The Five Reflections: the Adult Facts of Life Sacramento Insight Meditation January 9, 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

The Five Reflections: The Adult Facts of Life Sacramento Insight Meditation January 9, 2020 Five subjects for frequent contemplation "There are these five facts that one should reflect on often, whether one is a woman or a man, lay or ordained. Which five? ‘I am subject to aging, have not gone beyond aging.' This is the first fact that one should reflect on often, …. 'I am subject to illness, have not gone beyond illness.' ... 'I am subject to death, have not gone beyond death.' ... 'I will grow different, separate from all that is dear and appealing to me.' ... 'I am the owner of my actions,[1] heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and have my actions as my arbitrator. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.' ... These are the five facts that one should reflect on often, whether one is a woman or a man, lay or ordained.” "Upajjhatthana Sutta: Subjects for Contemplation" (AN 5.57), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an05/an05.057.than.html Five Daily Recollections I am of the nature to grow old; I cannot avoid aging. I am of the nature to become ill or injured; I cannot avoid illness or injury. I am of the nature to die; I cannot avoid death. All that is mine, dear and delightful, will change and vanish. I am the owner of my actions; I am born of my actions; I am related to my actions; I am supported by my actions; Any thoughts, words or deeds I do, good or evil, those I will inherit. InsightMeditationCenter.org, Dharma Lists, Gil Fronsdal Five Reflections I am of the nature to age, I have not gone beyond aging. I am of the nature to sicken, I have not gone beyond sickness. I am of the nature to die, I have not gone beyond dying. All that I hold to be mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise; it will become separated from me. I have not gone beyond impermanence. I am the owner of my actions and the heir to my actions. My happiness or unhappiness depends on my actions, not on my wishes for myself. I have not gone beyond karma. Sacramento Insight Meditation Rich Howard, Community Teacher, [email protected] .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Subhuti: Initiation in Ein Neues Leben
INITIATION IN EIN NEUES LEBEN: Die Ordinationszeremonie in Sangharakshitas System der spirituellen Übung von Dharmachari Subhuti Eine Botschaft von Urgyen Sangharakshita an alle Angehörigen des Buddhistischen Ordens Triratna Ich freue mich sehr, euch erneut in einen Artikel einzuführen, den Subhuti auf der Grundlage von Gesprächen mit mir geschrieben hat. Jeder Artikel dieser Serie hat es mir ermöglicht, euch allen mein heutiges Denken zu einem wichtigen Thema mitzuteilen, das meines Erachtens große Tragweite für die Zukunft der Buddhistischen Gemeinschaft Triratna und daher auch des Buddhismus in der modernen Welt hat. Auch in diesem Artikel stellt Subhuti meine Auffassung über unsere Ordinationszeremonie sehr gewissenhaft dar. Ganz besonders schätze ich die Art, wie er den inneren Zusammenhang meiner Lehre mitsamt der Schlüsselstellung, die der Ordination darin zukommt, verdeutlicht. Das alles hängt miteinander zusammen, wenn man auch nicht immer alle Verbindungen leicht zu erkennen vermag. Ich bitte alle Ordensmitglieder, diesen Artikel sehr gründlich zu studieren. Ganz besonders bitte ich die privaten Präzeptorinnen und Präzeptoren1, eng mit den öffentlichen zusammenzuarbeiten, um ihn in Kraft zu setzen. Das verlangt von ihnen allen viel Arbeit: erstens, um sicherzustellen, dass sie wirklich verstehen, was hier dargelegt wird; weiter, um sorgfältig zu erwägen, wie sie es auf ihre eigenen Schülerinnen und Schüler anwenden; und schließlich, um es umfassend zu praktizieren. Genau genommen bedeutet das ein Umlernen, so wie Subhuti es ausdrückt, und ich bitte euch alle, dies sehr ernst zu nehmen. Wie dieses Papier zeigt, ist Ordination der springende Punkt unseres ganzen Systems des spirituellen Lebens und Übens. Vom Moment ihrer ersten Begegnung mit unserer Bewegung an sollten die Menschen einen umfassenden und ausgewogenen Ansatz entdecken können, der ihnen gemäß ist und sie in angemessener Zeit dazu führen wird, in den Orden einzutreten.
