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100-Day Practice
November 29, 2022
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100-Day Practice
- Vows to the
Threefold Refuge - Words for Practice
- Chamhoe (Repentance)
- 108 Bows
- Meditation
- Daily Reading
- Vows of the
Jungto Practitioner - Objectives of the
10th 1000-Day Practice - Ten Guides Along the Path
- The Four Great Vows
- Sharing
Personal practice statement
100-Day Practice
We will begin the 93rd day of the 10th 100-Day
of the 10th 1000-Day of the 1st 10,000-Day Practice.
Vows to the Threefold Refuge
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I pay homage and reverence to the Buddha.
I am delighted to learn the Dharma.
I vow to practice diligently with the knowledge that all my suffering is caused by my own ignorance.
I am proud to be a disciple of the Buddha.
I vow to become a bodhisattva, liberating all sentient beings from suffering.
Words for Practice
The root of all suffering and attachments is within ourselves.
Those who don't make the effort to closely reflect upon their own lives mistakenly believe that suffering and attachments come from the outside. Our attempts to find happiness and freedom by searching various religions, attending many temples and churches, and visiting different teachers are to no avail because the path to peace of mind can never be found outside of our minds.
No matter what kinds of problems we may have, if we reflect deeply, we realize that the root of our afflictions is within us and that the mind itself is empty. With this realization, our suffering naturally disappears.
Nevertheless, we still hold onto our opinions and make distinctions of right or wrong, thereby bringing all manner of suffering upon ourselves.
Once we free ourselves from our attachments, our suffering will immediately end.
Chamhoe (Repentance)
When we look outwardly, our anger, frustration, hate and resentment often seem to be caused by others.
However, upon introspection, we realize that those feelings arise in us because we are caught up in the notion, “I am right.”
When we realize that nothing is inherently right or wrong in the Dharma and let go of the thought, “I am right,” all of our suffering and karmic hindrances will disappear.
Keeping the meaning of *Chamhoe (참회, 懺悔, Repentance) and your aspiration in mind, perform each bow while reflecting upon and repenting for your past actions.
With great aspiration and deep practice in the bodhisattva path,
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Gwanseum Bosal) manifests themselves
in our present world to save all sentient beings from suffering.
With all our hearts, we take refuge in t he Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara,
who saves all sentient beings with great love and compassion.
Gwanseum Bosal, Gwanseum Bosal, Gwanseum Bosal…
Mantra that ends all karmas:
[Om Areuneukge Sabaha]
With all our hearts, we take refuge in the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
who manifests themselves in all worlds
to save all sentient beings from suffering
and enable them to attain enlightenment
with their extraordinary powers and means.
This is our wish.
This is our wish.
Meditation
Meditate for 10 minutes or more.
Close your eyes and straighten your back. Focus your mind on the tip of your nose around your nostrils. Observe the breath as you inhale and exhale.
Daily Reading
Read today's sutra three times.
August 28, 2022
Vaṅgīsa
Overcoming Māra’s devious path,
I wander with hard-heartedness dissolved.
See him, the liberator from bonds,
Unattached, teaching the Dhamma by analysing each section.
He has explained in many ways
The path to cross the flood.
Since the deathless has been explained,
The seers of Dhamma stand unshakable.
Overcoming Māra’s devious path,
I wander with hard-heartedness dissolved.
See him, the liberator from bonds,
Unattached, teaching the Dhamma by analysing each section.
He has explained in many ways
The path to cross the flood.
Since the deathless has been explained,
The seers of Dhamma stand unshakable.
August 29, 2022
Do You Regret Some of Your Past Actions?
Regret is rooted in self-blame. The frustration you feel for making mistakes is actually a form of self-abuse.
Frustration is an emotion that arises when you don’t understand others;
regret is an emotion that arises when you don’t understand yourself.
It’s foolish to blame yourself and feel regret for what has already happened.
Instead, view it with a light heart and accept it was simply a mistake. Vow that you won’t make that same mistake again and then move on.
Regret is rooted in self-blame. The frustration you feel for making mistakes is actually a form of self-abuse.
Frustration is an emotion that arises when you don’t understand others;
regret is an emotion that arises when you don’t understand yourself.
It’s foolish to blame yourself and feel regret for what has already happened.
Instead, view it with a light heart and accept it was simply a mistake. Vow that you won’t make that same mistake again and then move on.
August 30, 2022
Nourishment for the Mind
What kind of nourishment are you feeding your mind for happiness?
Do you pay as much attention to your mind as you do your body?
Why do we still suffer even when we are physically healthy?
There is medicine for our body when we fall ill, but what medicine is there for our mind when we are suffering?
The medicine is awareness. When our mind is sick, no matter what we do, if we are not aware of our own state of mind, everything we do will be fruitless.
Recognize your own state of mind. Like steady drops of water penetrating a stone, be persistent in your practice of recognizing your state of mind. That’s the nourishment your mind needs for happiness.
What kind of nourishment are you feeding your mind for happiness?
Do you pay as much attention to your mind as you do your body?
Why do we still suffer even when we are physically healthy?
There is medicine for our body when we fall ill, but what medicine is there for our mind when we are suffering?
The medicine is awareness. When our mind is sick, no matter what we do, if we are not aware of our own state of mind, everything we do will be fruitless.
