Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Home
Rumi warns us against those leaders who turn humans against humans with appeals to patriotism and love of home. Only a fool will allow this love, which is understandable and natural, to be transformed into hatred of others he does not know. In this way, he becomes the slave of the schemes and machinations of a nature which is clever but also base. Hence the first warning: Do not believe an absurdity, no matter who says it. These absurdities may and often do roll from the lips of persons set in authority above their fellow men. But those who preach hatred, distrust and hostility against other peoples do not merit our trust. They try to ensnare the feeble-minded with their bile.
But what, then is home? First, Rumi condemns as a fool the man who would define his home in terms of a political creation, be it city, state or empire. The true home is a boundless ocean, he writes. Man must think in terms of his species, linked across time and space. Equally he must cherish the planet on which he dwells and must avoid through love for any locality doing harm to the whole. But finally that “home” is something which the wiseman seeks, accepting suffering and loss as he does so. The way home, as Novalis would tell us, is an inward path.
http://harpers.org/archive/2008/12/hbc-90004100
http://www.twoinchesofftheground.com/sufi2.html
The World Peace Dorje
DZAMLING CHI DANG YUL KHAM DI DAG TU
In the world in general and in this nation
NED MUG TSHON SOK DUGNGAL MING MI DRAG
May not even the names disease, famine, war, and suffering be heard.
CHO DAN SONAM PALJOR GONG DU PHEL
May virtuous qualities, merit, and prosperity greatly increase
TAGTU TASHI DE LEG PHUN TSHOG SHOG
And may continuous good fortune and subline well-being perfectly arise.
by Jnana
In the world in general and in this nation
NED MUG TSHON SOK DUGNGAL MING MI DRAG
May not even the names disease, famine, war, and suffering be heard.
CHO DAN SONAM PALJOR GONG DU PHEL
May virtuous qualities, merit, and prosperity greatly increase
TAGTU TASHI DE LEG PHUN TSHOG SHOG
And may continuous good fortune and subline well-being perfectly arise.
by Jnana
A New Year's Poem
The Inner History of a Day
No one knew the name of this day;
Born quietly from deepest night,
It hid its face in light,
Demanded nothing for itself,
Opened out to offer each of us
A field of brightness that traveled ahead,
Providing in time, ground to hold our footsteps
And the light of thought to show the way.
The mind of the day draws no attention;
It dwells within the silence with elegance
To create a space for all our words,
Drawing us to listen inward and outward.
We seldom notice how each day is a holy place
Where the eucharist of the ordinary happens,
Transforming our broken fragments
Into an eternal continuity that keeps us.
Somewhere in us a dignity presides
That is more gracious than the smallness
That fuels us with fear and force,
A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.
So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown
And for the secret work
Through which the mind of the day
And wisdom of the soul become one.
-- from To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O'Donohue
from Akasa Levi
Poetry Chaikhana Home
No one knew the name of this day;
Born quietly from deepest night,
It hid its face in light,
Demanded nothing for itself,
Opened out to offer each of us
A field of brightness that traveled ahead,
Providing in time, ground to hold our footsteps
And the light of thought to show the way.
The mind of the day draws no attention;
It dwells within the silence with elegance
To create a space for all our words,
Drawing us to listen inward and outward.
We seldom notice how each day is a holy place
Where the eucharist of the ordinary happens,
Transforming our broken fragments
Into an eternal continuity that keeps us.
Somewhere in us a dignity presides
That is more gracious than the smallness
That fuels us with fear and force,
A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.
So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown
And for the secret work
Through which the mind of the day
And wisdom of the soul become one.
-- from To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O'Donohue
from Akasa Levi
Poetry Chaikhana Home
Monday, December 29, 2008
Youths throwing stones
is understandable...
for youth
but when we become adults,
isn't all this war stuff
really now,
rather silly?
Watch: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/515.html
for youth
but when we become adults,
isn't all this war stuff
really now,
rather silly?
Watch: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/515.html
So, what is karma in Buddhism?
1. Karma is a Sanskrit word that means "intentional/volitional or
willful action" and refers to the universal law of cause and effect.
