Monthly Archives: September 2019

If sentient beings encounter Amideva’s light, their three defilements (attachment, aversion, indifference) are removed. They feel kindness, joy, and delight, and beneficial thoughts arise in their minds. If sentient beings in the three realms of suffering see His light, they … Continue reading →

There is suffering and we must understand it, and yet there is nothing to understand. There is the cause of suffering and we must eliminate it, and yet there is nothing to eliminate. There is the cessation of suffering and … Continue reading →

The Buddha Dharma is nowhere remote. It is in our minds. It is close to us. Suchness is nowhere external. If not within these bodies, where can it be found? —Kukai

Buddhahood cannot be attained elsewhere. If you seek it outside yourself, even the efforts of countless eons will fail to bear any fruit. Search not, strive not. Let your mind rest in its natural state. —Machig Labdron

The Dharma is beyond speech, but without speech it cannot be revealed. Suchness transcends forms, but without relying on forms it cannot be realized. Though one may err at times by taking the finger pointing at the moon to be … Continue reading →

Our problems don’t come from having feelings and emotions; they come from holding on to them. As Buddhists, we are training in non-attachment, not indifference. “Indifference” means you don’t care, whereas “non-attachment” means you don’t cling. —Ringu Tulku

The Buddha identified four foundations of mindfulness (catuḥ-smṛtyupasthāna) as antidotes to four habitual misunderstandings that are the root of suffering in everyday life. These mistakes lead to distorted perceptions, thoughts, and views that generate mental afflictions (attachment, aversion, and indifference). … Continue reading →

If we wish to walk the Way of the Buddha, unless we observe the precepts, we cannot reach the goal. Never violate either the basic or the higher precepts; firmly observe them and maintain ourselves clean and pure. […] Unless … Continue reading →

Things are not merely formed through causes and conditions; they actually are causes and conditions. These are two different statements. If we say a glass is produced by causes and conditions, it sounds like the glass is really there and … Continue reading →

When ordinary beings attain enlightenment, the storehouse consciousness becomes the mirror-like wisdom; the afflicted consciousness, the wisdom of equality; the mental consciousness, the wisdom of discernment; and the five sensory consciousnesses, all-accomplishing wisdom. The absence of all duality is the … Continue reading →