Recognize your own state of mind. Like steady drops of water penetrating a stone, be persistent in your practice of recognizing your state of mind. That’s the nourishment your mind needs for happiness.
August 31, 2022
The Essence of Happiness
What does it mean to be healthy?
Being healthy isn’t defined by whether or not you can run 100 meters in 12 seconds or complete 100 push-ups. If you don’t have an illness, you are healthy. Whether you are short or tall, whether you do or don’t have a physical disability, if you are not sick, you are healthy.
Happiness works the same way. If there is no suffering in your heart, you are happy.
What does it mean to be healthy?
Being healthy isn’t defined by whether or not you can run 100 meters in 12 seconds or complete 100 push-ups. If you don’t have an illness, you are healthy. Whether you are short or tall, whether you do or don’t have a physical disability, if you are not sick, you are healthy.
Happiness works the same way. If there is no suffering in your heart, you are happy.
September 1, 2022
My Hard Work Doesn’t Pay Off
When working toward a goal, most people feel they don’t get the payoff their hard work deserves.
Let’s say you could achieve 100% of your goal based on your abilities, but it would still be a success if you only achieved 70%.
The problem is that most of us expect to achieve not 100% or the more sensible 70%, but 120%. Naturally, holding this unrealistic expectation leads to disappointment.
As these disappointments add up over time, it is eventually expressed by blaming God, Buddha, or anyone or anything you can find a reason to blame.
When working toward a goal, most people feel they don’t get the payoff their hard work deserves.
Let’s say you could achieve 100% of your goal based on your abilities, but it would still be a success if you only achieved 70%.
The problem is that most of us expect to achieve not 100% or the more sensible 70%, but 120%. Naturally, holding this unrealistic expectation leads to disappointment.
As these disappointments add up over time, it is eventually expressed by blaming God, Buddha, or anyone or anything you can find a reason to blame.
September 2, 2022
My Hard Work Doesn’t Pay Off (continued)
The disappointment you feel isn’t the result of someone else’s actions, but is the result of your own greed, in wanting more than you can reasonably get.
There is a saying “failure is the mother of success.” If you feel defeated because you failed, it’s because you expected more than your efforts could earn you. Examine why you failed and then make an effort to improve. That process would be a big success in and of itself.
The disappointment you feel isn’t the result of someone else’s actions, but is the result of your own greed, in wanting more than you can reasonably get.
There is a saying “failure is the mother of success.” If you feel defeated because you failed, it’s because you expected more than your efforts could earn you. Examine why you failed and then make an effort to improve. That process would be a big success in and of itself.
September 3, 2022
What Is the Purpose of Life?
When people are young, they wonder about the purpose of life. They think about it again in their 40s and 50s. Feeling suddenly purposeless after leading a busy life makes people reflect on what life is all about.
However, this question has no answer. This is because life already existed before the thought of why it exists emerges in one’s consciousness. It is impossible to find a reason for our being because our thoughts are a byproduct of our lives.
Life has already been gifted to you and will naturally end when you die. In the life you are already living, the choice you can make is whether you will live happily or miserably.
When people are young, they wonder about the purpose of life. They think about it again in their 40s and 50s. Feeling suddenly purposeless after leading a busy life makes people reflect on what life is all about.
However, this question has no answer. This is because life already existed before the thought of why it exists emerges in one’s consciousness. It is impossible to find a reason for our being because our thoughts are a byproduct of our lives.
Life has already been gifted to you and will naturally end when you die. In the life you are already living, the choice you can make is whether you will live happily or miserably.
September 4, 2022
Develop Strength Through Practice
Look inside yourself when you face a problem in life. Look at the problem in a new way rather than your habitual one. Then, no matter what happens, you can live a life without being swayed. You won’t be grief stricken even though you cry.
You won’t be ecstatic even though you laugh. You won’t be shaken even though you become sick, grow old or experience the death of a loved one. Only then can you say that you have attained peace and enlightenment.
Look inside yourself when you face a problem in life. Look at the problem in a new way rather than your habitual one. Then, no matter what happens, you can live a life without being swayed. You won’t be grief stricken even though you cry.
You won’t be ecstatic even though you laugh. You won’t be shaken even though you become sick, grow old or experience the death of a loved one. Only then can you say that you have attained peace and enlightenment.
September 5, 2022
I Want to Be Recognized
In and of itself, your desire to be recognized by others isn’t bad.
However, others will not perceive you as you would like them to.
It’s your desire to be seen in a positive light by others, but others will have their own feelings on how they perceive you.
Wanting others to perceive you in a certain way is your attempt to try and control how others feel.
You will feel freer and lighter simply by accepting that others get to choose how they perceive you.
In and of itself, your desire to be recognized by others isn’t bad.
However, others will not perceive you as you would like them to.
It’s your desire to be seen in a positive light by others, but others will have their own feelings on how they perceive you.
Wanting others to perceive you in a certain way is your attempt to try and control how others feel.
You will feel freer and lighter simply by accepting that others get to choose how they perceive you.
September 6, 2022
Likes and Dislikes
Have you ever experienced being excited about an event only to have it turn out to be a disappointment or experienced dreading an event only to have it turn into an unexpected surprise?
We all want to experience what we like and avoid what we don’t like. In the long run, though, there is no guarantee that things will stay the same.
