the Contemplation on Compassion

The current news is affecting our minds and our ability to find peace. How can we find peace with the current events disturbing our minds?

Our mind may be extremely disturbed by the influence of the recent wars or shooting incidents, and it is difficult to calm down; however, as long as we try to deeply explore this "uneasy mind", we will find that it is mixed with sympathy, anger, worry, sadness, etc.

In the midst of all these complex emotional thoughts, try to focus on the emotions that are more helpful to our practice, such as: sympathy, empathy, etc.  Make good use of those emotions to strengthen our practice of “the Contemplation on Compassion” (Karuna Bhavana).

The focus of the practice of "Compassion" is to eliminate the suffering of all sentient beings, and hope that all sentient beings will be free from physical pain and inner fear.  We keep blessing in our heart: “I hope that the residents living in the war can live a stable life as soon as possible; I hope that those who have lost their loved ones because of the shooting incident can pack up their minds as soon as possible, and face their life and future with strength and wisdom.”

Therefore, every time we encounter distressing and disturbing news, let’s think of "Karuna Bhavana". At that very moment, we wish all sentient beings to stay away from suffering, and on the other hand, we calm our mind and let it calm down gradually.

The Bodhisattva Aspiration

 Related to The Way to Buddhahood verse: no. 114

Not tolerating the decline of the noble teachings,

Not tolerating the suffering of sentient beings,

Through the arising of great compassion,

Enter into the Great Vehicle.

Article Reading: 

An Everyday Aspiration by Manjusura

Food for thought:

How can I turn my common daily task into an Everyday Bodhisattva Aspiration?

Safeguard your children with wisdom and compassion

Wisdom and compassion are important assets in life. Have you saved it for yourself and your children?

The most effective way to safeguard your children is to do your best and give them a positive influence.

Cultivate wisdom and compassion thru practicing mindfulness

Whether it is a child, oneself, or a inner child who has not yet grown up, let’s consider the practice of mindfulness to cultivate more wisdom and compassion.

 Reroute attention ~> Adjust emotions ~> Soften words and deeds ~> Improve relationships

Eliminate Fears by the Method of Recollections

Reading Material:

Spiritual Advice for Fears of Pandemic

by Gesshin Claire Greenwood

https://medium.com/@clairegesshin/spiritual-advice-for-fears-of-pandemic-ae84a94eded2

The Six Recollections :

Some people are afraid of illness, death, or regression to the three evil destinies after death. Full of worry and regret, they are extremely miserable. The Buddha said that people whose minds are timid and fearful should practice the doctrine of the six recollections. 

“Recollection,” which means being mindful and remembering, is a convenient method for practicing meditation.

What are the six recollections?

The six kinds of mindfulness to dwell upon: Buddha 念佛, the Dharma 念法, the saṃgha 念僧, the precepts 念戒, almsgiving 念施, and heaven with its prospective joys 念天, according to the Dīrghâgama

The first three types of Recollections:

(1) The recollection of the excellent and solemn appearance of the Buddha, as well as the Buddha’s virtues: wisdom, grace, and freedom from defilements. 

(2) The recollection of the Buddha’s true Dharma, which is comforting and can lead to emancipation. If one can accept it and follow it appropriately, one can thoroughly understand and realize the Truth at any time.

(3) The recollection of the śrāvaka Saṅgha / The recollection of the bodhisattva Saṅgha

(3a) The śrāvaka Saṅgha: These are beings who virtuously keep the precepts, practice meditation, and have wisdom, liberation, and perfect knowledge of liberation; they are the field of good fortune in this world.

(3b) The bodhisattva Saṅgha: those who have great compassion and great wisdom and are a benefit to themselves and others.

The Result of Recollections:

When one’s mind is focused securely on the pure and awesome virtues of the Buddha (Dharma or Saṅgha), one can leave behind deviant thoughts, defiled desires, worries, regrets, and fears.

~~ excerpted from The Way to Buddhahood, verse 57

Sample videoclips :

The Recollection of the Buddha (by chanting Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa)

https://youtu.be/wY9ZyjZBCz8

Literally, I pay homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One.

The Recollection of the Saṅgha (by chanting Namo Avalokiteshvara)

https://youtu.be/ntBfYFFlbV8

Literally, I pay homage to the Bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy.

Food for Thought:

What’s your common practice whenever you encounter fear or worry?

Is time to back to an art you interested

Buddhist Thank-You Cards

By Carolyn Gregoire

Finding a bridge to pass through our tragedy to the land of understanding and compassion.

Excerptions :

“No mud, no lotus” ......it is from suffering that we learn compassion, from loss that we learn understanding, and from overcoming struggles that we come to discover our own strength and beauty.

The phenomenon of post-traumatic growth has now been observed in more than 300 scientific studies, and research has found that up to 70 percent of trauma survivors report some positive psychological growth.

Art seeks to make sense of everything from life’s smallest moments of sadness to its most earthshattering tragedies......And last, art can be a vehicle for the development of compassion.

......

Click here to read the article: Buddhist Thank-You Cards

Upholding the name of Avalokiteśvara

Cultivate compassion by upholding the name of Avalokiteśvara

2018/07/08

JBT English Dharma Group

by Ven. Ekāyana

Think about :

Buddha forgave Devadatta and considered him as Good friend 

who assisted Him for accumulating His Paramitas.

Someone might hurt us in the past......

would we allow that unpleasant experience ruins our whole life?

Life is too short to waste 

Dwelling in the past is as equal as

wasting our beautiful and precious present moments

Imprison ourself in negative emotions by not forgiving

is as similar as

ruining our amazing and blissful future potential

So, pick a practice ......

Carry on for 15–30 minutes a day

Turn our REACTION mode to AWARENESS mode

Join me in the WHOLESOME CYCLE

for the good of oneself and all beings.

Click here to download PDF PRESENTATION

Click here to download AUDIO TALK

Compassion Meditation

Family Dharma: Leaning into Suffering

By Beth Roth

A great exploring on the topic of Compassion Meditation with wide range of subjects and author’s personal experience.

Excerptions :

The Four Divine Abodes are natural states of the human mind and heart, yet they are often obscured by our conditioning, habits, and difficult emotions. 

Although the Pali word dukkha is most often translated into English as “suffering,” other common translations point to the comprehensive meaning of dukkha:  illness, unhappiness, neuroses, discomfort, pervasive unsatisfactoriness, or perhaps most simply, stress. 

The Pali word karuna, which translates into English as “compassion,” literally means “the trembling or quivering of the heart in response to a being’s pain.”

The second part of the definition of karuna, “in response to a being’s pain,” means that since every person is a being, we are called upon to meet not only another’s suffering with love, but also our own.

When we are suffering, we are as much in need of our compassion as is any other being, and we are equally deserving of it.

To recognize our suffering and respond to it with compassion is a gradual process, and it must be done with sensitivity and care.  As we develop our internal resources, we may also need reliable external support – a good friend, an experienced meditation partner or teacher, a skilled therapist.  This is not a path we need to walk alone......

If freedom from pain and sorrow seems impossible because of physical illness or other circumstances, we may need to experiment to find more resonant phrases.  For example, “May I care for my body just as it is,” or “May I meet this suffering with tenderness and love.”

......

Click here to read the article: Family Dharma: Leaning into Suffering