1=Overview of and topical guide to Buddhism
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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin by reviewing briefly last week's session, including how contemporary practice can expand the traditional focus on ignorance to include contemporary psychological and social perspectives on further dimensions of ignorance, including our initially unconscious social conditioning. We look again briefly at how the Buddha related both to caste and to women's roles in the sangha, and the basic of social conditioning, including how this is related to "in-groups," "out-groups," and "implicit bias." Most of the talk is devoted to suggesting the basic ways that we can explore and transform social conditioning. We focus on the main supports for such practice, including working with groups and guidelines, knowing the history of a particular form of conditoning (we give the examples of gender and race), using different forms of inquiry, mindfulness in meditation and daily life (including being mindful of the judgmental mind, anger, sadness, shame, etc.), the heart practices (including the importance of self-love, compassion, forgiveness, and joy), and other practices, such as involving ritual. The talk is followed by discussion.
Dharma Seed - dharmaseed.org: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin by reviewing briefly last week's session, including how contemporary practice can expand the traditional focus on ignorance to include contemporary psychological and social perspectives on further dimensions of ignorance, including our initially unconscious social conditioning. We look again briefly at how the Buddha related both to caste and to women's roles in the sangha, and the basic of social conditioning, including how this is related to "in-groups," "out-groups," and "implicit bias." Most of the talk is devoted to suggesting the basic ways that we can explore and transform social conditioning. We focus on the main supports for such practice, including working with groups and guidelines, knowing the history of a particular form of conditoning (we give the examples of gender and race), using different forms of inquiry, mindfulness in meditation and daily life (including being mindful of the judgmental mind, anger, sadness, shame, etc.), the heart practices (including the importance of self-love, compassion, forgiveness, and joy), and other practices, such as involving ritual. The talk is followed by discussion.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin by reviewing briefly last week's session, including how contemporary practice can expand the traditional focus on ignorance to include contemporary psychological and social perspectives on further dimensions of ignorance, including our initially unconscious social conditioning. We look again briefly at how the Buddha related both to caste and to women's roles in the sangha, and the basic of social conditioning, including how this is related to "in-groups," "out-groups," and "implicit bias." Most of the talk is devoted to suggesting the basic ways that we can explore and transform social conditioning. We focus on the main supports for such practice, including working with groups and guidelines, knowing the history of a particular form of conditoning (we give the examples of gender and race), using different forms of inquiry, mindfulness in meditation and daily life (including being mindful of the judgmental mind, anger, sadness, shame, etc.), the heart practices (including the importance of self-love, compassion, forgiveness, and joy), and other practices, such as involving ritual. The talk is followed by discussion.
Exploring the factors of enlightenment, Vipassana teacher Trudy Goodman offers listeners ‘the good news' of Buddhist Practice.Today's podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This time on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Trudy Goodman explores:The balancing factor, energizing factors, and calming factors of enlightenmentManifesting metta through mindfulnessInvestigation into the truth of the dharma Offering compassion to the pain we feelThe beauty and profound stillness of a unified heart-mindBeing both the subject and object of experience Having faith in the strengthening of our mindfulness skillsThis episode was originally published on DharmaseedAbout Trudy Goodman:Trudy is a Vipassana teacher in the Theravada lineage and the Founding Teacher of InsightLA. For 25 years, in Cambridge, MA, Trudy practiced mindfulness-based psychotherapy with children, teenagers, couples and individuals. Trudy conducts retreats, engages in activism work, and teaches workshops worldwide and online. She is also the voice of Trudy the Love Barbarian in the Netflix series, The Midnight Gospel. You can learn more about Trudy's flourishing array of wonderful offerings at TrudyGoodman.com “We can be both the subject and object of experience. We can drop the whole thing and be neither. We have this capacity when we are willing to focus our attention, and, to focus our attention somewhere besides here, we discover a whole world of empathy, love, and intimate connection.” –Trudy GoodmanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin by focusing on a fundamental perspective for our practice: How our practice moves from underlying ignorance to wisdom. We look at both the traditional understanding of such ignorance and how contemporary psychological and social perspectives help us to identify further dimensions of ignorance, including our initially unconscious social conditioning. We start by considering how the Buddha related both to caste and to women's roles in the sangha. We then look at the nature of social conditioning, including how this is related to "in-groups" and "out-groups," along with "implicit bias," and ways that our practice can help us see more clearly and ultimately transform our social conditioning.
