Buddhist thought for the Day

[songbird]

It is important to recognize the power of our emotions--and to take responsibility for them by creating a light and positive atmosphere around ourselves. This attitude of joy that we create helps alleviate states of hopelessness, loneliness, and despair. Our relationships with others thus naturally improve, and little by little the whole of society becomes more positive and balanced. -

Tarthang Tulku...

[songbird]

The fundamental philosophical principle of Buddhism is that all our suffering comes about as a result of an undisciplined mind, and this untamed mind itself comes about because of ignorance and negative emotions. For the Buddhist practitioner then, regardless of whether he or she follows the approach of the Fundamental Vehicle, Mahayana or Vajrayana, negative emotions are always the true enemy, a factor that has to be overcome and eliminated.

And it is only by applying methods for training the mind that these negative emotions can be dispelled and eliminated. This is why in Buddhist writings and teachings we find such an extensive explanation of the mind and its different processes and functions. Since these negative emotions are states of mind, the method or technique for overcoming them must be developed from within. There is no alternative. They cannot be removed by some external technique, like a surgical operation.


from 'Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection'

[Lori Anne]

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth -- not going all the way, and not starting.

Buddha

[Lori Anne]

Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 per cent Of everything you think, And of everything you do, Is for yourself - And there isn't one. - Ask the Awakened by Wei Wu Wei...

[Lori Anne]

Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines,
but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.

 - Buddha

[songbird]

The teaching of Junen Nembutsu appears in the Eighteenth Vow of Amida Buddha in Sutra of Immeasurable Life (Muryoju-kyo). It states that every person who recites the Nembutsu ten times shall be saved. "Namu Amida Butsu" is recited eight times in one breath without voicing "tsu," a breath is taken and the full "Namu Amida Butsu" is recited once making nine times. The final (tenth) Nembutsu is chanted with the "tsu" almost silent again, as if one has swallowed the word.

~

Honen Shonin taught people that it was enough to simply recite Nembutsu. He firmly believed that true Buddhism should be able to be practiced easily anywhere and at any time.

[songbird]

Wise men don't judge: they seek to understand.

 Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon by Wei Wu Wei...

[Rasputin]

I agree that negative emotions hold us back and that we need to exercize control over our minds.  Yet we can never have complete control, else we would be perfect and would require no further growth.  I don't have complete control over my mind.  I don't even come close to having complete control.  That is my goal, though.  I suppose this is part of the journey, admitting that you don't have control and seeking to set realistic steps of what you can acheive over time. 

[songbird]

Good points,  Rasputin.  Thank you for stopping by and sharing with us.

[FunkyPlasma]

Rasputin wrote: I agree that negative emotions hold us back and that we need to exercize control over our minds.  Yet we can never have complete control, else we would be perfect and would require no further growth.  I don't have complete control over my mind.  I don't even come close to having complete control.  That is my goal, though.  I suppose this is part of the journey, admitting that you don't have control and seeking to set realistic steps of what you can acheive over time.

Yes.  Thank-u for sharing


Love,

Michaelwoof:)

[Rasputin]

I appreciate your welcomes.  Especially since basically what I did was admit my own imperfections in trying to live up to these principles.

It's also easy to seek control in your environment when you lack control of your own mind.  When things around you seem like they are not good enough - even if you are right - if we can't learn to adapt to our surroundings and accept what we cannot change, or at least accept that we cannot change it in that moment, and be willing to let it go and not allow it to interfere with our own happiness...then we simply will not be happy.

The desire to change what we cannot is a form of clinging.

The only reason I know these things is because I have yet to successfully implement them.

[songbird]

I appreciate your welcomes.  Especially since basically what I did was admit my own imperfections in trying to live up to these principles.

It's also easy to seek control in your environment when you lack control of your own mind.  When things around you seem like they are not good enough - even if you are right - if we can't learn to adapt to our surroundings and accept what we cannot change, or at least accept that we cannot change it in that moment, and be willing to let it go and not allow it to interfere with our own happiness...then we simply will not be happy.

The desire to change what we cannot is a form of clinging.

The only reason I know these things is because I have yet to successfully implement them.

Like the Serenity prayer,  -- The strength to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Rasputin I admire your honesty with your self and your courage to share this with others,  Well done.  It's a pleasure to have you with us.

[Rasputin]

Thanks, but I really don't think my honesty is something to be admired.  I guess it is positive in that it is necessary for improvement rather than merely putting up a pretense of perfection.  The truth is, though, I am not a humble person.  I am beginning to realise, though, that I need to be, else I will drive myself crazy in pursuit of perfection. 

[songbird]

A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden.

The Buddha...

[songbird]

When you reach the highest form of samadhi, you realize there are hundreds more beyond that.

- Patanjali, 400 B.C