34
Because harsh words disturb others’ minds and cause the Bodhisattva’s conduct to deteriorate, abandoning harsh speech which is unpleasant to others is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
How many car “beeps‘ does it take to warn someone of possible danger?
I slept in today. It was the third day in a row that my son was off school because of the great snowstorm of the Winter of 2010. How many of us can recall a time in our lives that school closed for three straight days due to snow?
33
Because the influence of gain and respect causes quarreling and the decline of the activities of listening, pondering and meditation, to abandon attachment to the households of friends, relations and benefactors is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Removing snow was always a small challenge. But I prided myself on getting out of the house quickly and providing a safe route for pedestrians and our family cats and different dogs over the years to scamper in the rather expansive upper yard.
Nick has completed a fourth of the shoveling that remained to be done by the time I go back outdoors. I’m refreshed following the digging out from our snowed-in house here on the u of the USA Wednesday. I now can walk the full length of the brick path.
Just have to step onto 24-inch snow drifts another 20 to 25 feet to get to the door of the chicken coop and clear away the ground where the door will swing open. Don’t want to spill any of this chicken food I prepared inside our home. Afraid if I put it down, I’ll knock it over by stepping on it or swinging the door into it.
Slowly, I “brush” aside the snow, remove the long metal part bracing the door, then unlatch it. I see very little because of the darkness inside. It’s after 6 p.m. now. We started shoveling when it was still light out but lost the light as the minutes dropped off with each shovelful of snow.
Snow was so heavy in some places, that one of “durable” plastic shovels broke right off the handle. Will use the plastic as a heavy-duty dustpan come the next several seasons. I’ll use the wooden handle as a stake.
I walk inside the shed we converted into a chicken coop. All four of the fowl huddle together on a four-foot-high cage below the electric heater. I barely make out the rooster before hearing some clucking.
My Son Will Soon Complete the Snow Removal
I can feed them and not worry about digging the rest of the pathway, I begin to think. Nick will complete the rest of the task. And, I have enough confidence in him, that I know he’ll do a good job, and not cut corners.
After finishing feeding the birds and the “Cwazy Rabbit,” Nick and I look over our handy work, the snow removal. The falling snow has covered much of what we had just exposed. An hour or two later, we’ll look out the dining room window and see two more inches have fallen, covering the pathway we just dug.
Stuck inside the house while Winter howls outside, we watched two movies together. Looked at pictures taken of Nick when he played in the worst snow storm of the century, the “Winter of ’96,” (that was the ‘Twentieth Century,’ remember 1996?) and I can’t help but feel grateful that it has taken an act of Mother Nature to bring my son and I so closer together. As family. As friends. As loved ones.
32
If influenced by disturbing emotions, one points out another’s Bodhisattva’s faults, oneself is diminished. Therefore, not speaking about the faults of those who have entered the Great Vehicle is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
31
If, having merely the appearance of a practitioner, one does not investigate one’s own mistakes, it is possible to act contrary to the Dharma. Therefore, constantly examining one’s own errors and abandoning them is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
My head slowly rises, as my breathing gets deeper and deeper, and meditation washes over me like the caress from a gentle, loving caregiver. Can’t focus on the movement. Don’t want to detract from this feeling of bliss where there’s no concerns, no worries, no thoughts.
A vehicle knocked a utility pole to the ground Tuesday morning, causing an accident that pulled down “live wires” and tied up the north side of Conshohocken, PA, the entire day.
30
If one lacks wisdom, it is impossible to atttain enlightenment through the other five perfections. Thus, cultivating skillful means that do not discriminate among the three spheres is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
29
Having understood that disturbing emotions are destroyed by insight possessed with tranquil abiding, to cultivate meditative concentration which perfectly transcends the four formless absorptions is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Who is writing to me? The Name or Tag of “Us.mc572” just doesn’t cut it. Please let me know who you really are. I’ve seen you at my site for weeks, maybe even months. You visit almost every day but have not left a “comment“ or any message to indicate what your interest might be. I have tried, but have been unable to reach you, to determine if you’re a friend or a foe.
28
Even hearers and solitary realizers, who accomplish only their own welfare, strive as if putting out a fire on their heads. Seeing this, taking up diligent effort — the source of good qualities — for the sake of all beings is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
27
To Bodhisattvas who desire the pleasures of virtue, all those who do harm are like a precious treasure. Therefore, cultivating patience devoid of hostility is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
26
If, lacking ethical conduct, one fails to achieve one’s own purpose, the wish to accomplish others’ purpose is laughable. Therefore, guarding ethics devoid of aspirations for worldly existence is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
The 11-year-old boy misses the shot on the basketball court, and the coach takes him out of the game, benching him in full view of family and friends who came to watch the group of youngsters play Thursday.