Dharma Seed - dharmaseed.org: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin by focusing on a fundamental perspective for our practice: How our practice moves from underlying ignorance to wisdom. We look at both the traditional understanding of such ignorance and how contemporary psychological and social perspectives help us to identify further dimensions of ignorance, including our initially unconscious social conditioning. We start by considering how the Buddha related both to caste and to women's roles in the sangha. We then look at the nature of social conditioning, including how this is related to "in-groups" and "out-groups," along with "implicit bias," and ways that our practice can help us see more clearly and ultimately transform our social conditioning.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin by focusing on a fundamental perspective for our practice: How our practice moves from underlying ignorance to wisdom. We look at both the traditional understanding of such ignorance and how contemporary psychological and social perspectives help us to identify further dimensions of ignorance, including our initially unconscious social conditioning. We start by considering how the Buddha related both to caste and to women's roles in the sangha. We then look at the nature of social conditioning, including how this is related to "in-groups" and "out-groups," along with "implicit bias," and ways that our practice can help us see more clearly and ultimately transform our social conditioning.
Citações e trechos do livro “Gates to Buddhist Practice”, e “Life in Relation to Death”, de Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche.Nascido no leste do Tibete (Kham), Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930 - 2002) foi um lama da escola Nyingma de Budismo Vajrayana tibetano. Aos quatro anos ele foi reconhecido como um tulku (encarnação de um mestre de meditação), e um recebeu treinamento rigoroso, aprofundoando seus estudos em extensos retiros.Em 1959, ele escapou da ocupação comunista do Tibete e viveu exilado em comunidades de refugiados na Índia e no Nepal até se estabelecer nos Estados Unidos, em 1979. Em 1994, mudou-se para o Brasil e começou a construção do seu centro principal, o Khadro Ling, no Rio Grande do Sul.Ao viajar e ensinar constantemente, irradiando entusiasmo e compaixão, tornou-se o lama do coração de centenas de alunos e foi uma inspiração profunda para milhares de outros.Quando lhe perguntavam por que, aos sessenta e quatro anos, mudou-se para a América do Sul ao invés de permanecer confortavelmente nos Estados Unidos, respondia: “Percebi a fé dos brasileiros e o seu interesse no Budismo e quis ensiná-los”.
Joseph Goldstein explores gradual cultivation, highlighting that even if we are suddenly awakened, we still must have an ongoing practice to work with hindrances and ingrained habits.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/insighthour and get on your way to being your best self.This week on Insight Hour, Joseph Goldstein discusses:The areas of life where clinging shows up most How clinging to sensory pleasures is so embedded in our cultureLightening up for enlightenment and not taking ourselves so seriously How a sense of humor can benefit our practice Unhelpful attachment to view and opinionThe unity of clarity and emptiness (self-existing wakefulness)The Buddhist meaning of unborn/unformed Uprooting of the view of self with the understanding that there is still more work to doHaving an ongoing, gradual cultivation of skillful means This episode was originally published on Dharmaseed and recorded at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, a non-profit organization founded by renowned meditation teachers Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg to integrate Buddhist study and practice.“Very often, people can have genuine realization and have a really deep understanding, and then get attached to that as if everything is done. So very often these folks can get engaged in skillful behavior, thinking it's all coming from their deep realization, it's really coming from all the work that still needs to be done.” –Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
I'm happy to share this rebroadcast of an interview I did with James Bae, the host of the "Buddhist Yoga" Youtube channel. In this deep-dive, we discuss my new book, Meditation Sickness, just out from University of Hawaii Press. This edited collection of translations by expert scholars lays out a range of Buddhist viewpoints about the potential side-effects of contemplative practice, and what happens when one crosses the line between expected challenges and true medical crises. Including ancient scriptures, writings by some of the most celebrated Buddhist meditation teachers of all time, as well as contemporary ethnographic reports from all over the Buddhist world, the book details the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment of "meditation sickness." Our conversation provides a detailed overview of the contents of the book, and illustrates why it is crucially important for Western meditators to be knowledgable about these phenomena. Enjoy! Resources mentioned in the episode:Pierce Salguero, Meditation Sickness: A Sourcebook of the Dangers of Buddhist Practice (2026). Pierce Salguero, “Meditation Sickness” in Medieval Chinese Buddhismand the Contemporary West (2023).Pierce's previous appearances on Buddhist Yoga: Buddhist Medicine and Contemplative Pedagogy ; The Contemporary Landscape of Buddhist HealingPierce's resource website: BuddhistMedicine.NetBecome a paid subscriber on blackberyl.substack.com to unlock our members-only benefits, including:PDF of the introduction to the 2026 book.
