Monthly Archives: February 2023

The realization of the natural state of all phenomena and the true nature of the mind, which is the absolute sphere of reality, is the wisdom of Dharmadhatu. The unobstructed clarity of pristine awareness’s naturally arising radiance is the mirror-like … Continue reading →

On the Path, positive experiences give us confidence. We appreciate them for that reason, but we don’t become attached to them or try to repeat them. As stated by Vasubandhu, these experiences are “only a transformation of consciousness.” No more … Continue reading →

The Buddhas are delighted when sentient beings are happy and distressed when they are suffering. —Shantideva

Friends, there are three kinds of suffering. What three? Suffering caused by pain, suffering due to change, and suffering caused by conditioned existence. These are the three kinds of suffering. The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct … Continue reading →

Start practicing loving-kindness with yourself. If you hate yourself, you tend to hate others. —Ajahn Sumedho

It is not enough to have invoked the Name; one must also have parted far from the five deeds of immediate retribution (matricide, parricide, killing a Bodhisattva, wounding a Buddha, dividing the Sangha) and from the rejection of the Dharma, … Continue reading →

If Bodhisattvas achieve four things, they will be protected from obstructers. What are the four? To understand that all phenomena are equal in nature; to strive vigorously for progress; to recollect the Buddha continually; and to dedicate all good roots … Continue reading →

Friends, four actions cast beings down to great suffering. What four? Killing sentient beings; encouraging others to kill; approving killing; and praising killing. These four actions cast beings down to great suffering. Four qualities raise beings up to great happiness. … Continue reading →

In the Dharma, the duty to prevent harm encompasses all those measures of warning, instruction, and enumeration of possible consequences that promote the safeguarding of discipline, morals, precepts, and vows of practitioners. Far from being attempts to instill fear or … Continue reading →

To instruct or order another to take life is a greater offense than doing it yourself. Some people kill because they are forced to do so by those who wield authority. Moreover, persons in servile conditions are often lacking in … Continue reading →