Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Posted by: Michael | 07/23/2015

Making Merit through Meditation

Since I first began to practice I have viewed formal meditation add something rarified that requires special preparation of the mind and a set of very fixed conditions which must be met for it to be “successful.” Like ask else, however, the truth of such ideas is commensurate only worth how far they can take you in the practice and I am at a point where continuing to hold onto these ideas is clearly holding me back.

My life, as are the lives of so many billions of others on this planet, is one which is not wholly devoted to the Dhamma but fragmented into greater parts of work and family obligations with maybe an hour a day to devote to bhavana. As such, the conditions for formal meditation are not always optimal and I generally have to adopt a take what I can get attitude which is five I suppose but does little to brighten the mind. The recent reminder I received from a Dhamma talk by Ajahn Achalo has helped me to see my formal practice in as more skilful and joyful manner however. Now, despite how “bad” the session is I can rejoice in the good kamma created which is a great way to brighten the mind and to fill up my electronic merit notebook. May you never have a wasted meditation again!

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Formal Meditation, Meditation Word, Theravada | Tags: bad meditation, formal sitting, good meditation, meditation

Posted by: Michael | 07/22/2015

No Sudden Breakthroughs

203. Just as the great ocean slopes away gradually, tends downwards gradually without any abrupt precipice, even so this Dhamma and discipline is a gradual doing, a gradual training, a gradual practice; there is no sudden penetration of knowledge.

Udana 54

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Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: instant enlightenment, kensho, Nirvana, satori

Posted by: Michael | 07/21/2015

The (Merit) Notebook

I believe I have written about this before and know that I have briefly experimented with the practice but, because I have taken it up again and it is on my mind, I thought it would be food to share the idea of a merit notebook. You see, yesterday at work I was listening to a Dhamma talk by Ajahn Achalo on the subject of how to die well. Speaking to this he brought up the belief that one’s mind state at the time of death is one of the most important factors in determining one’s rebirth. Add such, it is important that the mind stay as bright and joyous as possible which is why there odd a tradition in Sri Lanka of keeping personal records of one’s meritorious deeds so that one can reflect on them at the time of death. And, in the case where a person is unable to read the notebooks for themselves, the merit notebook can be read to them.

Seems like a great idea doesn’t it? I know that, even in the short span of one day it had great effect as I was able to reflect this morning on some of the few good deeds I had done and the mind instantly became brighter and more receptive to metta. Interestingly, i also forgot one thing I had written down which highlighted the need for a written record all the more.

Ajahn Achalo recommended recording not only acts of generosity but also meditatons you have done, pilgrimages, visits to teachers, precepts kept and any other form of merit made. St present I am using Evernote to keep track and then we’ll print the records of I am able to keep up the practice.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dana, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: caganussati, kusala kamma, merit, Puñña

Posted by: Michael | 07/20/2015

Something Like Hope

It has often occurred to me that the followers of Abrahamic religions, especially our Christian sisters and brothers, make much ado about the idea of hope, seemingly to good effect. As a good Buddhist, I have known for some time that hope is yet another forum of tanha, craving, and have necessarily viewed it with suspicion. And yet, given my own somewhat morose character, for much of my adolescence and early adulthood I was a card carrying nihilistic materialist so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I yet possess the same perceptual proclivities. As a result, it has long seemed to me that hope or something like it would be a great counter balance to the darkness that otherwise clouds my perception. And, I believe I may have found something that actually does better than foolish optimism and it has been staring me in the face for as long as I have known about Buddhism in this life.