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Citações e trechos do livro “Gates to Buddhist Practice”, de Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche.Nascido no leste do Tibete (Kham), Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930 - 2002) foi um lama da escola Nyingma de Budismo Vajrayana tibetano. Aos quatro anos ele foi reconhecido como um tulku (encarnação de um mestre de meditação), e um recebeu treinamento rigoroso, aprofundoando seus estudos em extensos retiros.Em 1959, ele escapou da ocupação comunista do Tibete e viveu exilado em comunidades de refugiados na Índia e no Nepal até se estabelecer nos Estados Unidos, em 1979. Em 1994, mudou-se para o Brasil e começou a construção do seu centro principal, o Khadro Ling, no Rio Grande do Sul.Ao viajar e ensinar constantemente, irradiando entusiasmo e compaixão, tornou-se o lama do coração de centenas de alunos e foi uma inspiração profunda para milhares de outros.Quando lhe perguntavam por que, aos sessenta e quatro anos, mudou-se para a América do Sul ao invés de permanecer confortavelmente nos Estados Unidos, respondia: “Percebi a fé dos brasileiros e o seu interesse no Budismo e quis ensiná-los”.
Distinguishing aspiration from striving with ego, Joseph Goldstein gives listeners permission to have a sense of purpose along their spiritual path.This week on Insight Hour, Joseph Goldstein discusses:Having a sense of purpose within the impersonal nature of all things Aspiration: understanding why we are practicing What the Buddha said about purpose and aspiration on The Eightfold PathSeeing the world objectively without reference to the selfBeing a great faith follower versus a dharma followerResting in our practice and letting go of unhealthy striving Insight Meditation Society and its commitment to diversity Maintaining the right attitude and openness to all experiencesThis episode was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society Forest Refuge and originally published on Dharmaseed"The Buddha definitely laid out a goal. The Eightfold Path leads someplace—it's not just meandering around, not going any place. The Eightfold path is leading to awakening, to enlightenment. We can have that aspiration which sets the direction for our practice, we can say that is a sense of purpose, but we're seeing it not so much in terms of an egoful striving, but a realization of our values and what leads to the accomplishment of our values." – Joseph GoldsteinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This talk was given by Gil Fronsdal and Mohsen Mahdawi on 2026.01.13 at the Sati Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* Video of this talk is available at: https://youtu.be/wdENY_WKTLM. ******* A machine generated transcript of this talk is available. It has not been edited by a human, so errors will exist. Download Transcript: https://www.audiodharma.org/transcripts/24337/download ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This talk was given by Gil Fronsdal and Mohsen Mahdawi on 2026.01.13 at the Sati Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* Video of this talk is available at: https://youtu.be/wdENY_WKTLM. ******* A machine generated transcript of this talk is available. It has not been edited by a human, so errors will exist. Download Transcript: https://www.audiodharma.org/transcripts/24337/download ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
01/07/2026, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center. Sozan Michael McCord explores how waiting is not necessarily patience. And it is not a passive default. In this talk, the subject of patience is explored as one of the Buddhist "paramitas" (perfections) that are both fruits of practice and an area of one's life that is actively cultivated.
Today I sit down with Nick Canby, visiting assistant professor at Brown University and a clinical psychologist specializing in meditation and psychedelics. Together, we dive into Nick's research on the self — what is it and what it's like to lose it. Along the way, we mention some of the downsides of experiencing oneness and the complications of defining a mental health disorder.If you want to hear scholars and practitioners engaging in deep conversations about the dark side of Asian religions and medicines, then subscribe to Black Beryl wherever you get your podcasts. Also check out our members-only benefits on Substack.com to see what our guests have shared with you. Enjoy the show!Resources mentioned in this episode: Previous episode on meditation challenges with Willoughby Britton and Jared Lindahl List of Publications from the Varieties of Contemplative Experience studyCanby et al., "The Teacher Matters: The Role and Impact of Meditation Teachers in the Trajectories of Western Buddhist Meditators Experiencing Meditation-Related Challenges"Pierce's forthcoming volume, "Meditation Sickness: A Sourcebook on the Dangers of Buddhist Practice" Previous episode on madness and religious experience with Richard Saville-SmithNick's clinical practiceNick's profile on Cheetah HouseComplete list of Nick's publications Become a paid subscriber on blackberyl.substack.com to unlock our members-only benefits, including downloading:Article summarizing Nick's dissertation research on “loss of self” experiences50% off “Varieties of Ego-Dissolution” online course (research overview of the types of self-boundary dissolution and their impacts)
In the United States, we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this week. It's a time that brings up a variety of challenges for many people: family conflicts, political disagreements, concerns about overeating, and the painful historical roots of the holiday in colonial exploitation of Indigenous people. In this episode, we share a private talk and meditation Scott gave to the Train a Happy Mind community last Thanksgiving. In it, he grapples openly with these issues, while exploring how we can still make the holiday meaningful. How can we use the deeper spirit of Thanksgiving—generosity and gratitude—to expand compassion and awareness to include all beings across the planet? In this episode you'll learn:How to Celebrate Thanksgiving In a New WayHow to Do the Buddhist Practice of UniversalizingWhat Are the Five Delusions in BuddhismWhat Are the Antidotes to Buddhist DelusionsHow To Stay Open Through Both Pleasure and PainOverview:01:55 The Problematic Side of Thanksgiving03:45 A Broader Kind of Gathering08:02 Universalizing: How to Create a Mind of Sharing and Generosity11:21 Starting the Meditation: Settling In12:25 The Five Delusions16:12 Stabilize the Mind17:50 Love and Compassion23:52 Universalizing ThanksgivingSupport the show
Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - speaks about recovery from addiction in relation to Buddhist practice and responds to questions in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind. This episode was recorded at an online talk as the keynote speaker at an online summit conference of the international Buddhist Recovery Network. For more information: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to info@zaltho.org. Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also as ebook and audiobook) - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021, also as ebook and audiobook) - On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024, also as ebook) - Applied Zen- A Short Guide to an Active Meditation Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2025, also as ebook) https://www.zaltho.org/books/ To support, donate. If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you. Questions and Time Stamps: 31:28 Could you describe the two types of karma? And how do you spell "Mara," and what does it mean? 33:30 You mentioned that we don't really have choices. Could you say more about that? 35:06 What is the second part of making one's bed in the morning? 35:50 I am curious about your pilgrimage from Poland to Vietnam—could you share more about that? 39:12 What can I do in response to the rise of authoritarianism in the United States? 42:20 Could you explain the logic or purpose behind making one's bed in the morning? 44:37 How did you work through or heal from your war wounds? 46:29 Do you still attend AA meetings? 47:00 Could you tell us about your experience studying in a monastery? 48:20 Sometimes I can sit easily; other times it's difficult. How should I work with shorter or more challenging sitting periods? 50:40 What do you recommend for those of us who live alone and tend to stay in our heads a lot? 52:00 Regarding sitting with suffering—did you learn to do that on your own or with others? 53:55 Do you believe addiction can be cured? 56:20 Can you recommend any books that have been helpful to you?
In this insightful episode, we explore the nuanced teachings of anger within Buddhist practice, particularly how Western students may misinterpret traditional advice like "don't get angry." Join us as Dr. Harvey Aronson, also known as Lama Namgyal Dorje, offers a cross-cultural perspective that bridges Eastern wisdom with Western understanding. Discover how to navigate anger with awareness and compassion, transforming it into a source of personal growth and spiritual insight. Tune in to deepen your understanding of this powerful emotion and its role in your spiritual journey.Links to resources:Harvey/Lama Namgyal's upcoming teaching series at Dawn Mountain: https://www.dawnmountain.org/teaching-tuesdays-2/Dawn Mountain's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dawnmountain/featuredAnd their podcast:https://blubrry.com/dawnmountain/His book, Buddhist Practice on Western Ground: https://www.shambhala.com/buddhist-practice-on-western-ground-2842.htmlOther suggestions: Outshining Trauma: https://www.shambhala.com/outshining-trauma.html
Episode #387: “I think vipassana has always been a response to crisis, not just a quest for spiritual purity,” says Gustaaf Houtman, anthropologist and author of Traditions of Buddhist Practice in Burma and Mental Culture in Burmese Crisis Politics. Drawing on decades of research and immersion in the culture, Houtman connects meditation, language, politics, and cultural history, revealing a view of Burma's Buddhist traditions that resists Western simplifications. Houtman contrasts Western notions of religion—rooted in belief in abstract doctrines and separated from culture—with the Burmese concept of sāsana, the Buddha's dispensation, which is integrally embedded in historical and social life. He juxtaposes sāsana with bodha-batha, a term coined by the 19th century American missionary Adoniram Judson, which reframed Buddhism as a belief-based “-ism,” comparable to Christianity. This, Houtman argues, was not simply linguistic but ideological as well. In response, Burmese reformers emphasized Pāḷi terms like sāsana to defend Buddhism's historical and cultural depth, turning language into “a site of resistance” against Western cultural hegemony. This framework illuminates the importance of lineage in Burmese meditation. Unlike monastic ordination, which is formally documented, meditation instruction is informal and personal, requiring validation from respected teachers— and it rarely goes in a straight line. U Ba Khin's reliance on Webu Sayadaw's endorsement exemplifies how Burmese meditation culture depends on networks of trust and recognition. Houtman contrasts this complexity with S. N. Goenka's simplified lineage narrative, which, while pedagogically effective, erases the historical crises— British colonialism, military dictatorship, and cultural reform— that gave rise to vipassana. He links this history to Ledi Sayadaw, whose reforms empowered laypeople to sustain Buddhism during colonial rule, paving the way for later teachers like Mahasi Sayadaw and U Ba Khin. Meditation in Burma, Houtman emphasizes, has long been entwined with social and cultural life, politics, and survival, and is a source of cultural pride. Today, he supports exiled Burmese scholars through what he calls “academic activism,” insisting that understanding Burma requires joining its ongoing historical struggle. “If you stay with it, you will be drawn in. And if you're drawn in, you stay for the long haul.”
