The idea of faith in Buddhism was very confusing for me until I realized that it was faith in my own ability to awaken. This is the faith that we all have inherent Buddha nature (bodhicitta) – the compassion for ourselves and other beings to live in happiness and avoid suffering. The Buddha, himself, never […]
What is Dharma?
A lot of people new to the teaching of mindfulness ask the question, “What is dharma?” They hear it mentioned in so many different contexts that they become confused. But, like many words in English, dharma has many meanings. Buddhists all over the world talk about the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the dharma, and the […]
Words of Wisdom from Lao Tzu Part 2
Here is part 2 of the words of wisdom from Lao Tzu are from his famous book, Tao Te Ching. We are taught that “The tao that can be told of is not the absolute tao,” so please take this to heart as you explore these teachings. On being soft and slow: “The soft overcomes […]
Develop Your Own Path
The Buddha provided us with a wonderful eightfold path for us to discover our true nature and become enlightened. While this path worked for the Buddha and it would work for you, provided that you are diligent, you may still have to develop your own path. Michael Ray has an interesting idea about developing your […]
Confucius Says…
…read these words of wisdom to see what Confucius says! His timeless wisdom has shaped the lives and destinies of countless people in China and elsewhere. He was a contemporary of the Buddha and Lao Tzu and the religious traditions that flourished from these masters are still influencing us today. “Never impose on others what […]
Give As If There Is Nothing To Lose
These words of wisdom from Sallie Tisdale, author of Women of the Way: Discovering 2,500 Years of Buddhist Wisdom advises us to give as if there is nothing to lose. And really, what do we have to lose? All of our urgently felt needs for security vanish in light of our ultimate fate. Seeing the […]
Teachings on Interbeing with Carl Sagan
These teachings on interbeing with Carl Sagan may help us all recognize the interconnectedness of all life on earth. This beautiful video explores “the pale blue dot” that we live on and asks us to be kind to one another. He says, The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena…Our planet […]
Live Fully in the Present
Alan Watts once said For unless one is able to live fully in the present, the future is a hoax. There is no point whatever in making plans for a future which you will never be able to enjoy. When your plans mature, you will still be living for some other future beyond. You will never, never be […]
Take Refuge in Yourself
The Buddha teaches us to take refuge in yourself. Taking refuge in yourself gives you the strength to be just as you are, without having to impress anyone else or kowtow to anyone else. You become an island unto yourself. Oneself is one’s own protector (refuge) indeed, What other protector (refuge) can there be? With […]
More Teachings of the Buddha
Here are some more teachings of the Buddha from one of my favorites, Sharon Salzberg. These teachings are similar to ones that we have learned from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, dharma teacher, Glen Schneider, and the Order of Interbeing. Sharon invites us to contemplate the forces of greed, grasping, hatred, and delusion in our […]
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