Advayavada Study Plan - week 36

Friends,

In Advayavada Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is interpreted dynamically as an ongoing and autonomous, non-prescriptive, investigative and creative process of progressive insight reflecting in human terms overall existence advancing over time.

The Noble Eightfold Path in Advayavada Buddhism is fully personalized: it is firmly based on what we increasingly know about ourselves and our world, and trusting our own feelings and conscience.

By following the Noble Eightfold Path thus you get in tune with wondrous overall existence advancing over time; old mistakes are left behind; sorrow, doubt and remorse immediately start disappearing; and your life soon gathers new impetus.

Last week's subject was the Fourth Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) disposition or frame of mind, i.e. the adoption of our very best attitude to carry out our intention.

This week's subject is therefore the Fifth Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) implementation or realization of our intention.

The purpose of the ASP is that we study (and debate in the group, family circle or with good friends) the meaning and implications of the weekly subject particularly in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the group, sangha, society at large, etc.

Tip: Write down this week's subject (start carrying out plan) in your pocket diary!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm#plan>

When you grasp, you are losing your freedom (Beliefnet)

A student asked: "For all the different people who have come to listen to your words, please tell us about the way you have found and known." The Buddha answered: "When you take things it is because of a thirst, a clinging, and a grasping. You should lose that and lose it altogether, above, below, around, and within. It makes no difference what it is you are grasping. When you grasp, you are losing your freedom. Realize this and grasp at nothing. Then you will cease being a creature of attachment, tied to the powers of death." (Sutta Nipata)

Whatever's out there, it is all Amida (Bloom)

...Shinran identified Amida Buddha as the eternal Buddha, similar to how Shakyamuni is portrayed in the Lotus Sutra. That means that Amida has no beginning and no end. There's never been a time when there was not Amida Buddha. So he symbolizes reality.

When I discuss Amida Buddha with Christians, they often ask, "Is Amida a god?" and I say, "No, he is not a god, he's reality." Amida is the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, and in this sense of things draws one's mind out beyond boundaries to contemplate the infinite. Shakyamuni is from the Shakya clan, and that can be a limiting concept; Amida, though, is not just a being, not just a concept; rather, it's a mythic symbol, a window through which to contemplate reality and to see ourselves better in relationship to the whole. It's a way of focusing our understanding about reality and how it embraces us. We live within the infinite, the infinite lives within us. The totality of life, of nature, of the world and the universe - whatever's out there, it is all Amida. (Alfred Bloom, in Tricycle)

Suffering is temporary (Beliefnet)

All the faults of our mind our selfishness, ignorance, anger, attachment, guilt, and other disturbing thoughts are temporary, not permanent and everlasting. And since the cause of our suffering our disturbing thoughts and obscurations is temporary, our suffering is also temporary. (Lama Zopa Rinpoche)

Advayavada Study Plan - week 35

Friends,

In Advayavada Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is interpreted dynamically as an ongoing and autonomous, non-prescriptive, investigative and creative process of progressive insight reflecting in human terms overall existence advancing over time.

The Noble Eightfold Path in Advayavada Buddhism is fully personalized: it is firmly based on what we increasingly know about ourselves and our world, and trusting our own feelings and conscience.

By following the Noble Eightfold Path thus you get in tune with wondrous overall existence advancing over time; sorrow, doubt and remorse immediately start disappearing; and your life soon gathers new impetus.

Last week's subject was the Third Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) enunciation, definition or explanation of our intention - we put our plan into words.

This week's subject is therefore the Fourth Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) disposition, frame of mind or attitude to carry out our intention.

The purpose of the ASP is that we study (and debate in the group, family circle or with good friends) the meaning and implications of the weekly subject particularly in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the group, sangha, society at large, etc.

Tip: Write down this week's subject (adopt right attitude) in your pocket diary!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm#plan>

A Spiritual Revolution (Beliefnet)

Our problems, both those we experience externally such as wars, crime and violence and those we experience internally as emotional and psychological suffering will not be solved until we address this underlying neglect of our inner dimension. That is why the great movements of the last hundred years and more -- democracy, liberalism, socialism, and Communism -- have all failed to deliver the universal benefits they were supposed to provide, despite many wonderful ideas. A revolution is called for, certainly, but not a political, an economic, or a technical revolution. We have had enough experience of these during the past century to know that a purely external approach will not suffice. What I propose is a spiritual revolution. (HH the Dalai Lama)

In meditation, don't expect anything (Beliefnet)

In meditation, don't expect anything. Just sit back and see what happens. Treat the whole thing as an experiment. Take an active interest in the test itself, but don't get distracted by your expectations about the results. For that matter, don't be anxious for any result whatsoever. (Gunaratana)

Advayavada Study Plan - week 34

Friends,

In Advayavada Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is interpreted dynamically as an ongoing and autonomous, non-prescriptive, investigative and creative process of progressive insight reflecting in human terms overall existence advancing over time.