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question by someone just getting started in their Dhamma practise. Ajahn talks about karma, generosity and kindness; and the future results of our karma. He mentions rebirth, the fact that our mind doesn't just vanish at death, but will connect with a new body in one of the different realms of existence, according to our karma and attachments. Ajahn recommends to go back to what the Buddha himself actually taught, and explains that in the oldest part of the Theravada Pali Canon we can find the most authentic record of the Buddha's own words. He passes on two books summarizing the Noble Eight Fold Path based on these early suttas: Venerable Nyanatiloka, 'The Word of the Buddha', Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, 'The Noble Eightfold Path' Ajahn also recommends to establish a little shrine, and to keep that area 'sacred', by not doing any other activity than chanting and meditation there. He recommends to start a regular practice of Buddhist Chanting, and passes on our Amaravati Chanting Book, that includes both Pali and English Chants: Ajahn encourages the newcomer to regularly continue his practice of Ānāpānasati (Meditation on Mindfulness of Breathing'), that he has already gathered some experience with.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics
Dharma talk given by Lama Matthew Palden Gocha, August 17, 2025. Music by Barefoot Bran Music.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with brief instructions for developing samadhi (“placing together” or “concentration”), followed by basic mindfulness instructions and then guidance for working with the feeling-tone of pleasant or unpleasant, when it appears in the moderate range. We are mindful of pleasant or unpleasant and look for grasping or pushing away in some form, guided by core wisdom teachings.
Dharma Seed - dharmaseed.org: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with brief instructions for developing samadhi (“placing together” or “concentration”), followed by basic mindfulness instructions and then guidance for working with the feeling-tone of pleasant or unpleasant, when it appears in the moderate range. We are mindful of pleasant or unpleasant and look for grasping or pushing away in some form, guided by core wisdom teachings.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with brief instructions for developing samadhi (“placing together” or “concentration”), followed by basic mindfulness instructions and then guidance for working with the feeling-tone of pleasant or unpleasant, when it appears in the moderate range. We are mindful of pleasant or unpleasant and look for grasping or pushing away in some form, guided by core wisdom teachings.
venmo. Dharmapunxnyc patreon. www.patreon.com/dharmapunxnyc
Waylon asks the question: what is the Buddhist practice of Right Speech when it comes to hate and greed and lies? “From a Buddhist point of view, we need to be honest. We must not be harmful in our speech, but we need to be able to be frank. In fact, the Buddhist notion of idiot compassion would lead us to (hopefully) remember that allowing hate or lies or prejudice or violent speech to go unanswered in any way is actually harmful." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Giving, or dāna, is one of the most fundamental and beautiful practices in Buddhism. In this episode, we explore how giving is not just an act of generosity—it is a path to freedom, a way to dissolve the tight grip of self-centeredness and open our hearts to others. The Buddha taught that giving benefits both the giver and the receiver, creating the karmic cause for an abundance of whatever we give, be it materially, love, Dharma, or fearlessness. Giving also reduces attachment, and deepens our sense of interconnectedness. Four Ways to Practice Giving: - Materially - Dharma - Fearlessness - Love Giving Materially The simplest and most immediate form of generosity is offering material support—food, clothing, shelter, or financial aid. The Buddha and his monastic followers relied entirely on the generosity of laypeople for their survival, and even today, supporting others in need is considered a vital Buddhist practice. But material giving is not only about wealth; it is also about sharing whatever we have, no matter how small. Even a single grain of rice, when offered with a pure heart, carries immense merit (good karma). Giving Dharma We give Dharma by sharing wisdom, offering guidance, and teaching the path to liberation. Giving Dharma is considered the highest form of giving. A single word of wisdom, a book on Buddhist teachings, or even a moment of genuine encouragement can plant the seeds of awakening in another's heart. Unlike material gifts, which can be used up, the gift of Dharma continues to benefit a person for their entire life and beyond. Giving Fearlessness To give fearlessness is to offer safety, protection, and freedom from fear to others. This might mean standing up for someone who is vulnerable, comforting a friend in distress, or simply creating a space where people feel safe to be themselves. To give fearlessness can also be saving the lives of insects, animals, or people! Giving Love At its deepest level, all