When Shinzen Young is asked, “Is there a quickest path to enlightenment?” he says, “Perhaps, but I don’t think it’s currently known by humanity. In our current stage of spiritual science, different approaches seem to work for different people. That’s why I like to give you folks a wide range of contrasting techniques to choose […]
Foundations Of Buddhist Thought – The Four Noble Truths
The foundations of Buddhist thought begin with the Four Noble Truths. These truths came to the Buddha after six years of ascetic practice when he sat alone under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. The first noble truth is known as the truth of suffering. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh likes to refer to it […]
The Five Remembrances
The Five Remembrances help us to embrace the realities of life. We all will grow old, get sick, and die. There is no escape. When we contemplate them daily, we get a perspective on life that is skillful and wholesome. Many versions exist. This version is from the Plum Village Chanting Book by Zen Master […]
Pearl Of Wisdom
This pearl of wisdom was written by Tao-hsuan in the early part of the seventh century. He was an important Chinese Buddhist scholar and the founder of the Lu-Tsung disciplinary school of Chinese Buddhism. One of the major teachings of the Buddha was written down as the Vinaya, which are the rules of conduct monastics living […]
A Marine And An Army Veteran
This article is related to two previous articles. The first one is on Jon Kabat-Zinn‘s consultation with top leaders in the United Kingdom last week about cutting health care costs (see Mindfulness In Health Care) and yesterday’s article about US Marines getting mindfulness training and yoga (see Marines Learning Push Ups For The Brain). On April 8, […]
The Next Buddha May Be A Sangha
The Weekly Words of Wisdom chosen by Lama Surya Das were spoken by my teacher, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. I have heard him say many times over the years of practice with him that the next Buddha may be a sangha – a community of practitioners working together to bring peace, love, and joy to […]
The Sound Of The Bell
The bell of mindfulness is one of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh‘s most remarkable teachings. He teaches us to stop and take three breaths whenever we hear the sound of the bell. The bell could be our doorbell, our cell phone, or the beautiful bell that you will find in all Buddhist monasteries and practice […]
Non-Attachment to Views
This week’s Words of Wisdom from Lama Surya Das are from the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. The 17th Karmapa is the leader of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. “When spiritual beliefs are used to build up walls between people, this is a total misunderstanding of the purpose of spirituality. Spirituality should mean coming […]
Samsara And The Realms Of Existence
This video came to me courtesy of my friend, Bhikkhu Samahita. He lives as a monk in Sri Lanka and sends me emails everyday. This one is about samsara and the realms of existence. Samsara refers to the Buddhist concept of our ordinary life as humans in a world of various activities that keep our […]
Getting Unstuck With Pema Chodron
This video is about getting unstuck with Pema Chodron. The talk was sponsored by Sounds True and was titled, “Fear and Fearlessness.” Pema is an American born nun in the Shambhala Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche. She is the abbess of Gampo Abbey on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Her life experience as a […]
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