Grant your blessings that my Dharma practice may become the path.
Grant your blessings that the path may clarify confusion.
Grant your blessings that confusion may dawn as wisdom.
--Gampopa
Grant your blessings that my mind may follow the Dharma.
Grant your blessings that my Dharma practice may become the path. Grant your blessings that the path may clarify confusion. Grant your blessings that confusion may dawn as wisdom. --Gampopa Most wholesome actions are difficult before they become easy. Most unwholesome actions are easy before they become difficult. - Tashi Norbu Rinpoche
Elevate your experience and remain wide open, like the sky.
Expand your mindfulness and remain pervasive, like the earth. Steady your attention and remain unshakeable, like a mountain. Brighten your awareness and remain shining, like a flame. Clear your thought-free wakefulness and remain lucid, like a crystal. --Dakpo Tashi Namgyal During a civil war in Japan, militias often invaded little villages. In one village everyone heard solders were coming and fled. When the militia arrived the village was vacant . . . except for one person, a zen master who remained to take care of the temple. The general of the army went to the temple to see who this lone inhabitant.
When he arrived the master didn’t bow or grovel. He didn’t even speak to the general at all. Feeling disrespected, the general became angry. He drew his sword and shouted, “You fool. Don’t you realize I could run you through without blinking an eye?” The Zen calmly replied, “Do you realize I could be run through without blinking an eye?” Surprised and awed by the master, the general simply left. This encounter, which is a popular teaching in the Zen tradition, is about equanimity or balance in the presence of various life issues. Using the prospect of one’s death, which is for many the greatest life fear, the story teaches that one can face anything – including death – in a balanced way. There is no need to react, cringe in fear, or panic. Equanimity is something which ought to be brought into all events which come our way. In times of pain and pleasure, in times of sorrow and happiness, we can train ourselves not be carried away by our emotions remembering to remain in a balanced state. For example, when we learn someone has gossiped about us we do not react by gossiping back nor feeling broken by what was said. When we are treated with contempt and rudeness, we do not lash out with anger. Or, when someone we love has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness, we do not collapse in dread. We choose to remain balanced, calm, even serene. A meditation teacher is part of an emergency rescue operation, like when police, paramedics, and rescue workers go in with sirens blaring, red and blue lights flashing, helicopters whirling overhead with search lights - to help people drowning in danger and distress. - Lama Zopa
Every major world religion has some version of the "golden rule" which simply states: treat others the way you wish to be treated. Here are some applications to consider for the way you live. They involve asking yourself questions such as these:
How would I like to be treated by someone smarter than I am? How would I like to be treated by someone wealthier than I am? How would I like to be treated by someone more attractive than I am? How would I like to be treated by someone with more power than I have? How would I like to be treated by someone physically stronger than I am? How would I like to be treated by someone who is far more popular than I am. How would I like to be treated by someone more politically connected than I am. This simple exercise will provide ample motivation and encouragement for us to treat others in more kind, gentle, patient ways. (feel free to re-post and/or link to your social media) Your actions determine your future. The choice of how you live and what you become is in your own hands. - Wu Wei.
In Tokyo where it's not a common sight to see monks begging for alms, one Buddhist monk - Shuei Mochizuki - has been a present daily fixture in Tokyo's luxurious Ginza District for ten years. He died on January 18th.
The website www.buddhistdoor.net reports that Mochizuki could regularly be seen standing or walking in a slow and deliberate meditative practice on the sidewalks as shoppers and visitors passed by. After beginning his practice in 2010, Mochizuki became known for his willingness to listen to the troubles of those who came to him and for his chanting of the Heart Sutra. He was seen either standing in meditation or walking slowly in meditative steps during which time he offered loving kindness meditation for world peace along with good health and equality for all beings. He was approachable with many stopping to ask for guidance over personal life issues. As a unique and regular fixture in the area, Mochizuki became a tourist attraction explaining: It seems some people have put pictures of me online too. Sometimes people try to take pictures of me discreetly without asking, thinking I don’t notice, but I do! [He laughs.] However, most people are being very polite and ask me if it’s okay to take my picture. I don’t mind at all. Sometimes people from South America, who are very relaxed, suddenly come to take selfies with me, putting their hand on my shoulder! [He laughs again.] It doesn’t matter if people are from Europe, or America or Japan—they all have the same questions. I used to have them too. The street culture of Tokyo was comfortable for Mochizuki because he spent 20 years living in New York City before returning to Japan. “The most important concept that the historical Buddha has left us is that everything is impermanent. All things change or will change. We can’t deny it. So, if you’re too attached to an idea, you’re doing something that is not natural.” After Mochizuki’s death, a makeshift memorial was created at the site where he was most often found chanting or speaking with strangers. Drops of water fall as rain,
creating many bubbles. These bubbles form, burst, and are no more. Know all things to be this way. —Buddha When presented with disquieting
thoughts or feelings, cultivate an opposite, elevated attitude. - Patanjali |
Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
May 2024
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