acts of generosity are rooted in love. Giving love can be through a kind word or simply by listening with undivided attention. It is to offer our presence, our patience, and our open-hearted acceptance. When we give love freely, without expectation, we emulate the boundless compassion of the Buddha. The Freedom of Letting Go In practicing generosity, we learn one of the greatest lessons of the Dharma: that clinging brings suffering, and letting go brings freedom. And in this giving, we find real joy—not in what we possess, but in what we share. Him I call a brahmana, who, in this world, has given up craving, and leaving the home-life has become a bhikkhu; who has eradicated craving and has come to the end of existence. --Buddha, The Dhammapada, Verse 416 References and Links Buddha (1986).The Dhammapada: Verses and Stories. Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A. (Website). Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon. Courtesy .of Nibbana.com. For free distribution only, as a gift of dhamma. Retrieved from https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=416 Je Tsongkhapa (2014). Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, by Je Tsongkhapa, Volume 2 (Kindle). Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua Cutler, Editor-in-Chief, and Guy Newlan, Editor. Find us at the links below: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Buddhismforeveryone Facebook Group:Join our private group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sanghatalk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddhism.with.joann.fox X: @Joannfox77 To learn more about virtual classes with JoAnn Fox: Buddhist Study Program
A commentary on an episode of the Hidden Brain podcast: "Emotions 2.0: What's Better than Being Happy?" and how being open to a variety of emotions, including negative ones, dovetails with Buddhist practice. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Emotional Diversity and Buddhist Practice (Updated) appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.
Here Akashamitra takes us through the first of the five spiritual faculties, shraddha, often translated as faith or confidence. Excerpted from the talk entitled Confidence, part of the series The Five Powers of the Mind given at London Buddhist Centre, 2024. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favourite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud
This dharma talk was given at Beginner's Mind Temple by visiting teacher Gaylon Ferguson. During the Fall 2024 Practice Period at Beginner's Mind Temple, the community is studying Dr. Ferguson's book “Welcoming Beginner's Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom on Experiencing Our True Nature.” Dr. Ferguson begins by talking about the historical and continuing connection between San Francisco Zen Center and the Shambhala International Buddhist community where he was trained. Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche were close friends in life, and our communities continue that connection and shared practices. In the second portion of the talk, Dr. Ferguson looks at five phrases and their interpretations from Zen and Tibetan Buddhist perspectives. The five phrase-topics covered are: beginner's mind; practice-realization; no gaining idea; buddha-buddha-buddha; and, “grief is a Buddha.” Recorded on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
In this episode, Sensei Michael shares reflections from the closing of a September 2024 sesshin at One River Zen. As the retreat draws to a close, he explores the powerful insights that arise when we step out of the stories we've created about ourselves and engage with the present moment. Drawing from Shōyōroku Case 32, "Kyōzan's State of Mind," Sensei Michael invites us to observe our thoughts and experience life directly, without being swept away by mental constructs.The episode also weaves in the teachings of Carl Jung from his Red Book, emphasizing the importance of letting go of fixed ideas and embracing the natural growth of our true selves. Just as Jung encourages growth without knowing the law of it, Sensei Michael reminds us that our practice is about meeting life as it is—not as we think it should be.Join us as we explore how to shift beyond intellectual understanding and step into the boundless nature of being. Remember, once you've seen your true nature, you can't unsee it—but continued practice is essential, as the weeds of delusion can quickly grow back.Key Points:The seductive power of personal stories and how to step beyond themReflections on Shōyōroku Case 32 and Kyōzan's guidance on observing thoughtInsights from Carl Jung's Red Book on natural growth and letting go of the small selfThe importance of continued practice to prevent delusions from creeping back inTakeaway: Let go of who you think you should be, and find your life where it is, right here and now. But don't stop practicing—true insight requires ongoing effort.Tune in and reflect with us at oneriverzen.org! Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
