![]() It’s time to open our wisdom eye and good heart, and grok this world, clear and open. The future begins now, starting with one step. I know now that we can’t just ask what needs changing without sincerely striving to know and transform ourselves. And our broken social systems also need transformation. We do need genuine change and transformation, each and all of us. Unfortunately, we seem unable to recognize the interdependence of all.Ī sage said: “The light by which we see is the one by which we are seen.” You can see this at many levels, human and divine. Recognizing our interconnectedness and collective interdependence allows us to appreciate, respect and accept our undeniable responsibility to protect all the flora and fauna of this earth, and all the habitats, oceans and rivers too. I find it by going mindfully outside, interbeing with the beauty and richness of nature, and observing directly the inseparable unity of doing and being in moments of inter-meditation, co-meditating with water, sky, wind and trees and thru the inseparable unity of contemplation and action, faith and deeds, on the path of awakened living. Today we celebrate Earth Day, and I ask you: What may inspire, motivate and sustain your feelings of connection and universal responsibility, intentional altruistic actions, and the recognition that we must move from me to we if we are to survive and flourish on this endangered planet? This is based on the interwoven interdependence of all things–all of us, and all creatures great and small. The eightfold path is at the heart of the middle way, which turns from extremes and supports us to seek the simple approach.Buddhist thought and practice has always emphasized nonviolence, especially protecting and cherishing of all forms of life. Thus the atmosphere is created to move faster to the Buddhist pathway. The eightfold path referred to as steps on a path, is not meant as an in order learning process, but as eight parts of life, all of which are to be integrated in everyday life. The Three Trainings are actually put into practice through the Eightfold Path. So sila, samadhi and prajna are the three fundamental ways we guide and expand ourselves on the holy path. I would like to say insight and love, for completeness’ sake, since reality and love, or insight and kindness, are inseparable. The third training, (prajna), means insight, discrimination, and judgment. Mindfulness training includes the calculated development of self-observation and wakefulness, training the attention and concentration, presence of mind and meditation training. Principles training or sila (literally: cooling) includes self-discipline, morality, virtue, selflessness, service, and so on. These three trainings are the tripod-like bases that support all the Buddhist practices on the path of enlightened living. The Eightfold Path is to be experienced though the three principles training (sila) meditation training and mindfulness training, (Samadhi) and wisdom and love training (prajna). The Noble Eightfold Path way is the method to end suffering. ![]() ![]() Suffering can be reduced by following the Eightfold Path. ![]() If we admit what we have and stop wanting more we will become glad.Ĥ. All delicate desires must be extinguished by the human being who wishes freedom from suffering and it can be extinguished by walking the Path. Because we don’t have what we want we think and feel trouble.ģ. All suffering is caused by craving/desire and attachment. Suffering happens all through life because people always want more or little bit better than what they already have.Ģ. If you want to know Buddhism, you must know the Four Noble Truths.” The Four Noble Truths are the facts of life from a Buddhist perspective. As the Dalai Lama said, “There is no Buddhism without the Four Noble Truths. Despite the unbelievable variety of scriptures, practices, languages, cultures and approaches, we find at the center of all the customs of Buddhism the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. ![]()
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