I’m hooked on steroids. And no matter what I do, my doctor won’t let me get off of them.
25
It is necessary to give away even one’s body while aspiring to enlightenment, what need is there to mention external objects? Therefore, practicing generosity without hope of reciprocation or positive karmic results is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
24
Diverse sufferings are like the death of a child in a dream. By apprehending illusory appearances as real, one becomes weary. Therefore, when encountering disagreeable circumstances, viewing them as illusory is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
I gotta stop pestering all these Indian women I meet.
I find myself wondering if they are, indeed, from India. And determining that, I try to think of some way to ask about their religion. Without seeming to pry.
A dozen eggs lay in a circle as if some god “racked” them like billiard balls and left them in the hay for us to find the day before Groundhog’s Day.
23
When encountering pleasing sense objects, though they appear beautiful like a rainbow in summertime, not to regard them as real and to abandon clinging attachments if the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
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Nick got the job.
He’ll be working as a busboy at Houlihan’s Restaurant at the Plymouth Meeting Mall outside our hometown, Conshohocken, PA, here in the USA.
22
Appearances are one’s own mind. From the beginning, mind’s nature is free from the extremes of elaboration. Knowing this, not to engage the mind in subject-object duality is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
In all good consciousness, can aomeone studying the Practice of Buddhism ever serve on a jury trial?
21
Indulging sense pleasures is like drinking salt water — however much one indulges, thirst and craving only increase. Immediately after abandoning whatever things give rise to clinging and attachment is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
20
If outer foes are destroyed while not subduing the enemy of one’s own hatred, enemies will only increase. Therefore, subduing one’s own mind with the army of love and compassion is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Where are those spectacles? I carried them with me for nearly two weeks. Kept them in my jacket pocket, the right pocket all this time. Now that I need them, they’re gone.
19
Though one may be famous and revered by many people or gain wealth like that of Vaishravana, having realized that worldly fortune is without essences, to be unconceitedly is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.  Continue reading
18
Though one may have an impoverished life, always be disparaged by others, afflicted by dangerous illness and evil spirits, to be without discouragement and to take upon oneself all the misdeeds and suffering of beings is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Patty DeMarco made me cry. He called me names and wouldn’t stop as I tried to walk away, with him following me on the North Philadelphia street we lived. On and on he went, badmouthing me, until he saw my brother, who helped me into his little red wagon, and pulled it home, me sobbing all the while behind. I was four years old.
17
Even if, influenced by pride, an equal or inferior person treats one with contempt, respectfully placing that person like a guru at the crown of one’s head is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Why am I sharing this reflection now? I saw two sparrows fly away from the undercarriage of my car the other day. I parked in a lot in a nearby store, made purchases, and was returning when I got to within feet of my car, and noticed the birds.
Two Bengal Tigers charged me and knocked me to the macadam street, as I placed my arms over my head to prevent lethal contact with my throat and face.
To become as “Common” as an Ordinary Sparrow, does not sound like much of an aspiration.
There’s nothing quite as common as a cracker, one of those Saltines, that is . . .
Three animal totems appeared to me in the past few days, and I am putting the world on notice, that I plan to pay attention to what messages might be coming my way.
16
Even if for whom one has cared as lovingly as one’s own child regards one as an enemy, to cherish that person as dearly as a mother does an ailing child is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
15
Even if, in the midst of a public gathering, someone exposes faults and speaks ill of one, humbly paying homage to and perceiving that person as a spiritual friend, is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
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Here’s a series of traits from something called the Enneagram. You can search through in attempts to find what type of personality fits you. I found some interesting things about myself. And hope to bring them up at a meeting of HSPs (Highly Sensitive Persons), one of whom suggested the sites to me.
14
Even if someone broadcasts throughout the billion worlds all sorts of offensive remarks about one, speaking in turn of that person’s qualities with a loving mind is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
13
Even if others try to cut off one’s head when one is utterly blameless, taking upon oneself all their negative deeds by the power of compassion is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
You can recapture your youth by simply recalling a time in your life when you were most athletically gifted and soared like an eagle in whatever endeavor you excelled at years earlier. Continue reading
12
Even if others, influenced by great desire, steal all one’s wealth or have it stolen, dedicating to them one’s body, possessions and virtues accumulated in the three times is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
11
All suffering without exception comes from wishing for one’s own happiness. The perfect Buddhas arise from the altruistic mind. Therefore, completely exchanging one’s own happiness for the suffering of others is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Don’t like to sound “cocky,” but when I see something a cute little chick wrote for me.
