#Virtual Sangha

[ididntorderthesoup]

I found an online Soto Zen sangha (community of ordained monks/nuns/preists and lay practioners) and joined. I'm making my way through their introduction videos and learning how they run things but they have a legit lineage and seem very wise and friendly. Most importantly they offer virtual zazen groups during hours I can actually attend on the weekends!

I hope it's a good fit.

#the soup talks #Buddhism #zen

[panatmansam]

IS ENLIGHTENMENT UNION WITH THE ETERNAL "ONE"?

I read a post discussing the concept of Buddhist nirvana as a state of union with the absolute, the universe, the all, called by the Vedic priests (there were no Hindus yet) "Brahman". The “raindrop falls into the sea” hypothesis. The Buddha flatly rejected this idea. He also flatly rejected the concept that we are extinguished upon death. 

His solution was a concept called "mindstream" or citta-santāna which is just our thoughts and sense impressions which he described as somehow continuing on to our next life. He was less than enthusiastic about this though. He, again and again, stressed that this life was what was important. Ending suffering here and now and teaching others.

It seems that many in the west including the author of the post who are convinced that nibbana is a mystical state achievable only by saints from antiquity who states "I suspect that for most of us, full enlightenment is not something we really know, certainly not something experienced. It is an ideal to guide practice rather than a goal that l actually expect to reach". The thing is that if one reads the Pali Canon it is apparent that virtually everybody in the sangha attains bodhi, awakening. 

It is a commonplace attainment. It is expected of each of us who undertake the training. What is this attainment? It is freedom from suffering. Freedom from fear even fear of death. It is attained through Buddhist meditation as taught in the suttas. Very simple and straightforward. The instructions are there for all to see because generations of men and women sacrificed their lives to preserve them for us. Do it, and attain liberation by changing your thought and perceptions as taught.

"I teach only suffering and the end of suffering".

-- Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 15:3

[planetdharma]

Karma Yoga: A Vehicle for Dharma Training

As I am getting ready to leave Clear Sky Retreat Center after being part of the Karma Yoga team, Cata and Sensei discuss with me some of the biggest challenges to maintaining an ongoing practice of Karma Yoga, or meditation in action through service. Their teaching addresses: Why Do Karma Yoga; Why Do Virtual Karma Yoga; Some Wrong Views people have about Karma Yoga; and What Impediments there are to not do Karma Yoga.

A Little History

Back in the days when the sangha was centered in Japan, the emphasis was on studying, meditating and listening to the teachings. It was more of a yogi tradition. Now that we are located at Clear Sky, it is more of a monastery tradition, or through Planet Dharma, a virtual monastery. For us, the shift from a yogi to a monastic path is also a shift from meditation to Karma Yoga as the primary vehicle for awakening quickly. The teachers emphasize that The More Advanced Path to Awakening is through Karma Yoga. This isn’t an easy transition for some students to make. Sensei says, “the [traditional discourse style] teachings are easier to take than the Karma Yoga because it is obvious if you didn’t do your dishes.”

Doug Sensei uses the teachings of the Dalai Lama as an example. Most people go to listen to the Dalai Lama talk; maybe they read his books. Mostly, people are receiving his wisdom more passively, giving him their attention and perhaps some Dana. Most people cannot unfold tangibly that way. People need to become aware through active teaching in order to make sustainable changes in their being.

How Karma Yoga Works

Just a minor description of how Karma Yoga works, from my perspective through my recent experience: When you are working for the teachers and trainers, mental models, blocks and attitudes arise that get in the way of working effectively for the greater good. While these blocks may arise in meditation, we don’t meditate long enough in our day-to-day lives to necessarily see them. Meanwhile, we can use our work as a source of meditation. In Karma Yoga, the concentration is on working for the greater good. Each work session is dedicated to the unfolding of all beings, and for the benefit of all beings. There is no ownership of the work. It is produced and offered up.

When doing karma yoga, the dull states, bad attitudes, ideas of grandeur, lack of methodical planning, taking on too much, taking on too little, procrastination, etc., become teaching points. It is an opportunity for us to use this uncomfortable spot as a place for liberation. The blocks may be more easily recognizable than when sitting on the cushion because the sangha (spiritual community), trainers, or teachers witness what is happening in your being as well.

Impediments to Karma Yoga

Sensei explains, that the path of Karma Yoga is particularly challenging for Westerners because they tend to be more individually minded. “When they do the work they think of themselves as the owner of the work, rather than realizing that the organization is giving them the opportunity for spiritual development through work.”

