Saturday, March 30, 2024

Daily Dharma: Glimpsing Nonself

 

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Glimpsing Nonself

Glimpsing nonself clearly, even for one moment, puts ordinary truth in perspective. When the conventional picture returns, we regard it differently. What a relief when we no longer have to take our “selves” so seriously!

Cynthia Thatcher, “Disconnect the Dots”


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Living Between Worlds
Amy Yee in Conversation with James Shaheen
Journalist Amy Yee discusses her new book which follows the lives of four Tibetan refugees over fourteen years as they forge new lives in exile.
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Friday, March 29, 2024

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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)

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

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Questions?
Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.



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Via Daily Dharma: Paying Attention Brings Gifts

 

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Paying Attention Brings Gifts 

Paying attention provides the gift of noticing and the gift of connecting. It provides the gift of seeing a little bit of ourselves in others, and of realizing that we’re not so awfully alone.

Sharon Salzberg, “A More Complete Attention”


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A Mess of Unwholesomeness
By Shodin K. Geiman
Scholar and Abbot Shodin K Geiman discusses the seriousness of the Buddhist hindrances.
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Dhamma Wheel
365 Days of Practice to Your Inbox
Commit to a year of contemplative study with Tricycle’s first-ever daily email course, created by Buddhist scholar Andrew Olendzki.
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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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.
Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning.
© 2024 Tricycle Foundation
89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Daily Dharma: Shame Is a Tool

 

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Shame Is a Tool

The Buddha called conscientious or moral shame a “bright guardian of the world,” since it has the capacity to soothe bruised honor and give rise to beneficial action.

Wendy Johnson, “Honorable Harvest”


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Remembering as an Act of Cultivating Clear Awareness
By Rebecca Li
As a part of the May We Gather series, Chan teacher Rebecca Li reflects on the role of memory in healing and growing in wisdom and compassion. 
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Dhamma Wheel
365 Days of Practice to Your Inbox
Commit to a year of contemplative study with Tricycle’s first-ever daily email course, created by Buddhist scholar Andrew Olendzki.
Enroll now »