Karma is a natural order of things, like water finding its own level.
2. Karma is created not only by physical action but also by thoughts
and words. Things we choose to do or say or think set karma into
motion.
3. Karma operates by itself, justly and, one might say, unforgivingly.
But karma can be broken, in fact, unwholesome or "bad" karma (negative
habits) can be consciously broken.
4. Karma is not "destiny" or "fate" or some kind of cosmic retribution
system.
5. Sometimes people use the word karma to mean the "result" of karma.
For example, someone might say B lost his job because "that's his
karma." However, as Buddhists use the word, karma is the action, NOT
the result. The effects of karma are spoken of as the "fruits" or the
"result" of karma.
6. In the Buddha's day, most religions in India taught that karma
operated in a simple straight line--past actions influence the
present; present actions influence the future. But in Buddhism, karma
is NON-LINEAR and complex. Karma, the Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu
says,"acts in multiple feedback loops, with the present moment being
shaped both by past and present actions; present actions shape not
only the future but also the present."
So, although the past has some influence on the present, the present
also is shaped by the actions of the present.
7. When we seem stuck in old, destructive patterns, it may not be the
karma of the past that's causing us to be stuck. If we're stuck, it's
more likely that we're re-creating the same old patterns with our
present thoughts and attitudes. To change our karma, and change our
lives, we have to change our minds.
"Cause and effect are One thing. And what is that one thing? You.
That's why what you do and what happens to you are the same thing."
8. "The theory of karma should not be confused with so-called 'moral
justice' or 'reward and punishment'... The term 'justice' is ambiguous
and dangerous, and in its name more harm than good is done to
humanity. The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect, of
action and reaction; it is a natural law, which has nothing to do with
the idea of justice or reward and punishment."
--Buddhist scholar Walpola Rahula.
9. Sometimes people talk about "good" and "bad" (or "evil") karma.
From the Buddhist perspectives, it's useful to substitute the words
"wholesome" and "unwholesome" for "good" and "bad/evil".
Wholesome actions spring from selfless compassion, loving-kindness,
and wisdom.
Unwholesome actions spring from greed, hate, and ignorance.
10. Although the fruits of "good" karma might be pleasant and
beneficial, ALL karma keeps one entangled in the cycle of death and
rebirth. Actions free from intention, desire, hate and delusion do not create either good or bad karma, but a third kind of karma. This karma is neither good or bad, neither black or white. This third kind of karma is very rarely discussed, but it is this one which is capable of putting an end to the other two kinds of karma. It is orld-transcending, above good and evil. To put an end to duality is to put an end to karma. Thus, this third kind of karma is the ending of all duality. In this the Buddha said,"I came to clear realization of this through my own sublime wisdom." It is something he came to realize with his own insight and then taught to all.
Merely producing good karma does not extinguish mental suffering completely and absolutely, because one goes right on being infatuated by and grasping at good karma.
sarva mangalam!
Bodhi svaha.
From Quasistellar:
http://groups.google.com/group/buddhaboy?hl=en
willful action" and refers to the universal law of cause and effect.
Karma is a natural order of things, like water finding its own level.
2. Karma is created not only by physical action but also by thoughts
and words. Things we choose to do or say or think set karma into
motion.
3. Karma operates by itself, justly and, one might say, unforgivingly.
But karma can be broken, in fact, unwholesome or "bad" karma (negative
habits) can be consciously broken.
4. Karma is not "destiny" or "fate" or some kind of cosmic retribution
system.
5. Sometimes people use the word karma to mean the "result" of karma.
For example, someone might say B lost his job because "that's his
karma." However, as Buddhists use the word, karma is the action, NOT
the result. The effects of karma are spoken of as the "fruits" or the
"result" of karma.
6. In the Buddha's day, most religions in India taught that karma
operated in a simple straight line--past actions influence the
present; present actions influence the future. But in Buddhism, karma
is NON-LINEAR and complex. Karma, the Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu
says,"acts in multiple feedback loops, with the present moment being
shaped both by past and present actions; present actions shape not
only the future but also the present."
So, although the past has some influence on the present, the present
also is shaped by the actions of the present.