Have you ever experienced being excited about an event only to have it turn out to be a disappointment or experienced dreading an event only to have it turn into an unexpected surprise?
We all want to experience what we like and avoid what we don’t like. In the long run, though, there is no guarantee that things will stay the same.
September 7, 2022
Likes and Dislikes (continued)
Instead of blindly following your likes and dislikes, smile at your likes, shrug at your dislikes and then move on. This attitude will help you ride the waves of your likes and dislikes.
If you observe your mind and understand how it works, you can be free and happy in any situation.
Instead of blindly following your likes and dislikes, smile at your likes, shrug at your dislikes and then move on. This attitude will help you ride the waves of your likes and dislikes.
If you observe your mind and understand how it works, you can be free and happy in any situation.
September 8, 2022
The Difference Between Humility and Subservience
Humility and subservience may appear similar to each other, but they are worlds apart.
If you treat everyone equally regardless of their social status, people will call you humble.
However, if you believe there are hierarchies in social status, you will feel inferior when
interacting with someone of a higher social status. People will call you subservient.
Humility and subservience may appear similar to each other, but they are worlds apart.
If you treat everyone equally regardless of their social status, people will call you humble.
However, if you believe there are hierarchies in social status, you will feel inferior when
interacting with someone of a higher social status. People will call you subservient.
September 9, 2022
The Difference Between Humility and Subservience (continued)
Humility is rooted in equality, while subservience is rooted in discrimination. That’s why the Buddha once told his disciples:
“Be humble, not arrogant.”
“Be confident, not subservient.”
Humility is rooted in equality, while subservience is rooted in discrimination. That’s why the Buddha once told his disciples:
“Be humble, not arrogant.”
“Be confident, not subservient.”
September 10, 2022
How Can I Control My Anger?
When you hit a drum with a stick, it doesn’t pause to decide whether or not it’s going to make a sound. It immediately makes a sound.
Just like the drum that makes a sound the moment it’s hit, anger rises automatically. It isn’t easy to consciously control it because anger is rooted in our unconscious.
Instead of trying to control it, it’s more helpful to recognize our anger when it rises within us, a simple recognition of the fact that, “Oh, I’m getting angry.”
When you hit a drum with a stick, it doesn’t pause to decide whether or not it’s going to make a sound. It immediately makes a sound.
Just like the drum that makes a sound the moment it’s hit, anger rises automatically. It isn’t easy to consciously control it because anger is rooted in our unconscious.
Instead of trying to control it, it’s more helpful to recognize our anger when it rises within us, a simple recognition of the fact that, “Oh, I’m getting angry.”
September 11, 2022
How Can I Control My Anger? (continued)
The minute you notice your anger, it will stop growing. Even if you lose it and become angry at another person, if you notice it and immediately apologize, your anger won’t cause as much trouble in your life.
The minute you notice your anger, it will stop growing. Even if you lose it and become angry at another person, if you notice it and immediately apologize, your anger won’t cause as much trouble in your life.
September 12, 2022
Comparing Yourself to Others
Ants in your backyard all look the same to you, but if you observe them microscopically,
their lengths are different, their heights are different. Can you pick out which one is the normal ant, and which one is better than all the others?
Viewed from the perspective of the universe, we are just humans.
Whether one is tall or short, whether one is rich or poor, these differences cannot be distinguished from such a distance.
If you keep comparing yourself to others, you will make yourself insignificant and wretched. Once you stop comparing yourself to others, you will recognize that there wasn’t any problem to begin with.
Ants in your backyard all look the same to you, but if you observe them microscopically,
their lengths are different, their heights are different. Can you pick out which one is the normal ant, and which one is better than all the others?
Viewed from the perspective of the universe, we are just humans.
Whether one is tall or short, whether one is rich or poor, these differences cannot be distinguished from such a distance.
If you keep comparing yourself to others, you will make yourself insignificant and wretched. Once you stop comparing yourself to others, you will recognize that there wasn’t any problem to begin with.
September 13, 2022
I Want to Be a Good Person
There are people who are considered bad by others. These are people who physically hurt, cause loss, or harass others with words or drunken behavior.
There are ways not to become a bad person but there isn’t any clear standard on how to be a good person.
Don’t fence yourself in with the idea of being a good person. Let go of your struggles to be seen as a good person. Live your life freely and enjoy the comfort of being who you are.
Embrace this challenge. Let's learn all we can from this experience so that we can overcome if an even more threatening virus emerges in the future.
There are people who are considered bad by others. These are people who physically hurt, cause loss, or harass others with words or drunken behavior.
There are ways not to become a bad person but there isn’t any clear standard on how to be a good person.
Don’t fence yourself in with the idea of being a good person. Let go of your struggles to be seen as a good person. Live your life freely and enjoy the comfort of being who you are.
Embrace this challenge. Let's learn all we can from this experience so that we can overcome if an even more threatening virus emerges in the future.
September 14, 2022
How Can I Speak up for Myself?
“It’s difficult for me to say no to others. I want to be able to speak my mind. What can I do?”
You can’t say no to others not because you are a good person, but because you want to be perceived as a good person by others.
Who in the world is always praised?
Even the Buddha and Jesus were condemned by some.
“It’s difficult for me to say no to others. I want to be able to speak my mind. What can I do?”
You can’t say no to others not because you are a good person, but because you want to be perceived as a good person by others.
Who in the world is always praised?