[Show full text]
Allan Cooper
A HOUSEHOLDER’S VINAYA With Home and Saṅgha Retreat Guides namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa Homage to the Blessed One, the Perfected One, the Fully Self-Enlightened One Allan Cooper Kusinara Press Silver City, New Mexico Copyright © 2020 by Allan Cooper Kusinara Press 510 Broken Arrow Dr. Silver City, NM, 88061 USA www.householdersvinaya.com • [email protected] Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Cooper, Allan Lee, author. Title: A householder’s vinaya with home and saṅgha retreat guides / by Allan Cooper. Description: “namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa Homage to the Blessed One, the Perfected One, the Fully Self-Enlightened One”--from title page. | Silver City, NM: Kusinara Press, 2020. Identifiers: ISBN: 978-0-578-67289-2 Subjects: LCSH Theravāda Buddhism. | Vipaśyanā (Buddhism) | Meditation--Buddhism. | Spiritual life--Buddhism. | Spiritual retreats. | BISAC RELIGION / Buddhism / Rituals & Practice. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Meditation. | RELIGION / Buddhism / Theravada. Classification: LCC BQ4262 .C66 2020 | DDC 294.3/422--dc23 ISBN (paperback): 978-0-578-67289-2 ISBN (ebook): 978-0-578-67445-2 For Free Distribution: You may copy, reformat, reprint, republish, and redistribute this work in any medium whatsoever without the author’s permission, provided that: (1) Such copies, etc. are made available free of any charge. (2) Any translations of this work state that they are derived therefrom. (3) Any derivations of this work state that they are derived and differ therefrom. (4) You include the full text of this license in any copies, translations or derivations of this work. Otherwise, all rights reserved. Edited by Ruby Grad Cover and interior design and layout by Ann Lowe Rouse yourself! Sit up! Resolutely train yourself to attain peace.
[Show full text]
Psychotherapy by Karma Transformation Maurits G.T. Kwee1
Psychotherapy By Karma Transformation Maurits G.T. Kwee1 Prelude There are plenty misunderstandings about karma whose conceptualization in non- Buddhist quarters carries the flavor of fate or destiny due to the working mechanism of cause- and-effect. This usually boils down to: “good deeds lead to heaven, an after-life paradise, and bad deeds lead to hell in the beyond”. The Buddha allocated from his awakening point-of- view a specific this-worldly/here-now meaning of karma, a term borrowed from Brahmanism, as intentional action that is subject to choice. Furthermore, from a Buddhist psychological perspective heaven and hell are metaphors for joy and anger, while good and evil only exist as non-foundational qualities which are basically empty. This essay draws on the tenet that the Buddha was an “analyst”/vibhajjavadin (Subha Sutta)2 and that his transforming dialogues were meant to change intention/kamma, motivation/hetu, and performance/kiriya. In order to contribute to the daily psychological “rebirths” of wholesome emotional episodes, the Buddha’s tactics of transforming kamma can be summarized in a centerpiece called Karma Sequence, which is a combination of the modalities/khandhas and the 3-Poisons: (1) awareness of sensory perception (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting, and viewing through the mind’s eye) which are felt relatively positive, negative, or neutral, (2) awareness of dys/functional cognitions due to ignorance on how the mind works which usually fabricates projections of illusory selves and delusional gods,
[Show full text]
Anguttara Nikaya Raccolta Dei Discorsi [Il Cui Numero È] in Progressione
Anguttara Nikaya Raccolta dei discorsi [il cui numero è] in progressione ANGUTTARA NIKAYA Raccolta dei discorsi [il cui numero è] in progressione (sutta scelti) L’Anguttara Nikaya conta almeno 2308 discorsi raggruppati in 11 sezioni [nipata], chiamate rispettivamente “libro degli uno (ekanipata)”, “libro dei due (dukanipata)” fino al “libro degli un- dici (ekadasanipata)”. A prima vista, questo modello di classificazione può sembrare abbastanza pedante, ma si dimostra in effetti spesso molto utile. I nipata sono divisi in vagga, ciascuno dei quali contiene di rego- la dieci sutta. Ogni sezione contiene sutta che trattano argomenti connessi in qualche modo con il numero della sezione corrispon- dente. E’ stato sostenuto che questo testo sia stato composto probabil- mente durante il regno di Menandro, nel II sec. a.C. E’ degno di nota che importanti argomenti dell’insegnamento sono poco menzionati, come ad esempio le Quattro Nobili Verità e la coproduzione condizionata [paticcasamuppada]. 