This brings us to one of the major incorrect views about Karma Yoga. People make the mistake of thinking that their work is doing the teachers, or the retreat center a favor and that they should be grateful. The student may think of it like volunteering. “While we appreciate what people do, our gratitude,” says Catherine Sensei, “is more like gratitude that the universe functions. Rather, you must see that Karma Yoga is a vehicle for Dharma training”.

The Need for Recognition

Another hindrance to doing Karma Yoga is the need for recognition. If you are on the fast path to awakening, then the teaching changes from seducing and wooing the student to focus on the work you do on yourself. Sensei says, “my teacher ignored me for two years. Do you need to be entertained to do the work? Most people want the feel good vibe, the hit.” Sensei’s teacher ignored him as a way to illustrate just how much his ego wanted ‘recognition’, helping him transcend that form of suffering.

This is not to say that Catherine and Doug Sensei do not appreciate or give recognition for work done. Catherine says it is a regular point of gratitude and acknowledgement, congeniality in recognizing the work that people do. However, she cautions, “it seems to hit a point where that’s not enough for people, like as if we’re just saying it (the gratitude).” It is important, Catherine cautions, to see this as a phase. It is important to know that this can occur and to recognize it as merely a phase, rather than getting discouraged by it and feeling the KY isn’t helping anymore. ‘Forewarned it forearmed, ” she says.

Doug Sensei adds to this, “Any relationship should give you praise or recognition. But in a way, the teacher’s job is to remove you from the need for praise. The spiritual unfolding of the student isn’t dependent on getting what she wants but getting over what she thinks she needs.”

Cata also suggests a self-reflection. “Different people have different paths. Some can keep a connection with the triple gem through their meditation practice. For others, that doesn’t work, and a better way is through karma yoga. They need a person on the other end. Look for that. See which, meditation or karma yoga, gives you what quality of juice.”

Source URL: https://www.planetdharma.com/karma-yoga-meditation-in-action-and-a-vehicle-for-dharma-training/

[veritanascoste]

La tela del ragno : MATRIX

È molto importante capire alcuni passaggi.

Certo, entriamo di nostra volontà per sperimentare il sentirci separati dalla FONTE. Lo facciamo fiduciosi e innocenti perché PRIMA,il male non esisteva.

Siamo entrati per nostra volontà ma dopo hanno cambiato le regole del gioco .

Oggi , dopo mille anni ..per ricreare questo mondo virtuale manca all' appello qualche sillaba per poter procedere verso un nuovo codice ❗

Ricordate, in tempo ...chi si ne rendeva conto della matrice virtuale cercando di fuggire, subiva l'elettroshock .

Siamo entrati così a fare fare dell' esperimento Anunnaki con l'inganno ❗

Fatelo sapere ❗

Questo esperimento si chiama " TRE COSCIENZE oppure DIVINA TRINITÀ ❗

Già ...hanno usato le religioni ❗ Siamo così rimasti incantati ...con la cancellazione della memoria❗

👇

Siamo divinità intrappolate in corpi biologici alla quale è stata tolta la memoria attraverso apparecchiature sofisticate ❗

La morte non doveva esistere ma in questo gioco macabro è stata inserita per poter generare sofferenza ❗

Autoprogrammarci è accettare di essere robot biologici ❗ Conoscenza del proprio sé per riprendere la propria memoria ontologica che ha bisogno di programmare❗ Chi capisce la differenza sta per uscire dal gioco, chiaro ❓ Il resto è agganciato  al sistema ...

A cosa servono gli

Psicoterapeuti, allenatori, terapisti, canalizzatori e attivatori di AND E MERKABAH, medici, scienziati❓

Mi dispiace dirlo, non lo sanno ma  tutti recitano la grande farsa per  mantenere viva l'illusione che i " padri padroni " hanno creato ❗

Trascorrono il loro tempo sostenendo la matrice ad ogni costo, sono loro che cercano di mantenere l'umano integrato, innamorato di questa realtà virtuale...che accetta ignaro ❗

È la realtà virtuale.

Come è stato questo gioco ASSURDO❓

Ci devono essere dei giocatori che forniscono il mantenimento ai giocatori che stanno soccombendo al gioco❗

I medici tengono il corpo dell'ologramma mal progettato malato e muore❗

Gli psicoterapeuti sostengono la mente umana che si impone e viene programmata o deprogrammata come vuole il sistema❗

La scienza è lo strumento del demiurgo per mantenere le menti intelligenti nel gioco delle nuove scoperte, delle nuove teorie che presto uccidono le nuove scoperte che ci fanno ancora cercare da dove vengono gli umani, povere "scimmie"❗

Couching supporta tutto ciò che gli altri non potrebbero supportare, motivandoti a continuare a comportarti (sopportare) bene nella matrice, nonostante i rimpianti.