The Noble Eightfold Path in Advayavada Buddhism is fully personalized: it is firmly based on what we increasingly know about ourselves and our world, and trusting our own feelings and conscience.

By following the Noble Eightfold Path thus you get in tune with wondrous overall existence advancing over time; sorrow, doubt and remorse immediately start disappearing; and your life soon gathers new impetus.

Last week's ASP subject was the Second Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) determination in view of our personal situation at this time.

This week's subject is therefore the Third Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) enunciation, definition or explanation of our intention.

The purpose of the ASP is that we study and discuss the meaning and implications of the weekly subject particularly in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the group, sangha, society at large, etc.

Tip: Write down this week's subject (put plan into words) in your pocket diary!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm#plan>

AddToAny

Friends,
There is now an AddToAny share device on all pages of our website.
/\ John.

Groups

People avidly join e-groups and then clam up! Why?

Trusting our conscience

The Noble Eightfold Path in Advayavada Buddhism is fully personalized: it is firmly based on what we increasingly know about ourselves and our world, and trusting our own feelings and conscience.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Friends,
What do we know about the attitude of the Burmese mahatheras (particularly the expat monks) with respect to Aung San Suu Kyi?
/\ John.

Anniversary

Friends,

Wednesday (August 12th.) is the 23rd. anniversary of the inception of Advayavada Buddhism.

Cheers,
John.

Advayavada Study Plan - week 33

Friends,

In Advayavada Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is interpreted dynamically as an ongoing and autonomous, non-prescriptive, investigative and creative process of progressive insight reflecting in human terms overall existence advancing over time.

The Noble Eightfold Path in Advayavada Buddhism is fully personalized and firmly based on what we increasingly know about ourselves and our world.

By following the Noble Eightfold Path thus you get in tune with wondrous overall existence advancing over time; sorrow, doubt and remorse immediately start disappearing; and your life soon gathers new impetus.

Last week's ASP subject was the First Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) insight into the circumstances of our own life at the present time.

This week's subject is therefore the Second Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) determination in view of our personal situation at this time.

The purpose of the ASP is that we study and discuss the meaning and implications of the weekly subject particularly in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the group, sangha, society at large, etc.

Tip: Write down this week's subject ('make a decision') in your pocket diary!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm#plan>

Dhammapada 166 (translations compared)

Don't sacrifice your own welfare for that of another, no matter how great. Realizing your own true welfare, be intent on just that. (Thanissaro Bhikkhu)

For the sake of others' welfare, however great, let not one neglect one's own welfare. Clearly perceiving one's own welfare, let one be intent on one's own goal. (Narada Thera)

Let no one neglect his own task for the sake of another's, however great; let him, after he has discerned his own task, devote himself to his task. (Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan)

Food for thought!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>

The 'easy' way (Beliefnet)

There is an extremely easy way to become Buddha. Refraining from all evil, not clinging to birth and death, working in deep compassion for all sentient beings, respecting those over you and pitying those below you, without any detesting or desiring, worrying or lamentation - this is what is called Buddha. Do not search beyond it. (Dogen)

Dalai Lama Documentary

http://www.dalailamafilm.com/

Advayavada Study Plan - week 32

Friends,

In Advayavada Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is interpreted dynamically as an ongoing and autonomous, non-prescriptive, investigative and creative process of progressive insight reflecting in human terms overall existence advancing over time.

The Noble Eightfold Path in Advayavada Buddhism is fully personalized and firmly based on what we increasingly know about ourselves and our world.

By following the Noble Eightfold Path thus you get in tune with wondrous overall existence advancing over time; sorrow, doubt and remorse immediately start disappearing; and your life soon gathers new impetus.

These past five weeks we handled the preliminary subjects and this week's subject is again the First Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) comprehension of or insight into our own life at the present moment in time - in other words, what is, honestly, my personal situation right now?

The purpose of the ASP is that we study and discuss the meaning and implications of the weekly subject particularly in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the group, sangha, society at large, etc.

Tip: Write down this week's subject (What is my situation now?) in your pocket diary!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm#plan>