Via GBF: New Talk: The 16 Bodhisattva Precepts

Our latest talk is now available: The 16 Bodhisattva Precepts, with Larry Robinson. 

Instead of seeing ourselves as separate from the world we observe, can we imagine that it is the Buddha looking out through our eyes, wishing the best for everyone and everything?

In this talk, Larry Robinson explains that in the Mayahana traditions, we sit and practice not to attain or accomplish anything, but to express our Bodhicitta, our true nature, and to connect with the underlying reality of all things: unity.

He explores in further detail the practices that help us reinforce our understanding of unity: the 16 Bodhisattwa precepts. Rather than commandments, these are guidelines for experiencing the world through the eyes of the Buddha; a roadmap for remembering who we really are.   
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Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast player or the GBF website: 

https://gaybuddhist.org/podcast/the-16-bodhisattva-precepts-larry-robinson/

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE RIGHT EFFORT Abandoning Arisen 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 abandon arisen unhealthy mental states. One abandons the arisen hindrance of sense desire. (MN 141)  Reflection Unhealthy states arise in human experience all the time. This is not your fault; you are not to be blamed for it or to feel guilty about it. What is important is first of all to notice when an unhealthy state is arising—hence the value of mindfulness training—and then to understand that it is unhealthy, which comes gradually with wisdom, and finally to let go of it—not suppress it or ignore it but simply let it pass through the mind and go away.  Daily Practice One of the most persistent and common of the unhealthy states is sense desire. There is a natural tendency for the senses to lean in to experience, to subtly seek out and attach to things that give us a sense of gratification. Make an effort to recognize when this is happening, and respond with letting go. Notice, understand, and release. Repeat often. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling and Abiding in the Second Jhāna One week from today: Developing Unarisen Healthy States 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 » © 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

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Via Daily Dharma: Keep Coming Back

 

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Keep Coming Back

When you sit down to meditate, you never know what’s going to come up. Some days you’re hammered by relentless trivia; other days you’re caught in storms of anger or grief or fear. What’s important is just to keep coming back to the cushion, to keep opening the door to the possibility of peace and insight.

Anne Cushman, “Fifteen Weeks of Dharma Dating” 

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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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© 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation //

When you hear the statement, ‘You are my key to the place in myself where I am indeed love,’ you see that the spiritual practices of devotion are designed to move you from, ‘I love you,’ to, ‘We are in love together.' - Ram Dass - From Ram Dass – Here & Now – Ep. 178 – The Path of the Heart

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Verbal Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Verbal 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 verbal action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you wish to do an action with speech, reflect on that same verbal action thus: "Would this action I wish to do with speech lead to my own affliction?" If, on reflection, you know that it would, then do not do it. If you know that it would not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection Verbal action is as important a matter as bodily action, for much harm and much good can be done with words. Reflecting on verbal action involves being attentive to cause and effect, considering whether what you want to say may cause harm to you or to someone else. The truth of the phrase "Bad things come from uttering bad words" is plainly evident in the world around us. Let's not contribute to it.  Daily Practice This is a practice familiar to us as "Think before you speak." It is simply a matter of establishing and maintaining some space between what comes to mind and what goes out into the world as speech. This moment of reflection brings care to the process. Practice speaking slower and more thoughtfully. Practice also placing yourself in the position of the hearer and imagine how your words might be received by others. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental 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 »

© 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Tricycle //

 

Daisaku Ikeda, President of the Soka Gakkai International, Dies at 95 By Clark Strand

The Japanese Buddhist philosopher, author, and nuclear disarmament advocate died of natural causes on November 15.

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