❗

Meno sdraiati e più SILENZIO MENTALE, il silenzio mentale rigenera ❗

Meno psicoterapeuti e più SILENZIO MENTALE❗

Meno Medicina e più SILENZIO MENTALE.

Meno credenze scientifiche e più SILENZIO MENTALE❗

NON ignorare il discorso e iniziare a svegliarti❗Se questo è un mondo virtuale non va alimentato...mi sembra molto semplice ❗

Sono tanti guru dediti a riprogrammare  i robot biologici per poter sopportare nuovamente la Matrix ma questa crollerà assieme a tutti coloro che non hanno compreso ❗ Che fine faranno coloro che dormono ❓Rifaranno l'esperienza altrove ❗

Finché siamo proiettati in questa realtà virtuale,siamo nella dualità...quindi quello che devi fare è mettere a tacere la tua mente per far si che la tua coscienza  faccia un atto di presenza per vivere  nel mondo sapendo bene che non sei del mondo ❗

Solo il 20% non sarà riprogrammato .Questa matrice è destinata a collassare e loro lo sanno...

Il mondo è invaso da intelligenze artificiali che non hanno amore e non potranno mai averne .

Il lavoro del risveglio di coscienza è individuale ❗

È la cosiddetta TRINITÀ DIVINA, GADU, IL DO, L'UNO, SHIVA, BRAHMA, VISHNU per gli indù.

BUDDHA, DHARMA, SANGHA per il Buddismo la dottrina TRYKAYA.. .

ALEPH, MEM, SHIN Esoterismo ebraico e Kabbalah.

Un vero DIO con tre menti intelligenti❗

La triade è il numero sacro 3,6,9

Tutta questa creazione è composta da tre principi: Yin, Yang e l'equilibrio dell'intelligenza artificiale in cui siamo proiettati❗

Tutta l'umanità collettivamente è 'programmata' e 'codificata' e vedremo chi riuscirà a superare questi programmi, benvenuto nel futuro senza futuro... perché virtuale ❗

Copyright

Codice Genesi

https://t.me/httpR2aVkMTA0

[rishikeshadiyogi200]

Virtual Vinyasa: Navigating the Journey of 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training

Introduction: 

In the age of digital connectivity, the world of yoga has taken a transformative leap, bringing the sacred practice to the virtual realm. Rishikesh, renowned as the spiritual heart of yoga, is embracing this evolution with open arms. In this blog, we embark on a journey through the unique landscape of 200-hour online yoga teacher training, exploring how this innovative approach is redefining the way we connect with yoga in Rishikesh, even from a distance.

I. Rishikesh's Yogic Legacy in the Digital Era 

Rishikesh's rich yogic heritage is no longer confined to its geographical boundaries. With the emergence of 200-hour online yoga teacher training, the city's teachings are now accessible to practitioners worldwide. Embracing this digital transformation, Rishikesh continues to serve as a beacon of yogic wisdom, spreading its influence far beyond its physical landscape.

II. A Virtual Odyssey Unveiling the 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 

The 200-hour online yoga teacher training journey offers a unique blend of tradition and technology. Through virtual platforms, participants can now immerse themselves in the study of yoga philosophy, asanas, anatomy, and teaching methodology, all while connecting with experienced instructors from Rishikesh. This digital vinyasa allows individuals to balance their learning with personal commitments, bridging the geographical gap to deepen their practice.

III. Cultivating Connection in the Virtual Studio 

Despite the virtual nature of 200-hour online yoga teacher training, participants find a profound sense of community. Interactive live sessions, group discussions, and virtual mentorship ensure that the essence of connection and guidance is not lost. In this digital sanctuary, students foster connections with like-minded individuals from around the world, creating a global sangha that mirrors the communal spirit of Rishikesh.

IV. From Screen to Serenity

The Promise of Virtual Transformation Through 200-hour online yoga teacher training, the journey of transformation transcends the limitations of time and space. While practitioners may not be physically present in Rishikesh, the teachings resonate deeply, guiding them towards self-discovery, personal growth, and the pursuit of yogic wisdom. The virtual vinyasa becomes a bridge between the modern world and the ancient wisdom of Rishikesh.

