Teachings of the Buddha

The Buddha taught that the Dhamma is like a mirror.  Just as we check our reflection in the mirror prior to meeting with other people, we can use the Dhamma to check ourselves for imperfections and shortcomings.  The Dhamma should be used for self-reflection.

 

“The Tathagatha ( the blessed one ) acts as he speaks, and speaks as he acts. And we can find no teacher who does likewise, in every detail of doctrine, either in the past or in the present, other than the Tathagatha.”

 

“ඒ භාග්‍යවතුන් වහන්සේ යම්සේ කියන සේක්ද එසේම කරන සේක. යම්සේ කරන සේක්ද එසේම කියන සේක.මෙසේ ධර්මානුධර්ම ප්‍රතිපත්තියෙන් යුක්ත වූ මේ අංගයෙන් සමන්විත වූ ඒ භාග්‍යවතුන් වහන්සේ හැර වෙන කෙනෙකු අතීත කාලයෙහිද මේ වර්තමානයෙහිද නොම දක්නෙමු.”

What is Buddhism?

Buddhism was founded by Prince Siddhartha Gautama in India in the sixth century B.C.E. Buddhists believe that human life exists in a cycle of suffering and rebirth (Samsāra), but that it is possible to escape this cycle forever by achieving a state of enlightenment (Nibbāna). Prince Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was the first human being to reach this state of enlightenment.

What is the Dhamma?

Dhamma are the teachings of the Buddha. Dhamma includes beautiful and profound teachings such as dependent origination (Paticca Samuppada), the five aggregates ( Panca Skanda), the six faculties (Salayatana) and the action that destroys actions (Kammakkhaya kamma ). Dhamma is a raft to cross the ocean of Samasara or the cycle of birth and death. Dhamma is not limited to a particular group of people, race, religion, or country. Any wise person who commits can rid themselves of worldling (sansaric) suffering by practicing the Buddhist Dhamma.

Characteristics of Nibbana

“Where consciousness is signless, boundless, all-luminous, That is where earth, water, fire and air find no footing, There both long and short, small and great, fair and foul, There Name and Form are wholly destroyed. With the cessation of consciousness this is all destroyed.”

~Kevadda Sutta ~

What are the Seven Enlightenment Factors?

Our journey is filled with dark and destructive forces, but the seven enlightenment factors bring a great light to dispel the darkness. By developing these seven enlightenment factors, the light we will bring gives us clarity that leads us to Nibbāna. The seven enlightenment factors help us to cross the river, breaking the cycle of Samsāra to attain enlightenment.

These seven factors include the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, the enlightenment factor of investigation of Dhamma, the enlightenment factor of energy, the enlightenment factor of rapture, the enlightenment factor of tranquility, the enlightenment factor of concentration, and the enlightenment factor of equanimity.

What is the mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a practice that brings true happiness to humans. When our mind dwells on the past and or projects into the future, many types of mental sufferings may occur, such as anxiety, stress, panic attacks, and depression. Living with mental sufferings is not freedom nor is it the best way of taking advantage of this beautiful opportunity called life. Mindfulness means living in the present moment seeing each presently arisen state. Mindfulness is an umbrella that protects the mind from all the defilements that rain upon us during our daily lives. A mindful life is filled with inner happiness. Every human wants a peaceful and a happy life and the open secret is to practice the beauty of mindfulness.

"Know Yourself-Know Others"

Know your own mind and body, and you will know others’ as well. One’s facial expressions, speech, gestures, actions, all stem from one’s state of mind. A Buddha, an enlightened being, can read these because he has experienced and seen with wisdom the states of mind that underlie them, just as wise older people, having passed through childhood, can understand the ways of children.

-Achaan Chah-

What is the Noble Eightfold Path?

The Noble Eightfold Path is also known as the Middle Path, which one must practice to keep on the path to Nibbāna. This is a way of life between the two extremes of asceticism and great wealth. “And what, friends, is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering? It is just this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view (sammā diti), right intention (sammā sarikappa), right speech (sammā vāchā), right action (sāmma kammantha), right livelihood (sāmma ajiva), right effort (sāmma vāyāma), right mindfulness (sāmma sati), and right concentration (sāmma sammādhi).”

–141 Saccavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Truths, Middle Length Discourses

What is the loving kindness (Metta)?

Why should we practice loving kindness? The answer is simple, because loving kindness is a beautiful state of mind. By practicing loving kindness thoughts of anger and hatred vanish. We practice loving kindness not only for our beloved ones, but for all living beings and we do it without bounds.

Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, meek or mighty, short, medium, short, tall, seen and the unseen, those living near and far, born and yet to be born, may all beings be at ease. Let none deceive another or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects her child with her life, her only child, so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings. Radiate kindness over the entire world and let it spread upwards to the skies and downwards to the depths, outwards and unbounded, free from hatred and ill-will.

(Metta Sutta, Sutta Nipata)

Karma is not something that should be paid and finished. It is something
with the support of Dhamma.

Buddha's everyday advice to his son, Venerable Rahula

* When a talk on faith is being given, a person devoid of faith loses his temper and becomes irritated, hostile and stubborn; he displays anger, hatred and bitterness.

* When a talk on virtuous behavior is being given, an immoral person loses his temper and becomes irritated, hostile and stubborn; he displays anger, hatred and bitterness.

* When a talk on learning is being given, a person of little learning loses his temper and becomes irritated, hostile and stubborn; he displays anger, hatred and bitterness.

