Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

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 wish to do an action with the body, reflect upon that same bodily action thus: “Is this action I wish to do with the body an unhealthy bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, upon reflection, you know that it is, then do not do it. If you know that it is not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection As embodied beings, we are always performing some sort of action, even if that action is remaining still. Buddhist teachings recognize that physical actions begin with the mental intention to act and invite us to look carefully at the quality of our intentions. It is often hard to discern the intention before the action, and it feels as if the body is acting “on its own.” But if you investigate your experience closely, it is possible to see your intention.  Daily Practice See if you can catch that brief moment before any action when the intention to do the action arises in the mind. You might try this when you decide to open your eyes after a sitting, for example. Then extend this capability to noticing the ethical quality of actions you perform in daily life, reflecting on whether a forthcoming action is likely to cause harm in some way. If you can catch it before you act and stop, that is good. 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.

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

© 2025 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from False Speech

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from False Speech False speech is unhealthy. Refraining from false speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning false speech, one dwells refraining from false speech, a truth-speaker, one to be relied on, trustworthy, dependable, not a deceiver of the world. One does not in full awareness speak falsehood for one’s own ends or for another’s ends or for some trifling worldly end. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak falsely, but I shall abstain from false speech.” (MN 8) When one knows overt sharp speech to be untrue, incorrect, and unbeneficial, one should on no account utter it. (MN 139)    Reflection How much of what we say is totally useless? We often emphasize the value of expressing ourselves and of “getting things off our chest,” and this accounts for many of the expletives we utter and emotional downloads we deliver. What about the role speech plays in communicating with others? Buddhist teachings encourage us to focus on speaking what is true and what is beneficial—that is, what brings out the best in others. Daily Practice Pay attention to how people speak and notice speech that is sharp. One text calls it “stabbing one another with verbal daggers.” You know it when you hear it because you almost feel stabbed or wounded by the aggressive hostility of the words. Now look at your own habits of speaking and see if you can catch yourself doing the same thing. Whenever you notice the intention to speak in ways that are harmful, don’t do it. Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Bodily Action One week from today: Refraining from Malicious 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. Donate » © 2025 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation //

 

Death is our greatest challenge, as well as our greatest spiritual opportunity. By cultivating mindfulness, we can prepare ourselves for this final passage by allowing nature, rather than ego, to guide us. In so doing, we become teachers to others, and our own best friends, looking beyond the body's death at the next stage in our soul's adventure.

Via Daily Dharma: For the Sake of Devotion

 

Browse our online courses »

For the Sake of Devotion We don’t practice devotion to get something in return. We practice it for its own sake, as a complete offering of our heart. Oren Jay Sofer, “Everyday Devotion”  CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Discipline as a Path of Inner Growth By Raffaello Palandri An Italian Buddhist priest outlines the liberation and self-mastery that comes with the often misunderstood practice.  Read more »

VIa FB

 

VIa FB

 

Via Daily Dharma: Always in Awareness

 

Browse our online courses »

Always in Awareness Whatever the circumstance, bodily movement or stillness, feeling well or distressed, with good concentration or scattered attention, everything can be brought back to awareness. Kittisaro, “Tangled in Thought” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Not-Self Q&A By Thanissaro Bhikkhu An American Theravada Buddhist monk in the Thai forest tradition breaks down common misconceptions about an early Buddhist teaching. Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Lovingkindness

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Lovingkindness Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will become the basis upon which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on lovingkindness, for when you develop meditation on lovingkindness, all ill will will be abandoned. (MN 62)  The far enemy of lovingkindness is ill will. (Vm 9.98)

Reflection Ill will is the far enemy of lovingkindness because it is so clearly in opposition to it. These two polar opposites cannot occupy the mind at the same moment. This means that at any point we are are feeling kind or aversive or are experiencing a moment of mindful equanimity. Right intention means learning to use every opportunity to cultivate lovingkindness, since it is such a beneficial mind state. Daily Practice You cultivate mental and emotional states by encouraging them to arise and then working to maintain them as much as possible. Practice feeling friendly and kindly, if only in your mind, toward all the people and other beings you encounter each day. The more you do this, the more inclined your mind will be toward friendliness and kindness. One consequence of this is that the tendency toward ill will will diminish. Tomorrow: Refraining from False Speech One week from today: Cultivating Compassion 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. Donate »

© 2025 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003