Conclusion: 

The virtual vinyasa of 200-hour online yoga teacher training is a testament to Rishikesh's adaptability and resilience in the face of change. The city's teachings continue to transcend boundaries, reaching yoga enthusiasts worldwide who seek a transformative journey. As the world evolves, Rishikesh's spirit endures, offering an innovative way to connect with the city's timeless yogic legacy, bringing the transformative power of yoga in Rishikesh to practitioners across the globe.

#200 hour online yoga teacher training

[nedsecondline]

The 5 precepts of Buddhism

Originally posted on Holistic Virtual Sangha: As a Buddhist teacher, I want to briefly introduce you to the 5 fundamental principles of our practice,…The 5 precepts of Buddhism

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[insightmeditationcle]

Big changes at IMC…

And yet, almost nothing has changed

Insight Meditation Cleveland (IMC) has become an official 501c3 non-profit corporation.

Why? In order to continue providing programs and services to our sangha, we needed a more formal structure.

What will it mean for me? Hopefully not much. John will continue to be our guiding teacher, our sangha meetings and other programs will continue as they have in the past. The one difference you will see is a "Donate" button on our website.

Read on for more details.

How did we get here?

For nearly two decades John Cunningham ran IMC almost single-handedly with a little assistance from a few volunteers, and later with help from his wife, Laurie. In addition to teaching duties (giving Dharma talks at sangha meetings several evenings each week, mentoring students and answering their questions), he ran a mindful parenting group with Laurie, arranged for venues for sitting groups, organized two weekend retreats each year, managed the web site, and publicized all of IMC's activities. All while holding down a full-time job and raising a family.

In recent years John realized that, on order for IMC to grow, he would have to turn over some of the organizational duties to others. In the spring of 2020, the Dharma Council was formed. This group of dedicated volunteers, along with a few others, took on much of the day-to-day running of the sangha, organizing virtual sitting groups during the pandemic and later re-negotiating meeting spaces as we were able to resume meeting in person. In addition, they've created and managed new programs such as a monthly class for beginning meditators, an eight-week Introduction to Mindfulness class, the Mentoring Program, the True Refuge Companion Program and the IMC Book Group.

Now, we once again find ourselves at a crossroad. A guiding principle for IMC has always been that the teachings of the Buddha are priceless and, in that spirit, we have been dedicated to offering our programs and services freely. We are still firmly committed to that idea. However, the reality is that things cost money, more so now than in the past. The churches that used to be able to offer us meeting spaces for free now find that they need to charge us rent in order to continue their own mission. Retreat venues now require a sizable deposit up front. We must pay for web hosting as well as software and equipment in order to run virtual meetings and conduct other behind the scenes functions. And, finally, it is not prudent to continue offering our services without providing liability coverage to John and our volunteers.

Where are we going?

With our official non-profit status, hopefully you won't see much of a change except that we will continue to offer more opportunities to practice and learn. With the formation of the Dharma Council, and now a small Board of Directors (where John serves at the Vice President), John is freer to focus on his true mission: teaching.

The biggest change is that those who are so moved will now be able to donate money to support these activities. Over the years, many have generously offered financial support. For a long time, this support was not really needed and, more recently, we didn't have a way to accept it (beyond the very generous cash donations collected at sangha meetings) since we weren't an official entity.

Rest assured that our core mission has not changed and fund-raising will never be a main focus. We will still offer our programs for free, except where there are direct expenses, such as residential retreats. No one will ever be turned away because he or she doesn't or can't make a donation. Our financial needs are still relatively modest and we are committed to keeping it that way. IMC will continue to be run entirely by volunteers. However, if you are moved to offer dana (generosity) in the form of a financial contribution, you may do so using PayPal (the link is also now on our web site), or by sending a check to Insight Meditation Cleveland, Inc., PO Box 21689, South Euclid, OH 44121. All donations are tax-deductible.

With deep gratitude for your support,

The IMC Board Steve Williger, President John Cunningham, Vice President Heidi Wormser, Secretary Emily Koritz, Treasurer

[unleashyourbuddhanature]

Ongoing Lessons In My Delusion

Ongoing Lessons In My Delusion

It was back in 2017 when one of my teachers, Lama Chuck, retired from the Rime Center. I just called him one of my teachers but I don’t think he ever liked me very much. When he retired he said something that didn’t mean anything to me then, but it’s jumping out at me now. You see, his replacement Matt didn’t know if he should call himself a Lama or not, or so it seemed. And Chuck said…

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#buddhism #chan #Chuck Stanford #community #kansas city #Lama Chuck #Lama Matt #Matthew Rice #meditation #rime center #sangha #union #virtual #zen #zen monk #zen priest

