Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Posted by: Michael | 06/24/2016

Mudita

I have been working primarily with tonglen as a metta-karuna practice but this morning I found after some time I was coming up black worth specific people to give and take with. I switched to the breath but soon realized I was wandering from the low energy for to weeks of Ramadhan fasting so I turned back to the brahmaviharas. I focused for a bit on metta for myself with some interesting results and then I turned to mudita.

I have never really been able to practice it with immediate results but today was different. Using the breath I breathed in the happiness and good fortune of a person and thought to myself: May I have a share in your happiness. At cozy out almost felt like stealing but, as I was feeling actual joy arise, I continued. Eventually I got into a pattern of contemplating their good fortunes, success or happiness, inhaling it and echaron the wish that their blessing continue to grow.

I have to admit that I was completely surprised by the efficacy and I even experimented with people for whom I had previously felt some jealously to good effect. Having found a way in I hope to continue and build upon this success mindful, however, that everything is impermanent and subsequent sessions will likely be less exciting and energizing.

May you remove in your good fortune and may it be an aid to your practice.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Karuna, Metta, Mudita, Theravada | Tags: appreciative Joy, compassion, love

Posted by: Michael | 06/23/2016

Conceiving Hatred

174. One conceives hatred at the thought: “So-and-so has done me harm, he is doing me harm, he is going to do me harm.” One conceives hatred at the thought: “So-and-so has done harm to one dear and precious to me, he is doing harm to one dear and precious to me, he is going to do harm to one dear and precious to me.”
One conceives hatred at the thought: “So-and-so has done good to one not dear and precious to me, is doing good to one not dear and precious to me, is going to do good to one not dear and precious to me.” In this way, one is groundlessly annoyed.

Anguttara Nikaya V.150

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Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Metta, Theravada | Tags: annoyance, hatred, loving-kindness

Posted by: Michael | 06/22/2016

The Supreme Incinerator

It’s said that patience is the supreme incinerator of defilements and although I’ve always believed it I’ve never felt strong enough to practice it at home while everyone is being swept away by anger and irritation.

I can’t reiterate enough just how helpful the Eight Verses for training the mind and the lojong teachings in general have been for me. These teachings have helped me to change the way I frame my role in the world and allow me to endure things that I was unable to before. Why? Simply by changing my thinking. Accepting all blame and seeing myself as the least important person in the room may sound like bad above (it did to me at first) but doing so changes everything. Also, reflecting on the consequences of the answer is others around me and truly imagining vote they might fall into unfavorable rebirths has helped me to engender compassion and try my best not to inflame their anger anymore. And, finally, tonglen had been key, even if I am often dubious about it.

So, despite fasting with a headache and feeling feverish in 80 degree weather I am thankful for today’s victory.

May my pain and suffering in some way help to alleviate the pain and suffering of all beings.

May I take on the pain and suffering of all and share with them my merits, ease and comforts.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Fasting, Lojong, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: compassion, merit, patience, suffering, Tonglen

Posted by: Michael | 06/21/2016

Balance

172. The Venerable Sona, meditating in solitude, thought to himself: “The Lord’s disciples live in active energy and I am one of them, yet my mind is not detached and free from the defilements. My family is rich; I can forsake the training, return to the household life, enjoy riches and do good.”
Now, the Lord read his mind, and as easily as a strong man might stretch out his arm, appeared in front of Sona and said: “What do you think, Sona? In the past when you were at home, were you not skilled in the lute’s stringed music?”
“Yes, I was, Lord”.
“And when the strings were too tight, was the lute melodious and playable?”
“No, Lord.”
“But when the strings were too loose, was the lute melodious and playable?”
“No, Lord.”
“But when the strings were neither too tight nor too loose, but tuned to the middle pitch, was the lute then melodious and playable?”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Even so, Sona, when effort is too tight it ends in flurry, and when too loose ends in idleness. Therefore, stand firm in the balance, develop a balance in the faculties and thereby attain that which is of value”.

Anguttara Nikaya III.373

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Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Sangha, Theravada | Tags: balance, effort, sona bhikkhu

Posted by: Michael | 06/20/2016

Cherishing Others

May I always cherish living beings as supreme and may I constantly be concerned for their well-being.

