Monthly Archives: June 2012

“I am” the 5 aggregates

Posted on June 30, 2012 by

The aggregate of form, the material body, tells me where I am. The aggregate of feeling tells me how I am. The aggregate of cognition tells me what I am. The aggregate of volition tells me why I am. The … Continue reading →

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Overcome the 5 hindrances

Posted on June 29, 2012 by

As we overcome the five hindrances to spiritual cultivation: to be free of sensual desire is like being relieved from debt; to be free from aversion is like recovering from physical illness; to be unobstructed by sloth and torpor is … Continue reading →

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Mindfulness and clarity

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

When walking, he knows “I am walking”; when standing, he knows “I am standing”; when sitting, he knows “I am sitting”; when lying down, he knows “I am lying down”. —Buddha Shakyamuni, Satipatthana Sutta  Beyond basic mindfulness, it is advised … Continue reading →

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Daily movie

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

In the movies, the action on the screen can make us laugh or cry; it can inspire or terrorize, entertain us or bore us to tears. The characters we see can seem pleasant or unpleasant, beautiful or ugly, special or … Continue reading →

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Without artifice

Posted on June 26, 2012 by

Helping people steadfastly without artifice, having awakened, striving for the benefit of the living: the wise do this throughout the ages, and so attain the supreme joy of nondefilement. If people preach because of desire, they are said to have … Continue reading →

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The most excellent birth

Posted on June 25, 2012 by

There are four reasons why the birth of Bodhisattvas is most excellent among living beings: first, because it is based on ultimately pure accumulations of virtue; second, because it is chosen intentionally, with knowing discernment; third, because it is based … Continue reading →

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Arise and cease

Posted on June 24, 2012 by

Ordinarily, our attention is directed at the myriad thoughts that appear in the mind sequentially. Sometimes these thoughts have clear and purposeful connections between them; at other times, the connections are tenuous and seemingly random. When we identify with these … Continue reading →

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Killing in Our Name

Posted on June 23, 2012 by

Everyone fears punishment; everyone fears death, just as you do. Therefore do not kill or cause to kill. Everyone fears punishment; everyone loves life, as you do. Therefore do not kill or cause to kill.  Him I call superior who … Continue reading →

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Stop all argument

Posted on June 22, 2012 by

The inwardly realized signless sphere cannot be verbalized, having no expression. The ultimate truth that stops all argument transcends all aspects of thought and deliberation.  —Buddha Shakyamuni, Sandhinirmochana Sutra

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Dependent Origination

Posted on June 21, 2012 by

When this exists, that comes to be. With the arising of this, that arises. When this does not exist, that does not come to be. With the cessation of this, that ceases.  —Buddha Shakyamuni  Although often explained by way of … Continue reading →

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