[beingwhollyhuman]

"By the sixth century B.C.E., when Buddhism developed, the memory of pre-patriarchal society had been erased [in India]. Warfare, intensive agriculture, highly stratified societies with strong social and economic hierarchies, and male dominance socially and religiously, had become the expected norms. Buddhism, as we have seen, did not really participate in that society, but it did not seek to criticize and reform it either. Instead, its elite withdrew from that society into the countercultural monastic sangha, but they structured their own alternative society by incorporating into it the same values and norms regarding male dominance, while rejecting for themselves, but not society in general, virtually all other current conventions and norms, including militarism, agricultural labor, hierarchy of social caste, and economic self-sufficiency. For its non-monastic larger sangha, Buddhism relied upon prevailing Hindu and Confucian social codes, with their strongly defined gender roles in which women and men were seen as complementary, though not of equal importance. These social norms, already entrenched in pre-Buddhist culture in India and East Asia, included a clearly defines 'women's place.' That 'place' was one of formal subordination to males, whether father, husband, or son. Furthermore, that "place" was understood to involve family life, marriage, and reproduction, first and foremost. By and large Buddhists seem to have preferred that women stay in that 'place' and not seek refuge in monastic sangha.

Why was Buddhism so accommodating to its social environment, especially regarding gender arrangements? For on this issue alone, it accepted prevailing conventions, not only for the wider lay society but also for countercultural alternative society. And it did so despite developing its own dharma that is remarkably free of gender bias ['the dharma is neither male nor female']. This is an extremely tough puzzle to solve, more difficult than the emergency of patriarchy itself. But I believe two interlocking factors may explain Buddhist conventionality and conservatism on this issue. First is the fact that male dominance was already there as the norm for gender relations and second is the fact that Buddhism did not attempt to reconstruct or reform society because it saw withdrawal, rather than reconstruction, as the only feasible relationship with the larger society.

Had Buddhism been fortunate enough to enter history in an egalitarian rather than patriarchal society, it would just as happily have accommodated itself into that situation."

--Rita M. Gross, Buddhism After Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism

#patriarchy #rematriation #spirituality #buddhism #the work

[thebuddhistcentre]

Akshobhini on life during lockdown - part of our series marking International Women’s Day all week! “Kia ora, Namaste, my name is Akshobhini, I was ordained 3.5 years ago at Akashavana, Spain. I live in Auckland, New Zealand, where I have lived for the last 10 years. I live with my husband Dh Sujiva and our 8 year old son, Kabir. I am a Dharmacarini (Order member) of British East-African Indian (Gujarati) descent, a mother, and a medical doctor (Paediatrician). I attend a weekly Chapter (Order meeting) and have a creative practice of making malas in my (very little) free-time. In the last year, as a doctor, I have kept working through the lockdowns, and juggling home life, with home-schooling, and family life. I am immensely grateful for the situation in New Zealand, gratitude for ‘what is’, has been a strong practice. I have felt deeply the pain of the health sector as frontline warriors, in the global coronavirus pandemic. My Dharma lifestyle is to be active in the world, to have a right-livelihood of working with vulnerable children, young people and families in the field of child abuse. I attempt to bring qualities of grounded-ness, clarity and compassion to the work. Another practice is to be there for my family, to bring mindfulness to parenting, and to be kind to myself when the juggle gets too much! This last year has been challenging for me in some ways, and for so many globally. I have been heartened by the amazing resources made available in the Order in the last year. I especially look-forward to the weekly Bodhicitta Practice (meditation practice developing compassion for all beings). Connecting with the Order in this way, has kept my sense of our global Order alive, with us all there together virtually ‘turning towards suffering’, I connect to universal suffering and can ‘share the load’. The conversations in the Order about race and diversity have also been very moving for me personally as a woman of colour. I am grateful for my friends in the Sangha, and the support of Dharmacharinis locally for allowing a space for deeper conversations about race to take place. (Continued) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMO3uNYFVgI/?igshid=13j0blve5m94a

[helloenee]

to do 8/9/2020

attend sangha meetings (virtual)

update resume 

update linkedin 

respond to messages...?

sign up for some self-paced courses -- machine learning? algos (ew...)? comp graphics?

practice better sitting/standing posture

be a better and kinder human being? 

aight... i’m back in the game... argh.... i’m still so lazy but i need to move on from my funemployment life now >_< i will do my best 

#life in life

[panatmansam]

Practical "Down to Earth" Secular Buddhism

Buddhism is a lot of things, religion, philosophy, national tradition and practice. It is with the latter I am concerned. This is directed toward North Americans primarily.

