dharmatea

[dharmatea]

The 3 Universal Truths

Annica

Impermanence, everything changes

Dukkha

All beings suffer. In life, there’s suffering, discomfort, aversion, dissatisfaction, grief, death…

Anatta

No Self/Ego

[dharmatea]

My Lineage:

Dharma Moon:

“Teachings inspired in part by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche as well as many other Buddhist teachers and wisdom holders of traditional lineages. As well as informed by current findings from the worlds of neuroscience and therapeutic models regarding the verifiable benefits of meditation.

Not associated with the Shambhala Organization - the successor organization to the spiritual community that Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche created and led from 1970 until his death in 1987, but some of the members and instructors had been former members of Shambhala.”

Dharma Studies Program:

This coarse is the equivalent to a Master’s Degree in Buddhist studies (Dharma Teaching) (non-for-credit auditing) Secular Buddhism, Buddhist Psychology

Entering the Path,

Understanding Karma and the Six Realms,

The Bodhisattva's Path: Emptiness and Compassion,

Introduction to Tantra: Wisdom is Already Present,

Warrior In The World: The Path of Complete Engagement.

Zen Centers & Buddhist groups I’ve meditated and/or studied with:

• Taoist Tantra Meditation Group - Meditation Chapel

• Glasgow Zen Center

• Mountain Cloud Zen Center

• Upaya Zen Center

• SecularBuddhism.com (online community) -Noah Rasheta… Mahayana tradition, particularly Zen and Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism. This lineage, emphasizing personal spiritual growth and the widespread accessibility of Buddhist teachings, informs much of our course content. Noah Rasheta was guided by Koyo S. Kubose (1941-2022). His lineage extends back through notable figures such as Gyomay M. Kubose (1905-2000), Haya Akegarasu (1877-1954), and Manshi Kiyozawa (1863-1901), reaching Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), the founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, with roots stretching back to Nagarjuna and ultimately to the Buddha himself. Zen Buddhism, with its deep meditation practices and emphasis on authentic self-perception, alongside Jōdo Shinshū's focus on democratizing Buddhist teachings, significantly influence Noah Rasheta’s approach to these teachings.

• My local Zen Center

Classes I’ve Taken:

• East Asian Religion & Ecology-Yale School of the Environment

• Buddhist Studies -Center of Excellence

[dharmatea]

Dukkha In life there is suffering, discomfort, dissatisfaction, grief, and death. 

The origin of suffering Samudaya -We cause our own suffering. Attitudes towards negative things and desire that suffering shouldn’t happen. Attachment Tanha causing desire. The three roots of evil. Attachment (let go and contentment), delusion (ignorance, lack of understanding), Hatred (dislike, intolerance, desire, attachment, greed, false beliefs, ignorance)

The truth of the cessation of Suffering Nirodha. Estrangement from desire within the mind or body is the pathway towards Nirvana or the extinguishing of desire. 

The Truth of the path to the cessation of suffering Megga. The Eightfold path the principles that are the prescription for the end of suffering. The Middle Path

[dharmatea]

Character & What We Hold Ourselves To

"By cultivating inner character, people could influence events but still accord with the greater of the Tao. Thus, the inner-outer dichotomy was involved. This school of thought and practice became later known as Taoism." -The Tao of Zen by Ray Grigg.

Reflection:

How does inner character affect our outer action and decisions?

How are the principle and moral aspects of character (the things you hold yourself to) influenced by your understanding of the Buddhist Path? 

How does our understanding of morality affect the inner and outer representation of self? 

[dharmatea]

"I see you Mara. Come, Let's Have Tea" -The Buddha

Believing that something shouldn’t be happening is a type of avoidance. Avoidance of potential suffering creates suffering. Accepting that in life, there is suffering may seem very cathartic, but it helps us to practice let go of our deep aversion to suffering. So may I ask, so the difference between pain and suffering. Adversion to discomfort… I shouldn’t be going through this, I shouldn’t be dealing with this. Creates suffering. Aversion to discomfort according to a lesson I’m taking in a Buddhist studies course. 

Always grasping for what makes us comfortable. peace, feelings of joy or happiness will lead to impermanence. The temporary fixes to a deeper problem. The non-acceptance that suffering exists and is a part of life. It’s looking for a short term fix, we become self-centered and less kind to others to avoid our own suffering. 

Not striving for these wants, looking for the well-being of those around us, can be used to reduce our own suffering, we have more compassion and quit looking for quick fixes. 

In this quote, the Buddha is speaking to a demon named Mara, who is a part of the Buddha himself and is the part that's stirring up trouble on his path to enlightenment. I have heard it said that Mara can be a representation of our own emotions that we may feel an aversion to. By learning to sit with them, and have tea with them, we are able to befriend our emotions.

https://youtu.be/dHIOtjiGiy8?si=d4ZzsYs3-9vGpTw_