The Meaning of Prayer

Bahū ve saraṇaṃ yanti pabbatāni vanāni ca
Ārāmarukkhacetyāni manussā bhayatajjitā.

Driven only by fear, do men go for refuge to many places — to hills, woods, groves, trees and shrines.

- Dhammapada Verse 188

The Meaning of Prayer
by Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
from Ven.'s book 'What Buddhists Believe'

Nature is impartial; it cannot be flattered by prayers. It does not grant any special favours on request.

Man is not a fallen creature who begs for his needs as he awaits mercy. According to Buddhism, man is a potential master of himself. Only because of his deep ignorance does man fail to realize his full potential. Since the Buddha has shown this hidden power, man must cultivate his mind and try to develop it by realizing his innate ability.

Don't Worry, Be Angry

August 13, 2015 Thanissara

Anger can clarify and energize our commitment to social change. 

Buddhists often shame each other for expressing anger. But getting in touch with our anger is vital.

If we aim to engage destructive social structures, as we must, our efforts will bring us into direct relationship with anger and outrage. At its worst, anger burns us up, injures others, or, when we repress it, collapses us into depression. In the spiritual realm, it can also become passive aggression, which either internalizes as the hyper-energized inner critic or projects out onto those who are "not following the rules.”

Mind over matter.

At one time Vietnam was divided into North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam was under communist rule while the South was under a government propped up by the US. US involvement in Vietnam came because of the fear of communism spreading to other South East Asian countries in the so call 'dominoes effect'. Diem came to power under fraudulent election when he won the 600,000 votes out of an electorate of 450,000. President Diem was a Christian and he appointed only Christians in his ruling government. Soon his persecution of Buddhists in the vastly Buddhist majority Buddhist population begin. It culminated in the banning of flying the Buddhist flag during Wesak day when just a few days ago he allowed the flying of the Vatican flag.

Thích Quảng Đức, a Mahayanist monk saw the mistreatment and discrimination to Buddhist and he decided to send a message to Diem.

In 1963 at a junction in the City of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, Thích Quảng Đức and a few hundred monks arrived at the junction. There Thích Quảng Đức sat in lotus position while one of his disciple poured petrol on him and his body was lit. 

How to Do Metta

BY JACK KORNFIELD | AUGUST 11, 2015

Kuan Yin, bodhisattva of compassion. Photo by Liza Matthews

Jack Kornfield on beginning this time-honored, heart-opening practice.

In our culture, people find it difficult to direct loving-kindness to themselves. We may feel that we are unworthy, or that it’s egotistical, or that we shouldn’t be happy when other people are suffering. So rather than start loving-kindness practice with ourselves, which is traditional, I find it more helpful to start with those we most naturally love and care about. One of the beautiful principles of compassion and loving-kindness practices is that we start where it works, where it’s easiest. We open our heart in the most natural way, then direct our loving-kindness little by little to the areas where it’s more difficult.

9 Ways to Overcome Sleepiness in Meditation

by Bhante Gunaratana August 12, 2015

Sloth and Torpor

Symptoms: Sloth and torpor is the traditional description given to all sleepy, lethargic, sluggish states of mind. Sleepiness and drowsiness is another common translation. Sometimes you are just too tired, mentally, physically, or both. Sleepiness feels sweet and you want it. You have just no drive or energy. Sometimes you just can’t focus clearly. Concentration requires energy, vigor, clarity, and sharpness. In this state you just do not have it.

Nutriments: When you do mindfulness of breathing, body and mind become relaxed. You often feel sleepy and lethargic. Sleepiness is very sweet. You want to welcome it in, invite it to stay. But real joy does not arise from sleepiness or drowsiness. Don’t deceive yourself by identifying the cloying sweetness of sleepiness with real joy. It makes you dull. You lose your energy. The Buddha said: “This Dhamma is for developing energy, not for developing laziness.” Why can’t we concentrate strongly right now? 

Solutions: Try one of the following techniques.

Millionaire businessman gives up his possessions to become a Buddhist monk in China

By SARA MALM FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: UPDATED: 15:24 GMT, 10 August 2015

A Chinese millionaire has given up his fortune and all material possessions in order to become a Buddhist monk.

Liu Jingchong, a businessman from Guangdong Province, moved into the mountains to live in total isolation after an epiphany in 2012 made him desire a 'minimalist life'.

Two years later, he met a monk and decided to join a temple in east China, and instead of making millions he now works in a communal kitchen.

New life: Millionaire Liu Jingchong, 39,  moved into the 
mountains to live in total isolation after an epiphany in 
2012 made him desire a 'minimalist life'

The Mind and its Weather by John Aske

Posted on 22 December 2014 by Buddhism Now

When I first read about walking meditation years ago, I decided to try it out. The place I was staying in was with a large group of other people interested in Buddhism, and it had a large lawn — and sunshine.

I took off my shoes and walked slowly up and down as instructed. Lifting, swinging, placing, I told myself, then turning, turning, turning at the end of the strip, and lifting, swinging, placing again, noting when my mind went off on what I call ‘shopping trips’.