 You may have been attracted to Buddhism based upon its lack of a creator God or simply from the serene beauty of a Zen garden. That really doesn't matter. What matters is you're here, now.

 You can join a temple. There are Western style temples much like churches with a variety of ethnic groups. There are ethnic temples which may be Korean, Vietnamese or other but all are welcoming to all.

 You may find a teacher and study directly with this teacher. How this is done depends largely on the tradition, but generally one would belong to a temple first.

 You may, and this is most common, study independently and find your "sangha" virtually. Many of you are starting here. I have done all three of these and I recommend that all Buddhists join an "in person" Buddhist community at some point in their career.

 Oh, let me address "Secular" in the Buddhist context. It generally means Western style Buddhism without any East Asian cultural overlay. Often with a slight Zen tone. There will be little reference to supernatural states or beings though reincarnation is accepted by a sizable percentage of Secular Buddhists.

 A Buddhist "Practice" consists of learning the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Number Eight of the Noble Eightfold Path is "Right Samadhi" or Right Meditation.

 A practicing Buddhist is one who meditates. There is a "proper" method of Buddhist meditation. It is very simple. One sits down on a cushion. Comfort is key. Back straight. Then, focusing the attention on the breath, breathe in MINDFULLY. That is we seek to focus our attention on the breath and not upon our fleeting thoughts. We do not try and force thoughts to stop. We just move back to breath without frustration. Emotions may come and go. We let them. They are visitors. Bring the mind back to the breath.

 How to sit Zazen at Home 20-minute Video:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB_13XRZPeQ)

 How to do the Three Part Meditation Breath  *Dirgha Pranayama:*

*(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wRuVCYhAjw)*

 This will lead to samatha, a feeling of serenity. This can be cultivated. This is that "Zen" peacefulness that Westerners love so much as that "moment of Zen". The key here is to sustain the periods of focus on the breath. Once this "focus" is learned and can be achieved more or less at will the Buddhist is ready for the next stage in their development.

 There are many tools the meditator can employ and there is no "cheating" at least in the beginning. Meditators can use candles or other visual attractors, they can chant mantras (phrases to aid concentration), music, binaural beats even metronomes.

 Another aid for meditators is the guided mediation where teachers speak you through a meditation. I recommend this for beginners or for times when we want a relaxing experience but in general it is not the ideal.

 Free Guided Mindfulness Meditations from UCLA

(https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations)

 Free Guided Buddhist Meditations from AudioDharma

(https://www.audiodharma.org/series/1/talk/1835/World)

 Buddhist Directory by Buddhanet. Find a Sangha near you

(https://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/)

#text

[dailydharmadosage2017]

Ananda’s Miraculous Power of Memory

Original Discourse By Venerable Jing Yuan; Translation by Studying The Dharma

We have to be very grateful to Ananda for the opportunity to be able to learn the teachings of the Buddha now. Ananda had remembered the discourses given by the Buddha and passed down the teachings.

Today, I have handed over the funds from my WeChat virtual credit to the respective venerable in charge of financial matters and these funds, under the name of Jing Yuan WeChat Group, will be used for supporting the sangha community in learning the treatises,. Through this donation of funds, may all those who support my articles posted in WeChat be blessed with great powerful memory like Ananda, practice the teachings and swiftly attain Buddhahood.

Ananda’s Miraculous Power of Memory

In the olden days where writing paper has not been invented, learning depends on strong power of memory. During the era of the Buddha, the disciples of the Buddha memorise the teachings of the Buddha, and the power of their memory are amazing.

Among the Buddha’s disciples, the Buddha’s assistant Ananda’s memory is the most outstanding. He is able to remember very clearly and distinctly whatever words that the Buddha has ever said, without missing a word or a sentence.

Someone once asked the Buddha, why is Ananda so amazing? The Buddha replied, ”This is because of merits.” The Buddha then brought up a past event.

Many eons ago, there is a venerable who has ordained a novice monk. The venerable was very strict in his teachings and the homework which he gave everyday was to memorize the sutras. If the sutras have been fully memorized, he will reward with with praises; however if the sutras have not been memorized fully, he will sternly give a scolding.

