Entries from January 2008
January 27th, 2008 · 1 Comment
The question “what is the origin of Dharma” is an unusual one. Much like asking, “how is the sky blue,” and not “why is it blue. ” But what is the origin of Dharma?
More often we as western practitioners of Buddhism look to the effects of Dharma and not the origin of Dharma. People have commonly used the definition of Dharma as the body of teachings from the Buddha. Dharma is teaching. It is the teachings from texts and classrooms and Dharma teachers. Moreover, Dharma is the events of life [phenomena]. These are the opportunities we can use for…
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Tags: akusala, anger, compassion, dharma talk, hatred, ill will, kusala, meditation, vipassana
January 25th, 2008 · 3 Comments
Like the last leaf
that falls from the tree,
all things come to completion.
When I began this journey
I did not know the steps my sandals take,
Sadly at times I know where they will not.
I have left opened doors behind me,
walking away from gaping mouths
and statues with clay feet.
If I am to make my way into this life
I must risk the blessings
that have been lavished upon me.
It is from the goodness that…
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Tags: Dharma Poetry
January 12th, 2008 · 5 Comments
Meditation is the cornerstone of Buddhist practice. It can not be overstated. The pure act of meditation is the vehicle by which self knowledge is achieved. We as practitioners of meditation, if we are to be successful, need to be aware of the factors that impede our personal achievements in meditation. Theravada Buddhism stresses the need for meditation using the technique known as Vipassana or Insight Meditation.
There are found in Buddhism chiefly two types of meditation techniques. The Buddha developed two interrelated systems of meditation which enabled him to achieve enlightenment. The first meditational system is called the development…
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Tags: dharma talk, five hindrances, impermanence, metta, non-self, samadhi, suffering, vipassana