It’s shocking good often I am unconcerned for the welfare of others, even those closest to me. May I not be lazy or indolent. May I cultivate a boundless heart of compassion.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Lojong, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: cherishing, compassion, concern

Posted by: Michael | 06/19/2016

Generosity

Giving Food, one gives and later gets Strength!
Giving Clothes, one gives and later gets Beauty!
Giving Medicine, one gives and later gets Health!
Giving Shelter, one gives and later gets Protection!
Giving Transport, one gives and later gets Swift Ease!
Giving Lamps, one gives and later gets Light and Sight!
Giving Learning, one gives and later gets Intelligence!
Giving True Dhamma, one gives & later gets Deathlessness!

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dana, Dhamma | Tags: generosity

Posted by: Michael | 06/16/2016

Care Kit

Got most of the items in today for the care kit. Just thought I’d share what it looks like.

Sabbe satta sukhita hontu!

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dana, Dhamma | Tags: donations, generosity, homeless care kit

Posted by: Michael | 06/16/2016

A Grain of Salt

167. If anyone were to say that just as a person does a deed, so is his experience determined by it, and if this were true, then living the holy life would not be possible – there would be no opportunity for the overcoming of suffering.
But if anyone were to say a person does a deed that is to be experienced, so does he experience it, then living the holy life would be possible – there would be an opportunity for the destruction of suffering.
For instance, a small evil deed done by one person may be experienced here in this life or perhaps not at all. Now, what sort of person commits a small evil that takes him to hell? Take a person who is careless in the development of body, speech and mind. He has not developed wisdom, he is insignificant, he has not developed himself, his life is restricted, and he is miserable. Even a small evil deed may bring such a person to hell.
Now, take the person who is careful in development of body, speech and mind, He has developed wisdom, he is not insignificant, he has developed himself, his life is unrestricted and he is immeasurable. For such a person, a small evil deed may be experienced here or perhaps not at all.
Suppose a man throws a grain of salt into a little cup of water. That water would be undrinkable. And why? Because the cup of water is small. Now, suppose a man throws a grain salt in River Ganges. That water would not be undrinkable. And why? Because the mass of water is great.

Anguttara Nikaya I.249

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Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: Anguttara Nikaya, buddha quotes, kamma

Posted by: Michael | 06/14/2016

Homeless Care Kit Practice

I owe the specifics of these care kits to the Portland Rescue Mission. Despite the fact that the price for putting these kits together was a little steep (around $200 for roughly 10 people) I pushed myself over the edge of miserliness and did it reflecting on the fact that the only thing we can take with us is our kamma.

I hope to assemble the kits with my kids this weekend and I’ll take a picture of the end result. Until that time I’m going to try to engage more with the people I meet on the street and trains to really practice heartfelt dana parami and metta parami.

PRM-Infographic-5-Things-Care-Kit-and-Mini-Fliers-web-page-001

PRM-Infographic-5-Things-Care-Kit-and-Mini-Fliers-web-page-002

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Posted in Buddhism, Dana, Dhamma, Metta | Tags: Care Kits, compassion, generosity, homelessness, Portland Rescue Mission

Posted by: Michael | 06/14/2016

Overcoming Disgust

When I think about compassion the image of the Lord Buddha bathing the sick, excrement covered monk who had been abandoned by his companions comes to mind more than anything else. It goes without saying that the Tathagata had perfected all of the virtues but his ability to put aside disgust and offer true, compassionate service is something which I am striving to attain.

Which brings me to my point : here, in NYC, summer is upon us which means the thousands of homeless people are seeking refuge from the heat in trains and stations. In the past I have shrunk away from them fire to their foul smell and an almost instinctual fear of contagion but what if I didn’t? What if I simply made myself present to them? Some time ago I made sure that I always had a bottle of hand sanitizer with me so I could shake any hands proffered so any not just prepare a little better so I can be of help?

In other words, I think I’ll take the time to create a little help pack with necessities like bottled water, wipes and medicines so I can offer help directly without fear of putting my health in danger and truly connecting with the person. For my part , it’s all fine and good to donate cash but there is nothing quite as rewarding or thrilling as opening a connection to someone. I’ll need to do some more research but I’ll be back to this later.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dana, Dhamma, Karuna, Theravada | Tags: compassion, disgust, help, homelessness, socially engaged Dhamma