Via Daily Dharma: Awakening to Perfection

 

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Awakening to Perfection Take the attitude that there is nothing in your experience that you need to control or fix, and you’ll be available to experience the perfection that is always there, the truth that everything you need to awaken is with you right now. Kate Johnson, “Calming the Not Now Mind” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Wisdom Beyond Reason By Pema Düddul Learn how to differentiate between Zen koans, Chan gongans, and Dzogchen pith instructions.  Read more » Clarifying Dependent Origination With Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Watch an illuminating teaching from Sri Lankan Theravada monk Bhante Henepola Gunaratana on one of the Buddha’s most essential yet lesser-discussed insights into the nature of suffering and liberation. Watch now »

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) One is to practice thus: “Here, regarding things sensed by you, in the sensed there will be just the sensed." When, firmly mindful, one senses a sensation, one is not inflamed by lust for sensations; one experiences the sensation with a dispassionate mind and does not remain holding it tightly. (SN 35.95)

Reflection The phrase “what is seen, heard, and sensed” is a shorthand way of referring to the first five of the senses, so the word sensed refers to the sense modalities of smelling, tasting, and touching. It can be challenging to simply be with what is given in direct experience, since we are so easily swept beyond what is given to add layers of judgment and interpretation. Right living involves remaining grounded in experience. Daily Practice When you smell, taste, or touch an object of any kind at any moment, see if you can focus just on the sensation, not allowing thoughts to take over and run rampant. Such proliferation is a way of “taking what is not given,” insofar as you are going beyond the information provided by the senses in the immediate experience and turning it into something different. Practice simply being with what is present—no more, no less. 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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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 are doing an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Does this action I am doing with speech lead to the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you know that it does, then stop doing it; if you know that it does not, then continue. (MN 61)

Reflection Much of the speech we utter just comes out, without a lot of forethought. This is the kind of speech that often gets us in trouble or causes harm to others. If we miss the opportunity to reflect on what we are going to say before we say it, we have another chance to notice what we are saying as we are saying it. Take advantage of this and pay attention to what you are saying. Listen to yourself as you speak to others. Daily Practice Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of what you are doing in the present moment, and this can apply to speech as well as bodily and mental action. By becoming aware of what you are saying as you are saying it, you are able to access the ability to reflect on whether it is causing harm to others or yourself. If you find you are saying anything hurtful, just stop. Find another way of saying what you have to say. 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.

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Three Teachings: Making Big Life Decisions

 

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March 27, 2025 Buddhist Wisdom on Making Big Decisions Do you ever feel paralyzed in the face of a big decision? So worried about the potential consequences that you can’t focus on the facts at hand, and then get turned around by overthinking?  In today’s world, the paradox of choice can be overwhelming. Buddhist wisdom would have us start with ourselves to find the clarity and moral framework to move forward. This means turning inward, practicing mindfulness, and letting answers arise. It means learning to respond, rather than react, and finding answers from the heart that have been there all along.  As meditation teacher Kaira Jewel Lingo writes, following the guidance of her teacher, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, “Deeper life questions can’t be resolved at the level of the mind but must be entrusted to a different, deeper part of our consciousness.” This week’s Three Teachings offers three paths for finding, rather than forcing, an opening and a path forward on big or difficult decisions. For more on this topic, download Tricycle’s Daily Dharma app and find our Buddhist Guide to Making Big Life Decisions. Forward today's teachings to a friend » Trusting the Unknown By Kaira Jewel Lingo Read about the power of pausing, looking deeply, and letting your consciousness take time to find a way forward in this teaching by dharma teacher Kaira Jewel Lingo. Read more » Opening to Freedom With Sharon Salzberg Listen to a podcast episode with meditation teacher and author Sharon Salzberg explaining how breaking free of our habitual patterns presents a life of spaciousness and freedom. Listen now » How to Make a Decision When There Are No Good Choices By Yael Schonbrun See how the practices of acceptance, mindfulness, and clarifying values can help us navigate seemingly impossible situations in this teaching by clinical psychologist Yael Schonbrun. Read more »

Via Daily Dharma: Do Good Now

 

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Do Good Now Whatever goodness we’re capable of doing, we should do now, when we have the opportunity, because the opportunity won’t always be there. Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Heedfulness Is Auspicious” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

You Have to Get Wet By Les Kaye Zen cannot be understood from the shore—you have to step in and experience it for yourself. Read more »