1 Anguttara Nikaya Raccolta dei discorsi [il cui numero è] in progressione 2 Anguttara Nikaya Raccolta dei discorsi [il cui numero è] in progressione Traduzione in Inglese dalla versione Pali di Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Copyright © 1997 Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight edition © 1997 Traduzione in Inglese dalla versione Pâli di F.L. Woodward Source: The Book of the Gradual sayings,Vol. I Lancaster, Pali Text Society Traduzione a cura di Enzo Alfano. Copyright © 2017 canonepali.net Testo distribuito con Licenza CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IT 3 Anguttara Nikaya Raccolta
[Show full text]
Sangharakshita in Seminar
sangharakshita digital classics: in seminar cultivating the heart of patience: lessons from the bodhicaryavatara preface This seminar took place in 2008 from the 7th-13th of June, on the third reunion retreat of the men ordained at Guhyaloka1 in 2005. Thanks to the friendship between Bhante and Nityabandhu (who is now running a Buddhist Centre in Krakow) we were privileged to have Bhante Sangharakshita come and stay with us for the entire week’s retreat at Padmaloka.2 We asked if he'd do some study with us and he elected to take on the sixth chapter of Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara, on the Perfection of Forbearance (Kshanti). Dharmachari Vidyakaya, 2013 * editor’s note As in any seminar, the conversations transcribed here were often off- the-cuff, with quotations and references made mostly from memory. We’ve tried to make sure that any factual inaccuracies which may have arisen as a result are contextualised and, if possible, corrected. Footnote references for web-linked Wikipedia terms are generally derived from the corresponding Wikipedia entry. * 1 Guhyaloka (‘The Secret Realm’) is a retreat centre in Spain specializing in men’s long ordination retreats. 2 Padmaloka (‘The Realm of the Lotus’) is a Buddhist retreat centre for men in Norfolk, England. Attending with Sangharakshita were: Abhayanaga, Amalavajra, Balajit, Dharmamodana, Dhira, Dhiraka, Dhivan, Gambhiradaka, Jayagupta, Jayarava, Jayasiddhi, Jinapalita, Khemajala, Naganataka, Nityabandhu, Priyadaka, Samudraghosha, and Vidyakaya. Transcribed by Amalavajra, Aniccaloka, Norfolk, April 2009. Digital edition edited and prepared by Candradasa. Proofreading by Kalyanasri and Bettye Pruitt. Translation used: Oxford University Press, trans. Crosby and Skilton, 1995.
[Show full text]
The Issue of Morality Spiritual Development in the Gymnasium
Label: HRV:C09:30 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences The Issue of Morality Spiritual Development in the Gymnasium Mary Koomson June 2009 Field Study Report/Essay C, 15 credits Religious Studies Field Studies within Religious Studies C Supervisor: Åke Tilander ABSTRACT Title: The issue of morality: spiritual development in the gymnasium. Address: University of Gävle The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences SE-801 76 GÄVLE Sweden Telephone: +46-26-64 85 00 Fax: (+46) 26 64 85 86 Website: http://www.hig.se Author: Mary Koomson. [email protected] Date: 4th June, 2009. Supervisor: Åke Tilander This is minor field study conducted in Gavle, Sweden. The purpose of the field study is to find answers to questions related to morality and spirituality with the main concern of investigating the phenomena in the gymnasium. Aspects of this presentation focus on the role of religion in moral development, on whether spirituality necessarily evokes a sense of morality or they are entirely separate issues. This presentation also explains briefly what spirituality is, as well as expatiating on certain moral theories propounded by certain scholars and its relevance to the study. Since morality can sometimes be relative to persons in different places, I also did a brief comparative work by looking at the situation in Ghana and Sweden when it comes to morality. The phenomenological method was chosen in conducting this research. In line with this I interviewed two students in the gymnasium, I distributed questionnaires to twenty three other students and I interviewed a priest twice to gather some information which was resourceful in organising this study.