We have a very special episode of Buddhability! You can listen as usual or watch the video on YouTube. Today's guest, Orlando Bloom, sits down to discuss how his Buddhist practice has informed everything from his breakout role as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings to how he confronts his limitations in his new show On The Edge. Orlando shares insights he's gathered throughout his life since encountering SGI Nichiren Buddhism at age 16. He opens up about staying grounded with his sudden rise to fame, following a Buddhist example of a fulfilling life, and how he shows up to his relationships and the challenges of daily life.In this interview, we discuss:02:35 Orlando's rambunctious childhood08:46 Seeking a meaningful way of life22:15 Practicing Buddhism when he hit sudden fame29:27 Community is crucial for our growth38:20 Having a mentor in life51:00 Breaking free from self-isolation54:45 Deciding to incorporate his practice on his new TV Show1:00:15 Confronting fears1:11:00 Don't be afraid to make mistakes1:19:12 Orlando's advice for curious listeners Learn more here:Basics of BuddhismChanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyoBuddhist CommunityBuddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda Connect with usReach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to check out a local Buddhability community. www.buddhability.org Instagram: @buddhabilityTikTok @buddhabilityFacebook @buddhability
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Dhammamegha speaks to Bodhidasa in Sydney, Australia, about his upcoming book Approaching Enlightenment: A Guidebook for Buddhist Ritual. The conversation covers: Bodhidasa as a practitioner, teacher, and self-declared geek. We'll hear about his interests in magic, games, popular culture, and literature, and how these are part of his practice and the book. How ritual, archetypes, and myth enable a connection with transpersonal and enlightened qualities and potentials. Different approaches to Buddhist practice - from ascetic and austere approaches on the one hand, to those drawn to objects, worldly activities, and emotions of devotion, joy, and integration. Cultural tensions between secular life and ritual practices, and the Buddhist tradition's own relationships with ritual—as a fetter and as a path. How ritual opens us up to something inconvenient—the possibility that there is more in you and others than the limits we impose. Bodhidasa's own integration of elements of ritual into his day—through offering, worship, going for refuge, confession, and rejoicing. Useful Links: PUJA: The Triratna Book of Buddhist Devotional Texts. Creative Symbols of Tantric Buddhism is available in Volume 13 of the Complete Works of Sangharakshita FutureDharma Fund. Follow Windhorse Publications on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Send me your thoughts in a Text MessageMeet Doug Kraft and get practical advice on using Buddhist practice to end suffering. This conversation is filled with clear, simple pointers and tools you can apply today. You do not need to be a Buddhist to practice meditation and relaxation into awareness. You can start now and explore what happens if you apply the method of the Six R's and other tools that Doug is generously sharing. Doug Kraft is a meditation teacher, psychotherapist, Unitarian Universalist minister, and author of Circling Home, Buddha's Map, Meditator's Field Guide, Befriending the Mind, and Presence, to name a few. More info at https://www.easingawake.com/?p=Books. He was the lead minister in Sacramento for 14 years before retiring to spend more time teaching the Dhammā and mentoring meditators. He lives in Sacramento along the American River with his wife and cat. Recently he became a doting grandfather. More info at http://www.dougkraft.com/?p=DougYou can get in touch with Dough by emailing him on doug@easingawake.comIf you need assistance with your own inquiry come to Liberation Unleashed where you can register for a free account and get a volunteer guide completely free of charge. Or if you need my support, send me an email through my website which is http://www.IlonaCiunaite.com I'll be happy to help. Liberation UnleashedHttp://www.liberationunleashed.comIlona's Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/markedeternalLiberation Unleashed book is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Liberation-Unleashed-Breaking-Illusion-Separate/dp/B0BGNKWHQ6#awakeningnow #ilonaciunaite #self-inquiry Info about free monthly meetings on Zoom http://ilonaciunaite.com/events/Podcast https://awakeningnow.buzzsprout.comMusic by Valdi Sabev, Visit his channel for more calm and relaxed music https://www.youtube.com/c/ValdiSabev/featured00:00:00 Introduction00:03:30 What is awakening?00:10:27 What drives seeking?00:14:07 Trying too hard00:17:57 Six R's strategy00:22:27 Four Noble Truths00:26:57 Non-dual awareness00:32:02 Awareness of content and processes00:38:17 What is always here?00:44:27 The path to freedom00:48:57 Resistance00:54:02 Drawn or pushed00:55:57 Last wordsWebsiteshttp://ilonaciunaite.comhttp://liberationunleashed.com
Ajahn Santutthi reminds us to be light hearted and have fun in our Buddhist practice. The BSWA is now using Ko-fi for donations. Please join us on Ko-fi and cancel your donations via Patreon. Thanks for your ongoing support! To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.
