theravadin

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

But if you're paying close attention to this "failure" to meditate, then, of course, it isn't a failure to meditate — because paying attention to whatever is happening is mindfulness meditation.

— Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright

[theravadin]

"Every suffering is a buddha-seed, because suffering impels mortals to seek wisdom. Your body and mind are the field, wisdom the sprout, and buddhahood the grain." - Bodhidharma (5th/6th century ce)

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

karma is not simply cosmic punishment or reward, as supposed by the everyday use of the word. karma is the law of cause and effect in the moral dimension. one cannot separate cause from effect, or vice versa. and the "causer" cannot be separated from the effects they create. all things will ultimately rebound upon the causer, albeit often in ways unrelated (or seemingly so) to the initial cause.

karma is often translated as "action" in the context of the moral dimension of life. when we speak of karma it is usually in relation to this "moral dimension." all actions, words, and thoughts we create are in some capacity "intentful," and it is this intent behind the activity that creates karmic energy (in this context sometimes referred to as "merit" in Buddhism).

just as surely as cause leads to effect, and in the same way as a fire burns away impurities in metal, or as the body burns calories to stay alive, the "self" (term of convenience) burns away "merit" to clear away the impurities therein, and also to sustain itself.

a major goal of Buddhist practice is to cease the production of karmic energy, leaving nothing to purify, nothing to sustain the false sense of "self."

[theravadin]

personally, i'm not opposed to general efforts to "secularize" buddhism for a larger audience. i'm first and foremost a practical person. i think a great many people could benefit from the practices of buddhism if they approach them with sincerity, but the label of "buddhism" puts a lot of people off. i don't advocate for "capitalist buddhism," in the sense that "mindfulness" becomes something shallow that is sold to you as a cure-all. but i do think the practices of mindfulness and meditation, properly secularized and anonymized from the label "buddhism," would greatly benefit many people.

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

Everyone is asleep There is nothing to come between the moon and me.  - Seifu-jo · The voice of autumn - a lavender breeze moves through the koto strings  - Kôko Katô · First butterfly flying carefully over its shadow  - Haruko Takigi  Art: Matsubayashi Keigetsu Dịch Việt: Bạt Xứ Mọi người đều ngủ cả không có gì chen giữa vầng trăng này và ta. - Seifu-jo · Âm thanh của mùa thu - gió thơm mùi oải hương bay ngang dây đàn tranh - Kôko Katô · Con bướm đầu tiên bay thận trọng trên bóng mình - Haruko Takigi 

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

Accepting that your self isn't in control, and may in some sense not even exist, can put your self — or something like it — in control.

— Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright

[theravadin]

[theravadin]

Art: @hannabarczyk

[theravadin]

[theravadin]