Even the Buddha and Jesus were condemned by some.
September 15, 2022
How Can I Speak up for Myself? (continued)
If you don’t want to be criticized, don’t speak your mind. If you want to speak for yourself, embrace being criticized. You are in a contradictory state when you want to speak your mind, but don’t want to be criticized.
Embrace criticism. You can speak for yourself anytime.
If you don’t want to be criticized, don’t speak your mind. If you want to speak for yourself, embrace being criticized. You are in a contradictory state when you want to speak your mind, but don’t want to be criticized.
Embrace criticism. You can speak for yourself anytime.
September 16, 2022
I Am Anxious About How Others Might Perceive Me
Dwelling too much on what others might think of me comes from the belief that I am special, so I need to be perceived as such.
We are no more special than a clump of grass on the side of the road. How others perceive you is simply their thought, over which you have no control.
Let go of the belief that you are special, and you will be able to enjoy your life much more.
Dwelling too much on what others might think of me comes from the belief that I am special, so I need to be perceived as such.
We are no more special than a clump of grass on the side of the road. How others perceive you is simply their thought, over which you have no control.
Let go of the belief that you are special, and you will be able to enjoy your life much more.
September 17, 2022
Meditation
We live entangled in a myriad of thoughts. We either think about a past that has already gone or a future that has yet to come. Thinking about the past brings us suffering while thinking about the future provokes anxiety.
Meditation is about being awake to the here, now and me. Nothing else is happening at this moment. Recognize that you exist at this exact moment simply by breathing in and out.
We live entangled in a myriad of thoughts. We either think about a past that has already gone or a future that has yet to come. Thinking about the past brings us suffering while thinking about the future provokes anxiety.
Meditation is about being awake to the here, now and me. Nothing else is happening at this moment. Recognize that you exist at this exact moment simply by breathing in and out.
September 18, 2022
Maintaining Mindfulness While Doing a Task
When you are preoccupied with doing something well, your mind becomes anxious. Reminding yourself to relax doesn’t help.
When your mind is preoccupied with something, simply acknowledging your state of mind is more helpful than telling yourself to relax.
When you are preoccupied with doing something well, your mind becomes anxious. Reminding yourself to relax doesn’t help.
When your mind is preoccupied with something, simply acknowledging your state of mind is more helpful than telling yourself to relax.
September 19, 2022
Maintaining Mindfulness While Doing a Task (continued)
Constantly determining your state of mind or constantly disciplining yourself can be exhausting.
Try to focus on your task while, at the same time, you stay aware of your state of mind.
Constantly determining your state of mind or constantly disciplining yourself can be exhausting.
Try to focus on your task while, at the same time, you stay aware of your state of mind.
September 20, 2022
How Can I Be More Decisive?
When you can't seem to make a decision, just flip a coin and choose accordingly.
The reason for your indecision is that you don’t want to take responsibility for any fallout that results from it.
You can make any decision easily as long as you are willing to accept the consequences of your action.
When you can't seem to make a decision, just flip a coin and choose accordingly.
The reason for your indecision is that you don’t want to take responsibility for any fallout that results from it.
You can make any decision easily as long as you are willing to accept the consequences of your action.
September 21, 2022
The Reason That Life Feels Painful
We can’t always get what we want.
There is no problem if you like someone, and they like you back. But if that person likes someone else, you have to then decide whether to keep pursuing them or move on.
The question, “How come you don’t like me when I like you?” originates from the delusion that another person should be the way we want them to be.
We can’t always get what we want.
There is no problem if you like someone, and they like you back. But if that person likes someone else, you have to then decide whether to keep pursuing them or move on.
The question, “How come you don’t like me when I like you?” originates from the delusion that another person should be the way we want them to be.
September 22, 2022
The Reason That Life Feels Painful (continued)
In the same way, we can’t always do what others expect us to. If you can meet their expectations, that’s good. If you can but don’t want to, that’s also okay. If you don’t want to do it, but it will cause you loss if you don’t, then do it.
The truth is that you can’t always get what you want, and you can’t always please others.
It’s not the event or others that cause you suffering, it’s not knowing this truth that causes you suffering.
In the same way, we can’t always do what others expect us to. If you can meet their expectations, that’s good. If you can but don’t want to, that’s also okay. If you don’t want to do it, but it will cause you loss if you don’t, then do it.
The truth is that you can’t always get what you want, and you can’t always please others.
It’s not the event or others that cause you suffering, it’s not knowing this truth that causes you suffering.
September 23, 2022
Fear of Death
Fear is more likely to arise in a dark room than a bright one. This is because the darkness makes it difficult to see and the unknown triggers fear. We are also in the dark about what happens after death. This not knowing likewise causes fear.
The Buddha says there is no difference between life and death. Just like birth is a natural phenomenon, he considered death to be the same. That is why at the moment of death a practitioner simply watches their last breath. There is no room for fear to arise when you are simply focused on your breath. If you are not afraid of death, you won’t be anxious about what happens afterward.
Fear is more likely to arise in a dark room than a bright one. This is because the darkness makes it difficult to see and the unknown triggers fear. We are also in the dark about what happens after death. This not knowing likewise causes fear.
The Buddha says there is no difference between life and death. Just like birth is a natural phenomenon, he considered death to be the same. That is why at the moment of death a practitioner simply watches their last breath. There is no room for fear to arise when you are simply focused on your breath. If you are not afraid of death, you won’t be anxious about what happens afterward.
