases, but often it has serious consequences. When we are not paying adequate attention, people can get hurt. The opposite of negligence—diligence or attentiveness—is a cardinal Buddhist virtue. This is partly because of the care for life that we have seen expressed in many places. Committing to abstain from intoxication is a gift of harmlessness we give to others. Daily Practice On the practical side, this text is pointing out the loss of reputation that so often accompanies any kind of addiction or habitual intoxication. A person who has a compulsive habit simply cannot be trusted and will usually demonstrate this in potentially harmful ways. If you are generally attentive, acknowledge that your friends and family trust you, and take pride in your good reputation. It’s okay to do so. Tomorrow: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings 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: You Are Inherently Deserving

 

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You Are Inherently Deserving Remind yourself that every single being is worthy of respect, of love, and even reverence. Why? Because every single one of us is a buddha. Vanessa Zuisei Goddard, “The Eight Worldly Winds: Fame and Disrepute” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Philosophy of No-Mind By Nishihira Tadashi Discover the ineffable enlightenment experiences that shaped Ishida Baigan's spiritual journey and teachings. Read more »

Via Apple News: A doomed journey to the South Pole captivated the world. Turns out there’s even more to the story.

 

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: "Others may act in unhealthy ways; I shall refrain from acting in unhealthy ways." (MN 8) One lives with companions in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes. One practices thus: "I maintain bodily acts of lovingkindness toward my companions both openly and privately." (MN 31)

Reflection So much of what we think, say, and do affects the people around us. It is important to bring awareness and care to our social interactions. When we “view each other with kindly eyes,” it is natural and easy to be thoughtful. It is often the little things we do that have a big effect on maintaining harmony among friends, family, and co-workers. Daily Practice One simple way to practice living with others in harmony is to do kindly acts for them from time to time. Today, actively look for ways to do little things with the intention of pleasing someone. And don’t necessarily feel the need for such deeds to be acknowledged. Much value comes from performing acts of kindness in private. Take it up as a challenge—finding creative ways to do something nice for someone, even in secret. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action 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: Enlightenment Arising

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Enlightenment Arising Enlightenment is something we seek and something that seeks us, something that arises within us. Aaron P. Proffitt, “Beyond Simplicity” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Trusting in Simplicity By Ajahn Sumedho Awakening isn’t about struggle, it’s about presence. Read more »

 

Via The Tricycle Community \\ Three Teachings: Pain

 

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March 13, 2025 Living and Practicing with Pain Everyone has experienced physical pain to one degree or another, and, as Zen priest Annalisa Rakugo Castaldo says, “One of the most interesting things about pain is that it is a universal experience but also utterly personal.” As counterintuitive as that may seem, Buddhist wisdom reminds us that pain isn’t an enemy but a friend. Mindfulness is a great way to greet this friend. The Buddha’s mindfulness instructions start with focusing on the felt sense. Through mindfulness we can see and experience that pain is not separate from us, and that trying to isolate and detach from pain can even cause more suffering. By investigating pain with curiosity and kindness, we can loosen its grip. As psychotherapist and spiritual teacher Robert Augustus Masters says, we can “skillfully relate to it rather than from it.”  We can still wish pain away; that’s only natural. But we can also work on releasing our desire to wish it away, and thereby soften its power.  This week’s Three Teachings offers three perspectives on living and practicing with pain. Forward today's teachings to a friend » Belonging in the Body By Sebene Selassie “We can bring empathy to ourselves by meeting pain with embodied awareness, curious about the sensations. It’s not that we long for the pain to continue. We can aspire for a release from pain, but we bring kindness and compassion to whatever is happening. We accept what’s there, without contention,” writes meditation teacher Sebene Selassie. Read more » The Noble Truth of Pain By Annalisa Rakugo Castaldo “So how do you practice with pain? I can tell you what I do,” writes Zen priest Annalisa Rakugo Castaldo. “I accept the truth that I want pain-filled moments to be different. Breathe. Recognize that the pain is not other than myself, that it is an intrinsic part of being alive. Breathe. Remember that pain is not the same thing as suffering. Breathe. Let go of my desire to be free of the pain. Breathe. Gently turn my attention to one of the other many aspects of the present moment. Breathe. Repeat as necessary.” Read more » A Painless Present By Robert Augustus Masters “As we slowly but steadily undo our various ways of fleeing our pain, the energy we’ve invested in getting away from our pain—as opposed to simply being with our pain—is freed up, becoming available for us to use for truly life-giving purposes,” writes psychotherapist and spiritual teacher Robert Augustus Masters. Read more » Follow Us