Now, to give a philosophically satisfying account of hope and its Buddhist alternative would require a lengthy definition of terms so let me just get that out of the way at once: this will not be a philosophically satisfying blog post. What is ultimately satisfying, to yours truly, is the fact that every situation, every happiness and every pain is workable and presents us with the possibility of learning and growth in the Dhamma. This lion’s roar of the upasika/aka is the counter balance to the samvega and may be more aptly described by the Pali term passadha (have to check my spelling there since I’m worrying this on my phone on the R train). The fact that we can learn and, even find release, in any situation may just be the reason why a number of Buddhist teachers have come out against over-drugging during palliative care regimens and euthanasia (in addition to the fact that the layer clearly is in breach of the First Precept). Whatever the reason, I know for me that I can take heart that every situation, no matter how dire can be used for my own ultimate happiness and wellbeing. Sukhita hontu!

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: hope, lion's roar, optimism, passadha, samvega

Posted by: Michael | 07/19/2015

A Good Wife

200. Once, while the Lord was staying among the Bhaggis on the Crocodile Hill in the Deer Park at Bhesakala Grove, the good man Nakulapita lay sick, ailing and grievously ill. And his wife Nakulamata said to him: “I beg you, good man, do not die worried, for the Lord has said that fate of the worried is not good. Maybe you think: ‘Alas, when I am gone, my wife will be unable to support the children or keep the household together.’ But do not think like that, for I am skilled in spinning cotton and carding wool, and I will manage to support the children and keep the household together after you are gone.”
“Or maybe you think: ‘My wife will take another husband after I am gone.’ But do not think like that, for you and I know that for sixteen years we have lived as householders in the holy life.
“Or maybe you think: ‘My wife, after I am gone, will have no desire to see the Lord or to see the monks.’ But do not think like that, for my desire to see them shall be even greater.
“Or maybe you think: ‘My wife will not keep the virtues in full.’ But do not think like that, for as long as the Lord has female disciples dressed in white, living at home and keeping the virtues in full, I shall be one. And if any doubt it, let them ask the Lord.
“Or maybe you think: ‘After I am gone, my wife will not have a calm mind.’ But do not think like that, for as long as the Lord has female disciples dressed in white, living at home, who gain that state, I shall be one. And if any doubt it, let them ask the Lord.
“Or maybe you think: ‘My wife will not win a firm foundation, a firm foothold in this Dhamma and discipline. She will not win comfort, dissolve doubt, be free from uncertainty, become confident, self-reliant, and live by the Teacher’s words.’ But do not think like that, either. For as long as the Lord has female disciples dressed in white, living at home, who win a firm foundation, a firm foothold, who have won comfort, dissolved doubt, who are free from uncertainty, who have become confident, self-reliant and live by the Teacher’s words, I shall be one. And if any doubt it, let them go and ask the Lord.”
Now, while Nakulapita was being counselled thus by his wife, even as he lay there his sickness subsided and he recovered. And not long after, he got up, and leaning on a stick, Nakulapita went to visit the Lord and told him what had happened. And the Lord said: “It has been a gain; you have greatly gained from having Nakulamata as your counsellor and teacher, full of compassion for you, and desiring your welfare.

Anguttara Nikaya III.295

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Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: dhamma at home, husband, marriage, wife

Posted by: Michael | 07/17/2015

The Tathagata

198. When the Tathagata or the Tathagata’s disciples live in the world, it is done for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world -for the good, the welfare and the happiness of gods and men. And what is a Tathagata? Concerning this, a Tathagata arises in the world, a Noble One, fully enlightened Buddha, of perfect knowledge and conduct, happily attained, a knower of the worlds, a guide unsurpassed of men to be trained, a teacher of gods and men, a Buddha, the Lord.
And what is a Tathagata’s disciple? He is one who teaches Dhamma that is lovely at the beginning, lovely in the middle and lovely at the end, both in the letter and in the spirit. He makes plain the holy life, entirely complete and purified. This is the Tathagata and the Tathagata’s disciple, and when they live in the world, it is done for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, the welfare, the happiness of gods and men.

