Skills of the Dhamma Wheel
March 9th, 2010 | No Comments
Skills of the Dhamma Wheel
Listen to this audio dharma talk here:
The Ten Perfections
March 9th, 2010 | No Comments
The Ten Perfections
In the early centuries after the Buddha’s passing away, as Buddhism became a popular religion, the idea was formalized that there were three paths to awakening to choose from: the path to awakening as a disciple of a Buddha (s›vaka); the path to awakening as a private Buddha (pacceka-buddha), i.e., one who attained awakening on his own but was not able to teach the path of practice to others; and the path to awakening as a Rightly Self-awakened Buddha (samm› sambuddha). Each path was defined as consisting of perfections (p›ramı) of character,
The Noble Eightfold Path
March 4th, 2010 | No Comments
The Noble Eightfold Path
| 1. Right View | Wisdom | |
| 2. Right Intention | ||
| 3. Right Speech | Ethical Conduct | |
| 4. Right Action | ||
| 5. Right Livelihood | ||
| 6. Right Effort | Mental Development | |
| 7. Right Mindfulness | ||
| 8. Right Concentration |
The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things.
The Bhikkhus’ Rules
February 14th, 2010 | No Comments
The Bhikkhus’ Rules
A Guide for Laypeople
compiled and explained by
Bhikkhu Ariyesako
© 1999–2010
The Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings
January 17th, 2010 | No Comments
The Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings
(formerly “The Five Wonderful Precepts”)
(The Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings below are Zen Master Thich Nhat’s Hanh’s translation of the 5 basic precepts as taught by the Buddha Shakyamuni. The Buddha offered these precepts to both his ordained and lay followers so that they could have clear guidelines to lead mindful and joyful lives on the path to awakening. Thich Nhat Hanh has updated the precepts so that they are beautifully appropriate and relevant in today’s society. In his book entitled “For a Future to be Possible”, Thich Nhat Hanh describes in detail how the Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings can be used by anyone in today’s world to create a more harmonious and peaceful life.)
The Buddha’s Words on Kindness (Metta Sutta)
January 17th, 2010 | No Comments
The Buddha’s Words on Kindness (Metta Sutta)
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Excerpts from The Meaning of Life by Dalai Lama
January 1st, 2010 | No Comments
Excerpts from The Meaning of Life by Dalai Lama
Chapter 1. THE BUDDHIST WORLDVIEW
First, let me talk to the Buddhist practitioners in the audience about the proper motivation for listening to lectures on religion. A good motivation is important. The reason why we are discussing these matters is certainly not money, fame, or any other aspect of our livelihood during this life. There are plenty of activities that can bring these. The main reason why we have come here stems from a long-term concern.
It is a fact that everybody wants happiness and does not want suffering; there is no argument about this. But there is disagreement about how to achieve happiness and how to overcome problems. There are many types of happiness and many ways to achieve them, and there are also many types of sufferings and ways to overcome them. As Buddhists, however, we aim not merely for temporary relief and temporary beneÞt but for long-term results. Buddhists are concerned not only for this life but for life after life, on and on. We count not weeks or months or even years, but lives and eons.
The Meaning of Life
January 1st, 2010 | Comments Off
The Meaning of Life
By Chan Master Sheng Yen
Translation by Hao-De Zou
The Meaning of Life is to Fulfill One’s Duties and be Responsible
Many people ask me, “What is the intrinsic quality of life? What is the meaning of life? Where is the value in life? What is the purpose of life?”
The meaning of life is to fulfill one’s duties and be responsible. In the journey of life – from birth, to old age, to death – every person plays different roles. For example, children grow up to be parents and students become teachers. You may be a supervisor, an employee as well as a friend. All of these are duties – ethical relationships shared between people.
When duties are not fulfilled, it is said that the roles are “neither fish nor fowl”. This is a term used to describe strange phenomena. When looking at ourselves from an ethical perspective, we often discover that we are “neither fish nor fowl”.
On Making a Mistake – Ajahn Brahmavamso
December 31st, 2009 | No Comments
On Making a Mistake
Ajahn Brahmavamso
Ajahn Brahmavamso is the Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery in Wetern Australia. These Dhamma reflections are extracted from a talk he gave at the Dhammaloka Centre in Perth in 1990.
Enlightenment means there is no anger left in your heart. There are no personal desires or delusion left in your heart.
In this life that we have we often forget that it’s no great thing to make a mistake. In Buddhism it’s all right to make a mistake. It is all right to be imperfect. Isn’t that wonderful? This means that we have
Dhamma for Everyone
December 31st, 2009 | No Comments
Dhamma for Everyone
October 5, 1960
by
Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
(Phra Suddhidhammaransi Gambhiramedhacariya)
Translated from the Thai by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
Now I’m going to remind you of some of the Buddha’s teachings as a way of encouraging you to be intent on practicing correctly in line with the Buddha’s instructions. These teachings are called Dhamma. The Dhamma is an ornament for the mind. It’s also a means for developing the faculties of the mind. The teachings I’m about to
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