I want to climb to the top to crow how she just made this old heart to grow.
Sharing my Feelings of Love for Your Words
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WordsWeNeverSaid |
City slickers and their country cousins ought to know
How Roosters strut their stuff in front of pretty hens
In plumage preened and plumped to make a tougher show
Caring not a peck for the attention of their friends…
Keep a close eye on that banty rooster in the scratching yard,
Every city boy should learn before its way to late
Not to ever underestimate a chicken (or her mate).
*grin*
M.L.
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________
Contoveros Said:
Words We Never Said:
Can not top this in a million years.
you win, ML!
(Actually, we all win with such a poetic addition to the barnyard.) Thanks.
Michael j
For more bantam banter see Rooster racks up pain and admiration
Stop! Don’t tell me anymore. Don’t want to hear it.
Keep the news to yourself. It hurts me, it’s always bad.
Driving while stuck in a traffic jam ordinarily would not be the best place to practice mindfulness meditation. I found out today while rushing to a doctor’s appointment, it was the “only” way to travel.
Driving while stuck in a traffic jam ordinarily would not be the best place to practice mindfulness meditation. I found out today while rushing to a doctor’s appointment, it was the “only” way to travel.
10
When mothers who have been kind to one since beginningless time are suffering, what’s the use of one’s own happiness? Therefore, generating the mind of enlightenment in order to liberate limitless sentient beings is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Ever have one of those “yucky” moments? Like, when you put your hand in a box, feeling around for some specific item only to come upon something gooey, wet and, of course “yucky.”
I have never been good at waiting, and when I have something unpleasant to do — like undergo an operation in the hospital — I prefer to get it over with. Quickly. And not have to count the minutes that seem to pass by so excruciatingly slow.
I felt the governor had called in a reprieve at the 11th hour, minutes before my scheduled “execution” was to take place Monday.
9
The pleasure of the three realms is as fleeting as a dew drop on the tip of a blade of grass, vanishing in a single moment. Striving for the Supreme State of never-changing liberation is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Why is it that when someone tells you about recalling a “past life” it’s always one of glamour where you had lots of power to change things in the world?
When I started posting these ‘Thirty-Seven Bodhisattva Practices’, I never thought the mere act of compiling them could bring so much meaning to my life. Kinda feel like one of those bald-headed monks living in a cloistered society copying ancient words of wisdom so that others could learn to live life better.
8
The Subduer said that all the unbearable suffering of the three lower realms is the fruition of wrongdoing. Therefore, never committing negative deeds, even at peril to one’s life, is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
I prayed I wouldn’t show any fear, but I did. I couldn’t help it. I pulled my head away from the laser burning into my eye like a mare pulling away from a wrangler trying to break in a unridden horse.
7
What worldly gods, themselves also bound in the prison of cyclic existence, are able to protect others? Therefore, when refuge is sought, taking refuge in the undeceiving Triple Gem is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Dark red scars are forming on my left hand and forearm where the thrust of the attack struck me. If left too long, I believe the cuts would fester and get worse. They’re the type that could cause that ugly yellow crust-like “deformity” to surround and create a horrific open wound.
WARNING: Handle this detached retina eye patient with more care than he handles himself. A Bubble in his eye could explode. Now wear this bracelet until we say otherwise. (And stay off airplanes, for Heaven’s sake!)
A green wrist band announces to a Good Samaritan that, should I fall ill or be rescued from some accident, that I have a “Bubble” in my eye.
6
When sublime spiritual friends are replied upon, one’s faults are exhausted and one’s qualities increase like the waxing moon. Holding sublime spiritual friends even more dear than one’s own body is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
Hello Mary?
You should get a medal for spending five hours at a conference call with a bunch of Buddhists “partying” three-time zones away from you last year, as you culminated your three-month studies of the Eastern philosophy.
Lots of Fun in Finding Refuge in Buddhism
They were “celebrating” in finding refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, while you stayed “in touch” the whole time from Reno, Nevada, secure in a closed office room to stay focused by phone.
I had a hard time staying “focused“ for one hour at the conference call Wednesday with others from across the United States, as well as Canada, and I hate to think what it would be like to put in five hours mostly “listening” as others exchange insight on Buddhism. Most from the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia.