One day, the novice monk was crying as he walked along the road. When an elder asked why he was crying, the novice monk replied,“ My venerable master is very strict in his teachings, he gives a lot of homework and everyday I still have to go out for my alms rounds. If I have collected enough alms, then I can finish my homework on time; but if I return late from my alms round, I can’t finish memorizing the sutras and then I will be scolded. ”

The elder then told the novice monk, ”From today onwards, you can come to my house, I will offer you food and water, then you do not need to worry about your alms and can focus on memorizing the sutras.”

Thanks to the support from the elder, the novice monk is able to joyously finish his homework, and his venerable master is very pleased.

The Buddha then said, The venerable master later on became the Dipanara Buddha, and while I was the novice monk, the elder that supported the novice monk is Ananda of today. Due to the cause that Ananda had planted in the past to support someone in learning, he has reaped effect of strong powerful memory in this life.

Venerable Jing Yuan is currently the abbot of BW Monastery in Singapore. The original discourse of this article is in chinese and can be found here:  https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Ke4QTEICN7bHWJpnHtfXuA

If dharma teachings interest you, catch more snippets at BW Monastery – https://bwmonastery.org.sg/discourses/

#buddhism dharma lamrim bwmonastery

[ulfwolf]

Sex and Pride—Musing 86

A dungeon— walls a mile thick   Easier to escape than sex… than pride

The creatures of this earth are not only driven by sex but driven insane by it. And I think not only of the fight-to-the-death-for-the-right-to-impregnate animals, and there are quite a few of those about, I also think of our sweet humankind.

Surely, there must be a smoother, a more eloquent, a more aesthetically pleasing way to go about propagating the race. For viewed with the eyes of, say, a sex-less alien come for a brief visit, sex must appear as one of the most mysterious, odd-looking wastes of energy conceivable. Surely, this alien will turn to his host, face a virtual question mark: what on earth? (pun intended)

Well, yes, our host shrugs and smiles, a little or not a little embarrassed, that’s just the way it’s done here.

Alien shakes his alien head in bewildered wonder, groping for words. Coming up short.

Yes, sex is considered natural—since by natural we mean that it occurs in nature. Should it, though, to serve its purpose of procreation, necessarily be done this way, and with the amazing amount of highly charged emotive baggage that goes along with it? I think not. And I can think of a many different (and much better ways) of keeping the race turning over.

Escaping sex (for those who recognize its dangers—and we tend to call these people Saints) is near impossible. Near impossible. Not impossible. Near impossible.

The Buddha, for one, recognized the dungeon-like encasement that sex gleefully supplies our species, and therefore—as an act of kindness and compassion—outlawed sex for his monks.

According to the original Vinaya—the portion of the Buddhist canon that governs the Buddhist community of monks, intercourse was cause for immediate expulsion from the Sangha (the community).

Masturbation the same.

Even wet dreams were suspect and cause for investigation. If at all aided by a touch or two: expulsion.

Now, considering that many of his monks were young men, at the peak of their sexual powers and potential, the injunctions placed on them must have been pretty colossal. Another way to look at this though: the Buddha knew not only the havoc sex can and does raise with and in the mind, but also the size and power of the barrier to spiritual freedom that sex imposes.

No one driven by sex can meditate peacefully—which, in effect, is saying that no one driven by sex can meditate at all.

Many Christians over the millennia—especially the mystics—arrived at the same conclusion and strove (with varied success) to escape sex.

Mystics of many other religions, ditto.

In modern times, however, most religions have relaxed their celibacy ideals (and rules) to allow both marriage (Christianity and Zen Buddhism for two) and sex.

These days, even the Buddhist precepts for the lay follower do not ban sex, but do proscribe adultery. I don’t know that these precepts, say a millennium ago, did not demand celibacy. The Vinaya itself demands it even today.

I think that by bending the rules to accommodate the planetary insanity we call sex, we’ve also allowed back in play a formidable obstacle to our reaching true enlightenment, Nirvana.

As for pride (the other subject of the wolfku), also a daunting fiend—comes before a fall, said Lennon—even if a little easier to shed and be rid of.

Some people live for pride though.

And many live for both sex and pride.

What a planet.

::

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[bisiji3]

Even Eminent Monks Suffer from Illness - by Venerable Master Miao-Lien

In our monastery, there is a disciple whose daughter suffers from chronic headaches. When the headaches occur, the pain is so severe that she feels like killing herself by jumping off a building. It is not only ordinary people who cannot stand suffering and illness; when karmic retribution strikes, even extremely well-learned eminent monks and people of great virtue equally find the suffering hard to cope with.