In this week's Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon shares a simple Buddhist practice that you can do anywhere, anytime. " One of the most wonderful Buddhist instructions for how to become present and available, open, joyful, and genuine, in your life is as simple as this: any time of the day, particularly if you're having a hard time, if you're feeling speedy, if you're feeling exhausted, look out your window. Go outside if you can. Then..." ~ Waylon Lewis Subscribe to get our full conversations weekly.
Daylen Heidt, of Houston, grew up labeled as a “bad kid.” Everything changed when they started practicing Buddhism just over a year ago. Buddhism teaches that we're the protagonists of our lives and have the power to write, perform and direct our dream script. Today, Daylen shares their journey from being directionless and hopeless to living with courage and purpose. Reference:The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 165–66 Cheat Sheet:06:40 Daylen finds Buddhism at a time of uncertainty11:05 Connecting with their local Buddhist community18:27 Finding the courage to repair relationships24:25 Defying their “bad student” label30:40 Seeing yourself as the protagonist of your life36:30 How Buddhism has changed their life
Want to try something special for your Buddhist practice this year? Mix in a monthly focus that compliments your daily practice! Join me in incorporating the Threefold Training throughout the year and be exposed to different Buddhist practices. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 The Eightfold Path & Threefold Training 02:00 The 12 Month Plan 03:27 Wisdom 11:26 Conduct & Morality 19:00 Concentration 28:12 Conclusion Get the 12 Month Practice Graphic: https://alanpeto.gumroad.com/l/BuddhismGraphics Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alanpeto/message
Going through questions submitted by meditators on retreat, Jill Shepard asks Joseph about discernment and other Buddhist practices.This episode was recorded as part of a three-month retreat at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published by Dharmaseed In this episode, Joseph answers questions on:What it means to waste your sufferingTurning attention inward and looking at the cause of sufferingAttachment, resistance, and false perceptionSelf and anatta (not-self)The wholesome and unwholesome roots of all skillful actionsLooking honestly at our intentions and motivationsHonoring the presence of our emotions versus being caught by themThe message we can receive from angerDiscernment and bringing mindfulness into loveLiberation through non-clingingWorking with doubt and the inner voice that fools and seduces usSurrendering to the DharmaHow practice prepares us for growing old“It's really important to be honest about the range of our own motivations because if we're not honest about it, we're not going to see it. If we don't see it, we may very well be acting on the unwholesome motivations.” – Joseph GoldsteinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dharma Seed - dharmaseed.org: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center)
(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center)
(Aloka Earth Room) Short Reflection & Guided Meditation | Wednesday-Mornings | 27
Dharma Seed - dharmaseed.org: dharma talks and meditation instruction
(Aloka Earth Room) Short Reflection & Guided Meditation | Wednesday-Mornings | 27
Sometimes we feel uninspired to practice the Buddhist path. Ajahn Munissara shares some stories about her struggles and encourages us to keep on practising. To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018. Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.
#199 Today is Wednesday, time for a little wellness boost – a shortened episode to help keep your Warrior Vibe high.This show is a Walking the Talk Vancast, a portable episode that's informal and casual, recorded on the go from wherever Kathy finds herself on the day of recording.Kathy's on the road, heading home from a cross country trip, recording vancasts for future episodes. She's sharing a practice called R.A.I.N. that's helpful when navigating life challenges and difficult emotions.Kathy then invites you to experiment with R.A.I.N. by walking you through the four-step process. If you've been looking for a new method to help you work through difficult situations and emotions, this is the episode for you!Links:From Type A to Type Be Course: Course overview/sampleFrom Type A to Type Be Coaching: AthenaWellness.com/coachingEmail Kathy: hello@athenawellness.comIf you'd like to join our circle and never miss a weekly episode, please hit subscribe. While you're there, you can rate the podcast by highlighting the stars that match your experience. Much appreciated!For episode materials, show notes or to submit a question for a future episode, visit: https://athenawellness.com/podcast
Today's episode is for beginners, though the takeaways are refreshing and valuable for even seasoned chanters. Our guest is Crystal Fraser, of Colorado, who shares some basics about SGI Nichiren Buddhism and its core practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as well as her own journey with it. We then dig into a popular question: What should we chant about and why do people talk so much about turning the impossible into possible?CHEAT SHEET0:49 How Crystal encountered Buddhism and why she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo7:35 The basic philosophy and practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism13:09 What changed when Crystal started chanting27:21 Why we chant about things that feel impossible46:35 The concept of human revolution48:49 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferences: What is Human Revolution? Sign up for 10 Days to Get Unstuck