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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
Tag Archives: Dalai Llama
Bodhisattvas’ (Compassion) Practices –18
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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.
Bodhisattvas’ (Compassion) Practices –17
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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.
Common Sparrow flies as high as he dares
(Part IV in Totem Series, cont’d from ‘Common’ Ground )
To become as “Common” as an Ordinary Sparrow, does not sound like much of an aspiration.
Joy Found in Everyday ‘Common’ Ground
Part III in totem series (Hawk, tiger & sparrow)
There’s nothing quite as common as a cracker, one of those Saltines, that is . . .
Bodhisattvas’ (Compassion) Practices –16
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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.
Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 15
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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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Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 14
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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.
Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 13
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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.
Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 12
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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.
Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 11
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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.
Meditation time is right in this moment
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.
Blog Post Mistakenly Published Twice in a Row!
Meditation time is right in this moment
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.
Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 10
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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.
A ‘Post A Day’ Brings You Peace ‘All’ Day
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.
Mary deserves Philly Buddha buddy visits
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.
Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 5
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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.
Bodhisattva (Compassion) Practices – 2
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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.
Thirty-seven steps may stop all suffering
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 Wins in Showdown with the Buddha
God won in the religious showdown I created between Him and the Buddha.
He rose to the top. Well, actually . . . He “remained” at the top, having never been “toppled,” so to speak. Continue reading
Heeding the Beck & Call of “Great Mother”
I struck the “mother lode” while mining the other day and discovered a treasure worth more than its weight in gold. It’s a few words, captured who knows how many years ago, and kept hostage until their rescue by good-will seekers throughout the world.
Can’t A Guy Get A Break Around Here?
What am I doing with this wet rag in my hand? The woman at the meeting hall gave it to me, told me to “wipe down” some wooden box up on a stage with others cleaning and organizing for this Buddhist “event.”
My ‘Right Speech’ May Have Wronged You
You did it again, Michael.
Hereafter or not, why risk taking a chance?
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.
Macho man marvels at mistaken miss
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.
Flowers still Brighten Up my New ‘Home’
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. There, on a counter with cups and a large “coffee” pot with hot water for my tea-toddling friend, were a bunch of flowers that greeted everyone and spiced up a small corner of the room at the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia.
Gratitude Given Freely Can Grow on You
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.”
That’s a message I got from a fellow named Bill Stauffer who addressed a group of like-minded people who were seeking some spiritual insights this morning. Continue reading
Contoveros 