There is such an incident described in The Biography of Dharma Master Xuanzang. Before Dharma Master Xuanzang met Treatise Master Silabhadra in India, Silabhadra was suffering from serious

illness. At the onset of a pain episode, his whole body would feel like it was being stung by needles and burnt by fire; it was so paintul that it was virtually unbearable. Even though he knew that committing suicide was not the solution, when he found that he could no longer bear the excruciating pain, he often thought of dying to achieve liberation.

One night, three Bodhisattvas appeared in his dream. He saw Manjushri Bodhisattva in gold, Guan Yin Bodhisattva in lapis lazuli, and Maitreya Bodhisattva in silver.

Manjushri Bodhisattva told him, "Treatise Master Silabhadra, you must never commit suicide. Three years from now, a Dharma Master from China will come to learn the Great Dharma from you and then disseminate the Buddhadharma in China. For the sake of Buddhism, you must bear the pain and suftering from illness. Because you were a king in many of your past lives, and because you were fond of eating meat, you harmed too many lives. When you harm a life, you must repay with a life. But because of the great power of the virtues and merits that you have accumulated through cultivation and

turning the Dharma Wheel, you have transformed severe karmic consequences into light retribution. You should now sincerely repent your sins and continue to propagate the Buddhadharma, and your bad karma will eventually disappear."

Three years later, Dharma Master Xuanzang, as foretold by the Bodhisattvas, arrived in India and sought to learn the Dharma from Treatise Master Silabhadra. Silabhadra instructed his disciple to tell Dharma Master Xuanzang about all the pain that he suffered from his illness and what the Bodhisattvas had told him in his dream. While telling the story, the disciple was in tears. Upon hearing what the disciple described, all members of the Sangha in the assembly sighed that the Law of Cause and Effect misses nothing. Dharma Master Xuanzang's feelings were a mix of joy and sadness, and he became more determined to diligently learn the Buddhadharma.

Look! Because Silabhadra craved meat in his past lives, when the time came, he had to bear the retribution of his bad karma. We practice the Buddha's teachings in order to be free from suffering and to gain happiness. As a Buddhist, if you continue to create bad causes, how will you be free from suffering and gain happiness? Therefore, you must refrain from killing and become a vegetarian.

Compassion for the animals aside, vegetarianism also looks out for our future so that we can avoid suffering from calamities and illness.

I hope that you understand cause and effect and are fearful of cause and effect. Change your habit of eating meat and fish. Don't be so daring and fearless, even in breaking the precepts. When karmic retribution strikes, you will not be able to handle it.

Let's think about it; if you punch me, l' ll kick you. Humans are like that. You not only kill animals, but also eat their flesh, drink their blood, and chew their bones. When the time comes for these bitter and deep-seated hatreds to mature, do you think they can forgive you?

By then, even if you kneel down and beg them, they will not forgive you. I hope that you all become vegetarians to avoid having to repay your debt of life, when all your crying and begging will come to no avail.

You enjoy eating meat and find it delicious now, but when the time comes to repay your debt and bear the consequences, don't blame anyone for your misfortune. You should know that killing generates life debts that, in your present life, will shorten your life and afflict you with illnesses. The effect in the future is to fall into the Three Lower Realms. I urge you to refrain from killing in order to avoid dire consequences.

[insightmeditationcle]

We are sorry to say that, given the rise in COVID cases in our area and the virulence of the Delta variant, we are suspending in-person sangha meetings effective immediately (with the exception of the Monday afternoon N. Royalton group — please see below for details). While we realize that virtual meetings are not ideal for many and are not acceptable to some, we feel that we have a responsibility to protect the safety of our community and have concluded that there just isn’t a safe way for most groups to meet indoors at this time.   We will continue to evaluate the situation. When it is safe, we will resume our previous schedule of in-person meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the meantime, please join our virtual meetings as you are able.  

Virtual Meeting Schedule

We are making the following changes to our schedule of virtual meetings.

Tuesday virtual meetings will be discontinued. (All regular Tuesday meetings will resume once we are able to meet in-person.)

We will add a weekly Wednesday virtual meeting (which we hope to continue once we are able to resume in-person meetings).

Weekly Thursday virtual meetings will continue until we can resume meeting in person.

The Monday N. Royalton group will continue to meet in person for the time being. All participants are required to wear masks. A Zoom option is available for those who prefer to join virtually.  

Please check the calendar for the latest schedule and Zoom links.  

October Retreat

Given the uncertainty of where we will be in the pandemic by mid October, we unfortunately must cancel the in-person retreat. However, we will offer a virtual retreat with Carol Blotter for that weekend (October 15-17). Look for details in the coming weeks.