Anguttara Nikaya II.146

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Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada, Tisarana | Tags: Anguttara Nikaya, fully enlightened, LOrd Buddha, Tathagata

Posted by: Michael | 07/16/2015

The Practice of Parking Cars

Recently I have been putting more attention on the brahmaviharas. Along with this refocusing of my practice on the Four Immeasurables, I have also been doing my best to view the myriad, dukkha producing experiences of daily life as opportunities to practice for which I should be grateful. Why the gratitude and appreciation for stress and minor sufferings? Simply because in my present state as a human I am able to use them as stepping stones along the path whereas if I were born as an animal, hungry ghost or denizen of one of the narakas I would be far too deluded or in too much pain to do anything skilful. On the other hand, as Ajahn Anan has said, devas don’t generally have the chance to practice the Dhamma in the same way because much of the dukkha we experience in the form of minor discomforts just doesn’t exist for them until right before their millennial life span is ending.

Okay, so what does this have to do with parking? Well, parking, as you may know, has a special place in my heart and causes me more stress than I believe it should but that is where I find myself. Anyway, the other day we went to Rockaway Beach so my son could take some surfing lessons. We got there early but it didn’t matter because they’re was no parking to be found anywhere. I ended up circling around a 30 block radius for almost an hour but, because I was able to keep my wits about me, I didn’t add onto the dukkha that was already there and freak or as i normally would. What’s more when someone found a space I was prescient enough to (try to) rejoice in their good fortune rather than begrudging them their luck. It may not seem like much but to me it was and is a major victory over the forces of aversion and egotism.

Life seems so much easier when lived with heedfulness and in accord with the Dhamma. May I always remember this and meet ever with the Dhamma until Liberation.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dukkha, Gratitude, Mudita, Theravada | Tags: ajahn anan, appreciation, sympathetic joy

Posted by: Michael | 07/15/2015

Right Speech

63. Giving up lying, one becomes a speaker of the truth, reliable, trustworthy, dependable, not a deceiver of the world. Giving up slander, one does not repeat what is heard here, or repeat here what is heard there, for the purpose of causing divisions between people.
Thus, one is a reconciler of those who are divided and a combiner of those already united, rejoicing in concord, delighting in concord, promoting concord; concord is the motive of his speech.
Giving up harsh speech, one speaks what is blameless, pleasant to the ear, agreeable, going to the heart, urbane, pleasing, and liked by all.
Giving up useless chatter, one speaks at the right time, about the facts, to the point, about Dhamma and discipline, words worthy of being treasured up, seasonable, reasoned, clearly defined and connected to the goal.

Digha Nikaya I.

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Posted by: Michael | 07/14/2015

Pure, Peaceful, Kind

Pure. Peaceful. Kind. I have lately been using these three words as a type of mantra or parikamma to remind myself how I want the mind and heart to be disposed throughout the course of the day. In a way it is almost as if I am working backwards from the result and into the perceptions and practices that I can do in the present that will bring about the peace, purity and loving acceptance that I wish to embody.

What is perhaps most interesting about this is that I had begun doing something very similar already but was further encouraged to continue in this direction by the impromptu Dhamma talk govern by the Venerable Saddhasara last Saturday. So, may I do my best to keep my mind pure, peaceful and full of love today by using whatever skillful means ate necessary.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Karuna, Metta, Theravada | Tags: acceptance, Kind, Peace, peaceful, pure, purity

Posted by: Michael | 07/13/2015

Opening the Doors of the Immortal

194. First in the world is the Teacher, the mighty sage,
Next is the disciple, who has developed himself,
And then the learner who is walking the Path,
Who is deeply learned and who keeps
The rules of virtue perfectly.

These three are the highest among gods and men,
They are bringers of light, speakers of Dhamma,
They open the doors of the Immortal
And set many beings free from bondage.

Whoever walks the path clearly shown
By the matchless leader of the caravan,
And follows the teachings earnestly –
They will overcome suffering in this very life.

Itivuttaka 80

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Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: Dhamma-farers, itivuttaka, upasakas, upasikas