You remember me? The guy that just got out of the VA (Veterans Administration) Hospital for treatment on a detached retina. I raced like a bat out of hell, driving with one eye patched and a mix of dilated drops in the other, to get from West Philadelphia in the USA to Conshohocken, PA, some 20 miles away. Didn’t want to miss my first-time “call-in” about meditation.
Can Still Travel Despite my LASER Surgery
Still felt a little woozy from LASER surgery on the eye and probably sounded a little off centered. But I like what you said, and was wondering if, someday, you would want the Philadelphia Group to come to you? I mean, fly out to Nevada for a day or even a two day-long event. Maybe meet up in Las Vegas, if we could get a good deal from the town. What’s that? Too many temptations even for a hard-core Buddhist initiate?
We’d follow the “Middle Path” and stay out of the Casinos. Tell management at one of the gambling hotels we were having a “Buhhdi” convention — that’s using the long-sounding “ee” –pronounced “Booty,” and they’d put out a red carpet thinking a bunch of girls would be showing up to “shake” up some things. Won’t tell them we coined the new word “Buddhi” for the plural of Buddha, until after getting discounts for the rooms.
Does it sound good to you? Well, let’s meditate on it, and “chant” an offering of “acceptance” at the next phone conference. Don’t want to gamble away an enlightened idea as good as this one.
5
When evil companions are associated with, the three poisons increase, the activities of listening, pondering and meditation decline, and love and compassion are extinguished. Abandoning evil companions is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
4
Long-Associated companions will part from each other. Wealth and possessions obtained without effort will be left behind. Consciousness, the guest, will cast aside the guest house of the body. Letting go of this life is the Bodhisattva practice.
Psychedelic green bursts of light pulse across my eye. It’s like a strobe light flashing over and over, as I “see” a colorful cascade of a lime green pigment appear before me as if it’s penetrating the eyeball itself.
3
When harmful places are abandoned, disturbing emotions gradually diminish. Without distractions, virtuous endeavors naturally increase. Being clear-minded, definite understanding of the Dharma arises. Resorting to secluded places is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
2
The mind of attachment waivers like water. The mind of hatred for enemies burns like fire. The mind of ignorance which forgets what to adopt and what to discard is greatly obscured. Abandoning one’s homeland is the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
1
At this time when the difficult-to-gain ship of leisure and fortune has been obtained, ceaselessly hearing, pondering and meditating day and night in order to liberate oneself and others from the ocean of cyclic existence to the Bodhisattvas’ practice.
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You want truth in advertising? Well, this headline ain’t what you’re looking for. There’s simply no magic that will transform your life by taking 37 steps, or thirty-seven thousand steps, for that matter.
God won in the religious showdown I created between Him and the Buddha.
Pictures, statues and other works of art often capture the beauty of the soul as people seek peace and love through different spiritual paths.
Never liked the term, “idol worshipper.” Reminded me of Moses and the “Chosen People” creating that golden calf in the Old Testament.
I face “High Noon” this Sunday. And nobody from town will help me deal with whether I’ll live or die in the outcome. None can, because the confrontation is something I knew for some time that I would have to face alone.
1917 – “Through a Glass Darkly” Continue reading
I’ve been shooting the bull the past several weeks with JhanaJian, of whom I thought was this “Asian guy” from Vietnam. Turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong about everything I thought I knew about JhanaJian.
A spectacular combination of yellow and purple graced my eyes as I traveled yesterday to America’s first home, the City of Brotherly Love, in Philadelphia.
Want to feel good? Pick out five things each day to show your gratitude. Write ’em down. But, don’t try to fake it. You really gotta look for some thing in your life, some person, some reason that, deep down inside, you can say “makes me grateful.”
Here I am, walking on the high wire. No net below. My big mouth got me up here, and here I’ll stay for 30 days.
Saw an Asian woman handling the checkout at a nearby Target store and joked with her about a gift I was getting for my son’s birthday three months from today. It was a holiday box with no writing on it, nothing to suggest it was from Xmas.
Don’t like this “hearing voices” phenomenon. I am uncomfortable with it. Instead of “voices” maybe it’s more like “spirits.” Yeah, that sounds less strange. A little “spirit” spoke to him. His “spirits” are high today.
Am I hearing voices? Am I becoming a person you gotta be a little worried about? Kept an eye on? You know, one of “those” people?
I looked Death in the Face and did not blink yesterday.
