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Support the Tricycle community with a donation » March 19, 2026 Emptiness in Action   The core Buddhist doctrine of emptiness, or sunyata, is often misunderstood as nihilism when, in fact, it points to just the opposite. An extension of the truths of impermanence and dependent origination, emptiness actually means connection—that everything is in constant flux and nothing exists independently. Theravada Buddhism emphasises the emptiness of self, and Mahayana Buddhism the emptiness of all phenomena. Either way, embodying emptiness is to realize our interbeing, as Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh said. It’s to feel compassion.  To experience emptiness of self requires working against our own wiring, and there are, of course, different paths and practices to do that work. Chan teacher Guo Gu says, “Not identifying with arising thoughts, feelings, and views is the practice of emptiness. Experiencing them as wondrous displays of possibility is emptiness in action.” This week’s Three Teachings offers different perspectives on emptiness and how, perhaps counterintuitively to some, compassion is its logical extension. Forward today's teachings to a friend » The Practice of Emptiness By Guo Gu Chan teacher Guo Gu, who is the founder of Tallahassee Chan Center and also an associate professor of Chinese Buddhism at Florida State University, lays a foundation for understanding emptiness, including why it’s so challenging. He then moves us toward a fuller embodiment of the ineffable. Read more » When You Greet Me, I Bow With Norman Fischer In a four-part Dharma Talk on relationship, emptiness, and activism, Zen priest and poet Norman Fischer explains that emptiness isn’t heavy or scary but, rather, comforting and freeing. Watch now » Four Buddhist Teachings on Emptiness By Simeon Mihaylov Acknowledging the varied and complex expressions of emptiness, researcher Simeon Mihaylov traces the history and evolution of the concept, including emptiness of subject, object, subject-object, and teachings or views.  Read more » Follow Us

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Via Daily Dharma: Logical Discipline

 

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Logical Discipline Discipline is about creating the conditions for a healthy, stable mind. If we are intent on awakening to supreme bliss, we must be aware of and abstain from the conditions and activities that disrupt the mind. It is very logical. Phakchok Rinpoche, “Maintaining Meditation Discipline” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

 

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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 are doing an action with the body, reflect upon that same bodily action thus: "Does this action I am doing with the body 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 Mindfulness practice involves being fully aware of what we are doing while it is being done. It has to do with the mind being in the present moment rather than recalling what has just happened or anticipating what will happen next. It also includes being attentive to the ethical quality of our actions. It is important to be aware of whether we are causing harm or contributing to the good and to adjust our actions accordingly. Daily Practice This is a day to reflect upon your actions as you are doing them. Be aware of the unfolding of cause and effect as you go through the day. Notice the look on people’s faces as you are interacting with them; notice whether people are benefitted or hurt by what you are doing. Make the extra effort to be conscious as you act in the world, rather than just doing things automatically. 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.

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Via Daily Dharma: Remember the Truth

 

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Remember the Truth What if we remembered the underlying truth that each of us is always changing, preciously impermanent, and lacking any essential qualities that divide and distinguish us from one another? Billy Wynne, “The Emptiness of Love” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from False Speech

 

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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) Such speech as you know to be true, correct, and beneficial but which is unwelcome and disagreeable to others—know the time to use such speech. (MN 58)

Reflection Sometimes we have to speak the truth to people who don’t want to hear it or to powers that feel threatened by it. Right speech does not mean retreating from such difficult encounters. Even if something is “unwelcome and disagreeable” we should still speak up if it is true. But right speech is skillful speech, and it is necessary to take on such communication with care. Daily Practice The next time you need to have a difficult discussion—when someone needs to hear something that is true but you know it will be unwelcome and disagreeable—see if you can bring the skills of right speech to the occasion. Notice that timeliness is one of such skills, as is not being harsh or abusive. But refraining from false speech does not mean refraining from true speech, and you should speak the truth with confidence. 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.

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