7. When we seem stuck in old, destructive patterns, it may not be the
karma of the past that's causing us to be stuck. If we're stuck, it's
more likely that we're re-creating the same old patterns with our
present thoughts and attitudes. To change our karma, and change our
lives, we have to change our minds.
"Cause and effect are One thing. And what is that one thing? You.
That's why what you do and what happens to you are the same thing."
8. "The theory of karma should not be confused with so-called 'moral
justice' or 'reward and punishment'... The term 'justice' is ambiguous
and dangerous, and in its name more harm than good is done to
humanity. The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect, of
action and reaction; it is a natural law, which has nothing to do with
the idea of justice or reward and punishment."
--Buddhist scholar Walpola Rahula.
9. Sometimes people talk about "good" and "bad" (or "evil") karma.
From the Buddhist perspectives, it's useful to substitute the words
"wholesome" and "unwholesome" for "good" and "bad/evil".
Wholesome actions spring from selfless compassion, loving-kindness,
and wisdom.
Unwholesome actions spring from greed, hate, and ignorance.
10. Although the fruits of "good" karma might be pleasant and
beneficial, ALL karma keeps one entangled in the cycle of death and
rebirth. Actions free from intention, desire, hate and delusion do not create either good or bad karma, but a third kind of karma. This karma is neither good or bad, neither black or white. This third kind of karma is very rarely discussed, but it is this one which is capable of putting an end to the other two kinds of karma. It is orld-transcending, above good and evil. To put an end to duality is to put an end to karma. Thus, this third kind of karma is the ending of all duality. In this the Buddha said,"I came to clear realization of this through my own sublime wisdom." It is something he came to realize with his own insight and then taught to all.
Merely producing good karma does not extinguish mental suffering completely and absolutely, because one goes right on being infatuated by and grasping at good karma.
sarva mangalam!
Bodhi svaha.
From Quasistellar:
http://groups.google.com/group/buddhaboy?hl=en
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Hope arises anew
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/22/technology/22digital.html?_r=2&ref=business
Mark thee calendars: Feb. 17
A potential new day for the blooms of consciousness.
Mark thee calendars: Feb. 17
A potential new day for the blooms of consciousness.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bearing witness to everyday illusions
beautiful performances--how much of each day is filled with such nonsense?
Rowan Atkinson Invisible Drum Kit - VideoDart.com - The top video clips of the week are here
and how we fret about it
Rowan Atkinson Invisible Drum Kit - VideoDart.com - The top video clips of the week are here
and how we fret about it
quotes from my gurino
" There are NO Answers ~
Love the 'Questions' themselves." ~ Rainer Rilke
"One easily-made, very common mistake
is to think that 'your reality' is THE Reality.
You must always be prepared to bravely
leave your reality for a greater one." ~ Amaji Meera
"Kindness" is more important than 'Wisdom' -
and the 'clear recognition' of this -
IS the beginning of Wisdom." ~ Theodore Issac Rubin
"Your task is not to 'seek' for Love -
but merely to seek and find all the 'barriers'
within yourself, that you have built against Love." ~ Rumi
"When I see I am Nothing - that is Wisdom.
When I see I am Everything - that is Love.
And between these two, my life flows." ~ Nisargadatta
"Love and Compassion are Necessities -
Not Luxuries.
Without them humanity cannot survive." ~ The Dalai Lama
" BE the changes you want to see in the world." ~ Gandhi
thanks, Akasa
http://buddhablogone.blogspot.com/2008/11/buddhist-meditation-retreat-mindfulness.htmlThursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
that feeling
of trying to capture
that feeling
of purpose
and whimsy
of longing
and contentment
is that freedom?
is it love?
it seems to have no name
but the giddy sensations
and fresh ruminations
give it away
it is a giving
a joy
a spark
a union
fresh
and uncorrupted
that feeling
of purpose
and whimsy
of longing
and contentment
is that freedom?
is it love?
it seems to have no name
but the giddy sensations
and fresh ruminations
give it away
it is a giving
a joy
a spark
a union
fresh
and uncorrupted
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