* When a talk on generosity is being given, miser loses his temper and becomes irritated, hostile and stubborn; he displays anger, hatred and bitterness.

* When a talk on wisdom is being given, an unwise person loses his temper and becomes irritated, hostile and stubborn; he displays anger, hatred and bitterness.

(The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, The book of Five, Wrongly addressed talk)

* Give up five-fold sensual pleasures – so sweet, so charming. Going forth from home, with faith, be one who has put an end to suffering.

* Seek a remote lodging, secluded and noiseless. Be moderate in food.

* Have no attachment to robes, alms, requisites and lodging. Come not to this world again.

* Practice restraint with regard to the fundamental code and the five senses.

* Cultivate mindfulness as regards the body and be full of dispassionate.

* Avoid alluring, lust provoking objects of sense.

* Develop your one pointed, composed mind towards loathsomeness. Think not of the outward appearance of sense. Give up latent pride. Thus eradicating pride, you shall fare on in perfect peace.

(The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, The book of Five, Wrongly addressed talk)

For Effective Communication skills

Mindful Walking

Technique to practice walking meditation:
STEP 1:

  • Begin with your left leg. Mentally state “left…right…” when you place your feet on the ground for the duration of your walking meditation time (20 minutes-1 hour daily is recommended)
  • Keep a leisurely pace, neither too fast nor too slow
  • Keep your eyes on the ground 4-5 feet in front of you
  • When thoughts arise while you walk, stop walking and stand still. Watch the thought until it disappears. Then resume walking.
  • When you reach the turning point, stand still, close your eyes and bring your attention to your standing posture for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to stand with feet hip-width apart to keep your balance. Open your eyes while you turn and mentally label “turning…turning…turning”
  • Continue this technique daily for 2 weeks to 1 month

STEP 2:

  • After 2 weeks to 1 month of practicing Step 1, start here
  • With Step 2, start to walk more slowly (20 minutes-1 hour daily is recommended)
  • When you start to walk and raise the leg, you label it as “raising”, and as you do so, pay attention to the movement of the raising and placing it down.
  • Mentally label “raising, placing, raising, placing…” to coincide with the movement of your legs
  • Continue this technique daily for approximately 2 weeks

STEP 3:

  • After 2 weeks to 1 month of practicing Step 2, start here
  • With Step 3, your walking pace should be even slower (20 minutes-1 hour daily is recommended)
  • First, note the intention of raising your foot.
  • Then when you start to walk, while slowly raising the foot, pay attention to the movement of the raising.
  • Next, note the intention of moving the food forward.
  • Then while slowly moving the foot forward, pay attention to the movement of the forward motion.
  • Now, note the intention of the placing the foot down.
  • Finally, while slowly placing the foot down, pay attention to the movement of the placing.

(Note that you may miss some steps, but do not worry – continue your effort to be mindful of each intention and movement.)

STEP 4:

  • After 2 weeks to 1 month of practicing Step 3, start here
  • With Step 4, your walking pace should be the slowest (20 minutes-1 hour daily is recommended)
  • Drop your labeling when you move your legs, try to see the details of the fine movements
  • Pay attention to the smallest details of raising and lowering our foot (heel first, then toes, then big toe, then lift, bent knee, balanced on one leg, foot placed back down, big toe, all toes, heel)
  • Watch as closely as possible to each minor detail of every small movement

MINDFUL WALKING: When walking at your usual pace, interchangeably you can focus on the top half of your body, the movements of your legs, or your body as a whole.

(Note that whenever you recognize your mind is talking, stop it, and bring your attention back to your body.

WALKING MEDITATION:

Practicing walking meditation is a great way to gain immediate results in leading a mindful life. Many of us walk for good health, but walking meditation has the purpose of building mindfulness.  First, you must learn and practice the proper technique with diligence. The mindfulness and concentration gained from walking meditation will compliment your sitting meditation practice. It will also support living a mindful daily life.

If you already walk for your physical health, you can incorporate the walking meditation technique into this time. Many of us are lacking awareness and knowledge about this important exercise and its benefits, including:

  • Increased physical and mental endurance
  • Compliments Vipassana, there is always balance in the Dhamma
  • Balances the body, making all of its functions healthier and more orderly
  • Samadhi gained from walking meditation, once established, is more enduring than other forms of practice
  • Helps maintain a proper metabolism, healthful weight loss, and better digestion

Here, Buddha emphasizes the importance of practicing mindfulness through both walking and sitting: “…While walking back and forth and sitting, purify your mind of obstructive states.” -Middle Length Discourses, Ganakamoggallana Sutta

Some difficulties that can arise while practicing walking meditation:

  • Keeping the eyes open is necessary, but can cause distraction.
  • Our mental labeling of “right” and “left” feet being placed down may not match our movements
  • Our natural habit is to lift our head and look around, rather than watching the ground
  • Past memories and future anticipations may arise and pull our attention
  • We habitually follow sounds that occur in our environment

To prepare for walking meditation:

  • Find the best relaxing time
  • Find a walking path that is flat and 50-100 feet long, and mark the turnaround points
  • Grass, sand, and wood are suitable surfaces
  • Walking with bare feet is best, if possible
  • Hold one hand around the alternate wrist, in either the front or back of your body
  • Before you begin walking on your designated path, close your eyes and focus on your standing posture for 1-2 minutes. Keep your feet hip-width apart to maintain balance.

Relax, Renew,
with Meditation