Monthly Archives: November 2014

Vows of Samantabhadra

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

May I be a good doctor for those who suffer illness, a capable guide for those who go astray, a bright lamp for those who dwell in darkness, an inexhaustible treasure for those in need. ―Avatamsaka Sutra

Posted in Sutra | 1 Comment

The Three Times

Posted on November 29, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

What is in the past is already destroyed. What is in the future has not yet arrived. What is in the present does not abide. Although we contemplate in this manner the production, destruction, scattering, and demolition of mental phenomena and phenomena arising … Continue reading →

Posted in Dharma View | 7 Comments

Scorched Seeds

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

Liberation is not a place, another realm, or a destination. It is an uprooting of the emotional afflictions in my mind, so that they never arise in the future and are purified within the expanse of suchness.   “Once the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dharma View | 3 Comments

A Different Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

I am not counting my material blessings today, although they are many. I am counting the blessings that endure. This precious human life is rare from the perspective of number, cause, quality, and frequency. I will take full advantage of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dharma View | 6 Comments

May All Be Happy!

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

For an infinite number of lifetimes I have had mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, teachers, friends, spouses, daughters, and sons. They have cried more tears for my sake than could fill one hundred million oceans. Is it not right for them now … Continue reading →

Posted in Dharma View | 2 Comments

Ease Now, Bliss Later

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

If we are freed of all lust, desire, attraction, thirst, passion, and craving for the manifold various forms, feelings, experiences, constructions, and varieties of consciousness, then, with the inevitable change in and alteration of these, we do not experience any disappointment, dissatisfaction, discontent, pain, frustration, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sutra | 4 Comments

Causes of Suffering

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

All of the suffering in the three lower realms and the two higher realms does not arise without causes and conditions. The cause is non-virtuous actions. Although there are various enumerations of non-virtuous acts, the principal ones to be abandoned are summarized as ten. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dharma View | 2 Comments

‘Being’ is a verb

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

Rebirth and reincarnation are not synonymous. Reincarnation presupposes a permanent self or soul that takes on various bodies sequentially. Rebirth is simply the continuation of action. Buddhists do not ‘believe’ in reincarnation. We simply observe the evident continuation of existence … Continue reading →

Posted in Q&A | 7 Comments

The Most Important Dialogue

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

― What, Venerable Lord, is the rewarding advantage of morality? ― Freedom from regret, Ananda. ― And what is the advantage of freedom from regret? ― Joy that produces bliss, Ananda. Bliss then generates happiness; happiness enables concentration; concentration facilitates … Continue reading →

Posted in Sutra | 5 Comments

Bright Aisles, Dark Alleys

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Tashi Nyima

“Having abandoned the taking of life, refraining from the taking of life, we dwell without violence, with the knife laid down —scrupulous, full of mercy— trembling with compassion for all sentient beings.”  ―Buddha Shakyamuni When people think of Buddhist monks, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dharma View | 23 Comments