September 24, 2022
Fear of Death (continued)
Nirvana is the state where you are not afraid of death. If you transcend your fear of death, there are few things that can make you fearful. There may be events that make your life inconvenient, but they won’t cause fear. Practice is working toward this state of mind.
Nirvana is the state where you are not afraid of death. If you transcend your fear of death, there are few things that can make you fearful. There may be events that make your life inconvenient, but they won’t cause fear. Practice is working toward this state of mind.
September 25, 2022
Like the First Time
Our lives are shaped by habitual experiences. Whether it’s a person or a task, it’s hard to have a fresh perspective if you have become inured to the experience.
When you visit a place for the first time, it feels novel, so you spend a lot of time examining it.
Look at your life in the same way.
Examine it like it’s a new place.
Put your heart into a routine task like it’s the first time you’ve done it.
Our lives are shaped by habitual experiences. Whether it’s a person or a task, it’s hard to have a fresh perspective if you have become inured to the experience.
When you visit a place for the first time, it feels novel, so you spend a lot of time examining it.
Look at your life in the same way.
Examine it like it’s a new place.
Put your heart into a routine task like it’s the first time you’ve done it.
September 26, 2022
The Meaning of Respect
Respect comes from acknowledging that the other person is different from you. Our appearance, beliefs and personalities are all different.
The fact that people are different from each other is a simple truth. Accepting that truth is the foundation of respect.
While respecting others means acknowledging they are different from you, respecting yourself means accepting yourself for who you are.
That’s the meaning of respect.
Respect comes from acknowledging that the other person is different from you. Our appearance, beliefs and personalities are all different.
The fact that people are different from each other is a simple truth. Accepting that truth is the foundation of respect.
While respecting others means acknowledging they are different from you, respecting yourself means accepting yourself for who you are.
That’s the meaning of respect.
September 27, 2022
I Don’t Have a Passion for Anything in Life, so My Life Isn’t Fun.
Why do you have to have a passion in life? Being passionate about something means your mind is in an excited state. Life goes on whether or not you feel excited. It doesn’t mean you should stop doing anything. It simply means letting go of your desire for more money, higher status, etc.
Squirrels don’t search for food because it’s fun nor does their search cause them to suffer. They simply do the best job they can.
There is no need to generate suffering by insisting that you should have a passion in life. Like the squirrel, live your life the best way you can.
When you don’t add conditions to it, life isn’t all that complicated or difficult.
Why do you have to have a passion in life? Being passionate about something means your mind is in an excited state. Life goes on whether or not you feel excited. It doesn’t mean you should stop doing anything. It simply means letting go of your desire for more money, higher status, etc.
Squirrels don’t search for food because it’s fun nor does their search cause them to suffer. They simply do the best job they can.
There is no need to generate suffering by insisting that you should have a passion in life. Like the squirrel, live your life the best way you can.
When you don’t add conditions to it, life isn’t all that complicated or difficult.
September 28, 2022
The Difference Between Letting Go and Avoiding
When you avoid an issue you’re facing, it will likely return over and over again.
Let’s say you break up with your partner, and then you get drunk to avoid feeling the pain of the breakup. At that moment, you may feel better, but the pain will most likely return the next morning. However, if you feel gratitude toward your ex-partner for the time you spent together and let go of your attachment to them, it is more likely your pain will disappear.
When you avoid an issue you’re facing, it will likely return over and over again.
Let’s say you break up with your partner, and then you get drunk to avoid feeling the pain of the breakup. At that moment, you may feel better, but the pain will most likely return the next morning. However, if you feel gratitude toward your ex-partner for the time you spent together and let go of your attachment to them, it is more likely your pain will disappear.
September 29, 2022
The Difference Between Letting Go and Avoiding (continued)
If you avoid answering a call from your parents because you have a bad relationship with them, you will probably continue to suffer from that relationship. If you let go of your bad feelings toward your parents, it won’t bother you whether or not they call you.
When you face difficulties in life, it’s better to confront them and then let go of them rather than avoid them.
If you avoid answering a call from your parents because you have a bad relationship with them, you will probably continue to suffer from that relationship. If you let go of your bad feelings toward your parents, it won’t bother you whether or not they call you.
When you face difficulties in life, it’s better to confront them and then let go of them rather than avoid them.
September 30, 2022
The Time Lag Between Cause and Effect
If people experienced an immediate loss from their bad deeds, no one would commit one. On the other hand, if people benefitted right away from a good deed, everyone would perform them.
Because the consequences of one’s actions don’t occur immediately, people think it’s ok to engage in a bad deed or avoid engaging in a good deed.
However, taking the long view, avoiding the consequences of a bad deed is impossible and harvesting the benefit of a good deed is inevitable. It’s just that you will not reap the consequences in the time frame you want or in the form you desire.
If people experienced an immediate loss from their bad deeds, no one would commit one. On the other hand, if people benefitted right away from a good deed, everyone would perform them.
Because the consequences of one’s actions don’t occur immediately, people think it’s ok to engage in a bad deed or avoid engaging in a good deed.
However, taking the long view, avoiding the consequences of a bad deed is impossible and harvesting the benefit of a good deed is inevitable. It’s just that you will not reap the consequences in the time frame you want or in the form you desire.
