Sunday 6 June 2010
How To Be a Buddha
There is a simple way to become a buddha: When you refrain from unwholesome actions, are not attached to birth and death, and are compassionate toward all sentient beings, respectful to seniors and kind to juniors, not excluding or desiring anything, with no designing thoughts or worries, you will be called a buddha. Do not seek anything else.
-Eidei Dogen, "Birth and Death"
-Eidei Dogen, "Birth and Death"
Sunday 31 January 2010
Anger vs. Patience
Think of anger. Anger is the mind that wishes to harm and hurt. Patience is the mind that holds back from harming or hurting. Anger is most difficult to deal with; patience is most difficult to develop. Patience is the only thing that defeats anger.
Don’t be disappointed if you can’t do it right away. Even after years of practice you may find that you’re still losing your temper. It’s all right. But you will also notice that the power of anger has weakened, that it doesn’t last as long, and does not as easily turn into hatred.
If patience comes easily to you, wonderful. If not, how do you go from anger to patience?
- Gelek Rimpoche, from "The Real Enemy" (Winter 2001)
Don’t be disappointed if you can’t do it right away. Even after years of practice you may find that you’re still losing your temper. It’s all right. But you will also notice that the power of anger has weakened, that it doesn’t last as long, and does not as easily turn into hatred.
If patience comes easily to you, wonderful. If not, how do you go from anger to patience?
- Gelek Rimpoche, from "The Real Enemy" (Winter 2001)
Saturday 9 January 2010
Tonglen
Tonglen is a Mahayana Buddhist practice, I read about this inspiring practice in Pema Chodron's 'Start Where You Are'.
Tonglen is a practice that allows us to encourage and develop a genuine emotional warmth (known as metta or maitri) using the situations we encounter, in our day to day lives.
Instructions and more information.
Tonglen is a practice that allows us to encourage and develop a genuine emotional warmth (known as metta or maitri) using the situations we encounter, in our day to day lives.
Instructions and more information.
Friday 8 January 2010
Saturday 2 January 2010
Not Reacting to Content
Eckhart Tolle has been a huge inspiration to me, whilst not a Buddhist he talks about many Buddhist principles in his teachings. The following little clip is a lovely example of Eckhart talking about equanimity and emptiness.
I must have watched this clip about 100 times! I find it useful, as a little reminder to separate my sense of self from my Buddha nature!
I must have watched this clip about 100 times! I find it useful, as a little reminder to separate my sense of self from my Buddha nature!
Friday 1 January 2010
Buddhist Meditation is Relaxing with the Truth
A friend of mine kindly brought the following article to my attention.
Buddhist Meditation is Relaxing with the Truth.
Buddhist Meditation is Relaxing with the Truth.
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