[Show full text]
When Blossoms Fall a Zen Guide for Death & Dying Letter from San Francisco Zen Center Central Abbess
When Blossoms Fall A Zen Guide for Death & Dying Letter from San Francisco Zen Center Central Abbess Dear members and friends of San Francisco Zen Center: This booklet is designed to help us face our own death and the deaths of our loved ones with compassion and awareness. It is also intended to help us make some important decisions with the support of Buddhist teachings and practices. Practicing with our own mortality and the mortality of our family and friends can be very difficult. Many of us put off asking questions, making decisions, leaving instructions, or creating documents in advance. As a result, when death comes, we may be unprepared, confused, and unable to decide what to do. We can convey our personal wishes out of compassion for those who will live after us, who will then be able to make clear decisions on our behalf. This booklet begins with the teachings of the Buddha and other readings that we offer as guidance. The section that follows, Buddhist Practices and Traditions Regarding Dying, Death, and Mourning, provides a framework for understanding Buddhist values and approaches to the dying process. In the Wise Preparation section, the vital information listings will help you gather necessary information in one place. It is our hope that this booklet will be a real resource to you and your family and friends. It is a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions. Yours in the dharma, CENTRAL ABBESS EIJUN Linda rutH Cutts 3 When Blossoms Fall A Zen Guide for Death & Dying Table of Contents Buddhist Perspectives 1 Spiritual Cultivation 3 The Journey into Death 5 Zen Chants for Rituals 7 Wise Preparation 12 Relevant Resources 14 Acknowledgements 17 Buddhist Perspectives Buddhist Practices and Traditions Regarding Dying, Empty handed I entered the world Death, and Mourning Barefoot I leave it.
[Show full text]
Talaputa Sutta
Table of Contents Talaputa Sutta.....................................................................................2 Tamonata Sutta ..................................................................................4 Tanha Sutta ........................................................................................6 Tapussa Sutta.....................................................................................7 The Discourse On The Ten Wholesome Ways Of Action ................15 Tevigga Suttanta...............................................................................27 Tevigga-Sutta....................................................................................34 Tevijjavacchagotta Sutta...................................................................66 Thana Sutta ......................................................................................69 The Diamond Cutter, ........................................................................73 Meghiya Sutta.................................................................................100 The Patimokkha..............................................................................105 Nissaggiya Pacittiya........................................................................110 Sekhiya ...........................................................................................126 Theragatha......................................................................................132 Theragatha......................................................................................136
[Show full text]
Phuong-Van-Ph-D-Thesis-A.Pdf
CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 4 2. TODAY SOCIETY AND ITS PROBLEMS 6 2.1 Consumerism 7 2.2 Slaves on the Money 9 2.3 Drug Addiction 10 2.4 Violence and Media 12 2.5 Increased Terrorism 14 3. A VISION OF HUMAN EXISTENCE FROM BUDDHIST PERSPECTIVE 19 3.1 Samsaric Cycle - Human existence 19 3.2 Karma and the ‗Wheel of Life‘ 28 3.3 Nirvana as Liberation 37 3.4 Anattā (selflessness) - Elements of Skandhas and Dharmas 41 4. BUDDHIST VIEW ON CAUSES OF VIOLENCE, CONFLICT AND WAR, AND THE WAY OF BYPASS 52 4.1 Conflict and Violence as the Roots of Greed and Hatred 52 4.2 Violence of Negative Emotions 64 4.3 The Conflicts over Natural Resource 79 4.4 The Relationship between Living Beings and Their Environment 82 4.5 Potential War from Modern Weapons 93 5. THE BUDDHA'S FIVE MORAL PRECEPTS AS RULES OF PREVENTION FOR A NEW SOCIETY 97 5.1 The Precept to Refrain from Destroying Living Creatures (Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami) 102 Phuong Van/Applying Buddha’s teachings in Modern society 2 5.2 The Precept to Refrain from Taking That Which Is Not Given (Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami) 107 5.3 The Precept to Refrain from Sexual Misconduct (Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami) 110 5.4 The Precept to Refrain from Incorrect Speech (Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami) 117 5.5 The Precept to Refrain from Intoxicating Drinks and Drugs Which Lead to Carelessness (Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami) 124 6. THE EIGHTFOLD PATH AS A WAY OF DEVELOPMENT OF WISDOM AND ETHICS IN THE SOCIETY 132 6.1 Right View (samyak-dṛṣṭi / sammā-diṭṭhi) 134 6.2 Right Intention (samyak-saṃkalpa / sammā sankappa) 141 6.3 Right Speech (samyag-vāc / sammā-vācā) 149 6.4 Right Action (samyak-karmānta / sammā-kammanta) 154 6.5 Right Livelihood (samyag-ājīva / sammā-ājīva) 160 6.6.