October 1, 2022
The Time Lag Between Cause and Effect (continued)
The effects of good deeds are being accumulated as merits while the consequences of bad deeds are building up as debts.
Don’t be disappointed or excited that the result of your deed doesn’t bear fruit right away. No one can escape the consequences of their actions no matter how far they run or where they hide.
The effects of good deeds are being accumulated as merits while the consequences of bad deeds are building up as debts.
Don’t be disappointed or excited that the result of your deed doesn’t bear fruit right away. No one can escape the consequences of their actions no matter how far they run or where they hide.
October 2, 2022
How to Be Free from Labor
When people work for someone else, they think they need to be compensated for the work they do.
However, if you believe it’s your work and you voluntarily give up being compensated for it, we call this service. Service is an expression of love.
Being free from labor doesn’t mean you don’t have to work. What it means is that you no longer expect compensation for it.
When people work for someone else, they think they need to be compensated for the work they do.
However, if you believe it’s your work and you voluntarily give up being compensated for it, we call this service. Service is an expression of love.
Being free from labor doesn’t mean you don’t have to work. What it means is that you no longer expect compensation for it.
October 3, 2022
The Reason Life Feels Tiring
There are many ways to resolve conflicts.
The most difficult is to change the other person into the person you want them to be.
The less difficult is for each person to compromise so they can meet in the middle.
The easiest is to adjust yourself to the other person.
However, all of us resist choosing the easiest path and insist on choosing the most difficult.
That’s why life feels so tiring.
There are many ways to resolve conflicts.
The most difficult is to change the other person into the person you want them to be.
The less difficult is for each person to compromise so they can meet in the middle.
The easiest is to adjust yourself to the other person.
However, all of us resist choosing the easiest path and insist on choosing the most difficult.
That’s why life feels so tiring.
October 4, 2022
Ask Yourself
Who am I?
What am I doing?
Where am I going?
We need to ponder these three questions. Life feels painful because we live aimlessly, like a leaf tossed around by wind.
You marry someone because you couldn’t live without that person, but then you divorce that same person because now you can’t live with them. Later, you regret your decision to divorce because you can’t find anyone better than your ex-spouse.
Who am I?
What am I doing?
Where am I going?
We need to ponder these three questions. Life feels painful because we live aimlessly, like a leaf tossed around by wind.
You marry someone because you couldn’t live without that person, but then you divorce that same person because now you can’t live with them. Later, you regret your decision to divorce because you can’t find anyone better than your ex-spouse.
October 5, 2022
Ask Yourself (continued)
You work so hard to get an offer from a company you really want to work for and then submit your resignation because you can’t stand working there anymore.
You try so hard to conceive a baby and then you claim your child is the source of all your suffering.
Your suffering originates from not knowing who you are, where you are going and what you are doing.
So, take a pause from time to time and ask yourself who you are, where you are going and what you are doing.
You work so hard to get an offer from a company you really want to work for and then submit your resignation because you can’t stand working there anymore.
You try so hard to conceive a baby and then you claim your child is the source of all your suffering.
Your suffering originates from not knowing who you are, where you are going and what you are doing.
So, take a pause from time to time and ask yourself who you are, where you are going and what you are doing.
October 6, 2022
The Goal of Meditation
Emotions automatically rise from our judgements about whether something is right or wrong. These judgments are a result of our accumulated habits.
The goal of meditation is to free yourself from the impact of your emotions by recognizing the very early signs of the sensations that signal emotions are about to rise.
This is not about suppressing emotions and repressing their expression, but about allowing emotions to dissipate on their own by recognizing their onset.
Emotions automatically rise from our judgements about whether something is right or wrong. These judgments are a result of our accumulated habits.
The goal of meditation is to free yourself from the impact of your emotions by recognizing the very early signs of the sensations that signal emotions are about to rise.
This is not about suppressing emotions and repressing their expression, but about allowing emotions to dissipate on their own by recognizing their onset.
October 7, 2022
It’s a Matter of Choice
In life, there is no good or bad. Everything in life is simply a choice.
For example, people look up to monks because they live a life of celibacy, but they made the choice to live such a life.
In life nothing is better or worse than anything else. Whatever decision you make, own it and take full responsibility for it.
A choice and its result go hand in hand. If you borrow money, you need to pay it back. If you don’t want to pay the money back, then you shouldn’t borrow it in the first place.
In life, there is no good or bad. Everything in life is simply a choice.
For example, people look up to monks because they live a life of celibacy, but they made the choice to live such a life.
In life nothing is better or worse than anything else. Whatever decision you make, own it and take full responsibility for it.
A choice and its result go hand in hand. If you borrow money, you need to pay it back. If you don’t want to pay the money back, then you shouldn’t borrow it in the first place.
October 8, 2022
What Can I Do to Live a Happier and Freer Life?
If you know you have committed a wrong, you should repent. Most people aren’t even aware they’ve done anything wrong, or their ego refuses to let them repent even if they are aware of their actions.
If you know you have made a mistake, correct it. If you aren’t aware you’ve made a mistake, it’s ignorance, and if you don’t correct that mistake when you are aware of it, it’s foolishness.
If you know you have committed a wrong, you should repent. Most people aren’t even aware they’ve done anything wrong, or their ego refuses to let them repent even if they are aware of their actions.
If you know you have made a mistake, correct it. If you aren’t aware you’ve made a mistake, it’s ignorance, and if you don’t correct that mistake when you are aware of it, it’s foolishness.
October 9, 2022
What Can I Do to Live a Happier and Freer Life? (continued)
If you don’t know something, find out about it by asking others. The real problem is that we pretend we know what we don’t know. Life gets harder or doesn’t get better when we claim we know something we don’t or claim something is right when it’s not.
If you simply acknowledge when you don’t know something, you’ve done something wrong or made a mistake, life becomes lighter and freer.
If you don’t know something, find out about it by asking others. The real problem is that we pretend we know what we don’t know. Life gets harder or doesn’t get better when we claim we know something we don’t or claim something is right when it’s not.
If you simply acknowledge when you don’t know something, you’ve done something wrong or made a mistake, life becomes lighter and freer.
October 10, 2022
What Is Nirvana?
The Buddha said that feeling excited and feeling down always work as a pair.
Suffering and pleasure repeat themselves in a cycle that we will be stuck in forever unless we stop pursuing pleasure as happiness.
What type of happiness doesn’t turn into suffering? For lasting happiness, you must see and accept that happiness does not result from excitement or pleasure but is a product of a tranquil mind. Tranquility of mind will rid you of feelings of excitement, but it will also free you from feeling down. This is called nirvana.
The Buddha said that feeling excited and feeling down always work as a pair.
Suffering and pleasure repeat themselves in a cycle that we will be stuck in forever unless we stop pursuing pleasure as happiness.
What type of happiness doesn’t turn into suffering? For lasting happiness, you must see and accept that happiness does not result from excitement or pleasure but is a product of a tranquil mind. Tranquility of mind will rid you of feelings of excitement, but it will also free you from feeling down. This is called nirvana.
October 11, 2022
Now, Here and Me
There are good dreams and bad dreams, but when you wake up, they are just dreams.
If you wake up from a sweet dream, you feel disappointed that it ended, but if you wake up from a nightmare, you feel relieved. Holding onto your good or bad memories and missing the good old days or continuing to hurt from your past wounds is the same as wandering in your dreams.
Most people suffer from dwelling on their past or feeling anxious when they think about the future. People who are captivated by memories or worried about the future all live in their dreams.
There are good dreams and bad dreams, but when you wake up, they are just dreams.
If you wake up from a sweet dream, you feel disappointed that it ended, but if you wake up from a nightmare, you feel relieved. Holding onto your good or bad memories and missing the good old days or continuing to hurt from your past wounds is the same as wandering in your dreams.
Most people suffer from dwelling on their past or feeling anxious when they think about the future. People who are captivated by memories or worried about the future all live in their dreams.
October 12, 2022
Now, Here and Me (continued)
When you find yourself suffering from regrets or anxieties, recognize that you are once again dreaming and wake yourself up.
If you stop focusing on the now, your mind will be flooded with distractions, but if you focus on the here and now, there is nothing that can make you suffer.
The path to freedom is to be awake to the now, not the future or past; to here, not anywhere else; and to yourself, not anyone else.
When you find yourself suffering from regrets or anxieties, recognize that you are once again dreaming and wake yourself up.
If you stop focusing on the now, your mind will be flooded with distractions, but if you focus on the here and now, there is nothing that can make you suffer.
The path to freedom is to be awake to the now, not the future or past; to here, not anywhere else; and to yourself, not anyone else.
October 13, 2022
How to Uproot Anger
The fundamental way to rid yourself of anger is to acknowledge that people are different from you. This means accepting that you are right from your perspective and that the other person is right from their perspective.
If you are awake to this truth, anger won’t arise. However, if you lose sight of this for only a moment and get caught up in the idea that you are right and the other person is wrong, anger will automatically arise.
When anger does arise, accept that you got caught up in your belief that you are right. This will subdue your anger, and it will not become amplified.
The fundamental way to rid yourself of anger is to acknowledge that people are different from you. This means accepting that you are right from your perspective and that the other person is right from their perspective.
If you are awake to this truth, anger won’t arise. However, if you lose sight of this for only a moment and get caught up in the idea that you are right and the other person is wrong, anger will automatically arise.
When anger does arise, accept that you got caught up in your belief that you are right. This will subdue your anger, and it will not become amplified.
October 14, 2022
Practicing Empathy Is a Way to Love Yourself.
When you practice empathy for others, who ends up feeling peaceful? You do.
Who ends up frustrated when you stand in judgment of other people’s behavior? You do. And that results in loss to you.
When you have empathy for others, it’s your heart that moves to a peaceful place. Practicing empathy is a way to love yourself.
When you practice empathy for others, who ends up feeling peaceful? You do.
Who ends up frustrated when you stand in judgment of other people’s behavior? You do. And that results in loss to you.
When you have empathy for others, it’s your heart that moves to a peaceful place. Practicing empathy is a way to love yourself.
October 15, 2022
Only Love Without Any Expectations
Ignorant people suffer because they want to be loved instead of loving.
Although sensible people love first, they suffer because they expect their love to be returned.
Even if you love someone, that person may not love you back. That can leave a bitter feeling. That’s why some say love is a seed for hatred, a hatred that sprouts not because you love someone but because you expect to be loved.
Ignorant people suffer because they want to be loved instead of loving.