[Show full text]
Buddhist Psychotherapy
The International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU) Buddhist Psychotherapy Academic Papers presented at the 2nd IABU Conference Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Main Campus Wang Noi, Ayutthaya, Thailand The International Association of Buddhist Universities 2012 IABU Editorial Committee: Ven. Dr. Khammai Dhammasami Prof. Padmasiri de Silva Prof. Sarah Shaw Dr. Dion Peoples Jamie Cresswell (2)(2) Preface Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) has been privileged to witness and play an instrumental role in developing and hosting successful UNDV and IABU celebrations, annually. As always, we are all very grateful to the Royal Thai Government for its constant support, and thank the Thai Supreme Sangha Council for its blessings, guidance and support. We are indebted, also, to the United Nations for recognizing the thrice-sacred Buddhist holy day. We had to delay the 2 nd IABU Conference, due to the extreme ﬂ ooding that shut down MCU for nearly two months. It has been 2600 years since the Enlightenment of our Great Teacher, and we have gathered here from across the globe, from many nations, to again pay tribute to his birth, enlightenment, and death – occurring on the same day in different years. The 2nd IABU Conference is running this year, due to the postponement, with the 9th United Nations Day of Vesak Conference. The IABU Secretariat now plays a major role in our celebrations, particularly in the academic program of the conference. This publication could not have been possible without the persistence, hard work, and dedication of MCU’s scholars and staff. I wish to thank all members of the International Council for The Day of Vesak and the Executive Council of the International Association of Buddhist Universities, and the other members of the Editorial Committee for their devotion.
[Show full text]
The Analystical Study of Mara Assati in Theravada Buddhism
THE ANALYSTICAL STUDY OF MARA ṆASSATI IN THERAVADA BUDDHISM By Phramaha Pisit Ma ṇiva ÿso (Maneewong) Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) International Master Degree of Arts Programme Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E.2553 (C.E.2010) THE ANALYSTICAL STUDY OF MARA ṆASSATI IN THERAVADA BUDDHISM By Phramaha Pisit Ma ṇiva ÿso (Maneewong) Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) International Master Degree of Arts Programme Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E.2553 (C.E.2010) (Copyright of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University) i The Graduate School, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, has approved this thesis as a part of education according to its curriculum of the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies. ………….………………. (Dr. Phra Srisitthimuni) Dean of Graduate School Thesis Examination Committee .. ……………………………..Chairperson (Asst. Prof. Dr. Phra Suthithammanuwat) ….... ……………………………..Member (Dr. Phra Methiratanadilok) …....……………………………..Member (Assoc. Prof. Choosak Tipkesorn) ….... ……………………………..Member (Asst. Prof. Dr. Prayoon Suyajai) ….... ……………………………..Member (Asst. Prof. Dr. Banjob Bannaruji) Thesis Supervisory Committee: Dr. Phra Methiratanadilok Chairperson Assoc. Prof. Choosak Tipkesorn Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Prayoon Suyajai Member ii Thesis Title : The Analytical Study of Maraõassati In Theravada Buddhism
[Show full text]
Meditation As a Tool for Psychotherapy
Scholarly Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences DOI: 10.32474/SJPBS.2019.02.000140 ISSN: 2641-1768 Research Article Meditation as a Tool for Psychotherapy Ven Sumedh Thero* Chief Priest & Founder Sumedh Bhoomi Buddha Vihar, Ambedkar Park, Jhansipura, Lalitpur, India *Corresponding author: Ven Sumedh Thero, Chief Priest & Founder Sumedh Bhoomi Buddha Vihar, Dr Ambedkar Park, Jhansipura, Lalitpur, India Received: May 31, 2019 Published: June 12, 2019 Introduction [d] Most classical and contemporary Buddhist meditation Buddhist meditation is the practice of meditation in Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. It includes a variety of types of meditation. Core meditation techniques have been preserved in ancient guides[e] areOnly school a few specific. teachers attempt to synthesize, crystallize and categorize practices from multiple Buddhist traditions. teacher-student transmissions. Buddhists pursue meditation as Buddhist texts and have proliferated and diversified through part of the path toward Enlightenment and Nirvana. Pre-Buddhist India [a] The closest words for meditation in the classical languages The two major traditions of meditative practice in of Buddhism are bhāvanā pre-Buddhist India were the Jain ascetic practices and the various Vedic Brahmanical practices. There is still much debate in [b] and jhāna/dhyāna. Buddhist studies regarding how much influence these two traditions [c] Buddhist meditation techniques have become had on the development of early Buddhist meditation. The early increasingly popular in the wider world, with many non- Buddhist texts mention that the Gautama trained under two teachers Buddhists taking them up for a variety of reasons. Buddhist known as Ā āra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta, both of them meditation encompasses a variety of meditation taught formless jhanas or mental absorptions, a key practice of techniques that ḷ aim to develop sati (mindfulness), samadhi(concentration), abhijñā proper Buddhist meditation [1].
[Show full text]