Although sensible people love first, they suffer because they expect their love to be returned.
Even if you love someone, that person may not love you back. That can leave a bitter feeling. That’s why some say love is a seed for hatred, a hatred that sprouts not because you love someone but because you expect to be loved.
October 16, 2022
Only Love Without Any Expectations (continued)
When you love someone, love without expecting anything in return.
When you watch the ocean, you feel happy not because the ocean loves you back but because you love the ocean.
Love someone without expecting anything in return just like you love the ocean or a mountain.
When you love someone, love without expecting anything in return.
When you watch the ocean, you feel happy not because the ocean loves you back but because you love the ocean.
Love someone without expecting anything in return just like you love the ocean or a mountain.
October 17, 2022
Life Is Like Embroidery
Your experience in every moment becomes a part of your life. Whether you embroider a flower or a leaf, it is just one stitch at a time to the person doing the embroidery.
No matter what you are experiencing at this very moment, it is a part of your precious life. Not a single second of life is a waste. No matter how repetitive it may look, nothing is ever the same. This is the same as embroidering several flowers. Each one is different.
Every moment is a new beginning.
Your experience in every moment becomes a part of your life. Whether you embroider a flower or a leaf, it is just one stitch at a time to the person doing the embroidery.
No matter what you are experiencing at this very moment, it is a part of your precious life. Not a single second of life is a waste. No matter how repetitive it may look, nothing is ever the same. This is the same as embroidering several flowers. Each one is different.
Every moment is a new beginning.
October 18, 2022
How to Bring Change into Your Life
Self-change is not about gaining power or increasing one’s abilities. It’s about leading a life free of stress, sadness, loneliness, frustration and irritation.
While not easy, it is possible. In order to bring change into your life, you must, first and foremost, put your heart into it. You can’t bring change to your life by mimicking someone else.
Second is persistence. For example, a basketball player practices throwing the ball through a hoop and doesn’t stop practicing when he makes a basket. Whether or not he can make a basket, he just keeps practicing. That’s practice.
If you practice in the same way, you will bring about a change. It is the same for meditation. When you meditate, if you notice your breath, you will keep focusing on it. You will keep focusing on it even If you miss a breath. Whether or not you are able to focus, you just keep on practicing focusing on your breath.
Self-change is not about gaining power or increasing one’s abilities. It’s about leading a life free of stress, sadness, loneliness, frustration and irritation.
While not easy, it is possible. In order to bring change into your life, you must, first and foremost, put your heart into it. You can’t bring change to your life by mimicking someone else.
Second is persistence. For example, a basketball player practices throwing the ball through a hoop and doesn’t stop practicing when he makes a basket. Whether or not he can make a basket, he just keeps practicing. That’s practice.
If you practice in the same way, you will bring about a change. It is the same for meditation. When you meditate, if you notice your breath, you will keep focusing on it. You will keep focusing on it even If you miss a breath. Whether or not you are able to focus, you just keep on practicing focusing on your breath.
October 19, 2022
The Happiness That No One Can Take Away
The happiness that no one can take away can’t be obtained through material things or things with a superficial appeal. It can only be obtained through the richness of a mind that doesn’t envy anyone.
The happiness that no one can take away can’t be obtained through material things or things with a superficial appeal. It can only be obtained through the richness of a mind that doesn’t envy anyone.
October 20, 2022
I Feel so Guilty Killing Insects When I Farm
Our lives are built on the death of other living beings. This should make us feel humble.
When you keep this in mind, it’s difficult to become arrogant, but it also doesn’t mean you should feel guilty about it.
Take it as an opportunity to be humbler about your own life. Some people try not to kill an insect inside their home, but then turn around and yell at their spouse or harbor hatred toward family members. Some refuse to use pesticides to avoid killing any insects but believe some people should be destroyed because they don’t share the same beliefs or ideology. These are common contradictions.
Our lives are built on the death of other living beings. This should make us feel humble.
When you keep this in mind, it’s difficult to become arrogant, but it also doesn’t mean you should feel guilty about it.
Take it as an opportunity to be humbler about your own life. Some people try not to kill an insect inside their home, but then turn around and yell at their spouse or harbor hatred toward family members. Some refuse to use pesticides to avoid killing any insects but believe some people should be destroyed because they don’t share the same beliefs or ideology. These are common contradictions.
October 21, 2022
I Feel so Guilty Killing Insects When I Farm (continued)
It is better not to kill even the smallest being, but even more important is not harboring any hatred towards others.
Killing any living being cannot be justified. With our lives built on the sacrifices of others, we should use our energy to help others, not hurt them.
It is better not to kill even the smallest being, but even more important is not harboring any hatred towards others.
Killing any living being cannot be justified. With our lives built on the sacrifices of others, we should use our energy to help others, not hurt them.
October 22, 2022
Recognize You Are Already Happy
People often use the phrase, “In the pursuit of happiness,” but happiness cannot be pursued. Rather, it is recognizing that we are already happy. Becoming absorbed in our own thoughts causes us to suffer.
Once you realize that whatever made you suffer was nothing but an illusion, your suffering will disappear, and you enter the state of happiness called nirvana.
People often use the phrase, “In the pursuit of happiness,” but happiness cannot be pursued. Rather, it is recognizing that we are already happy. Becoming absorbed in our own thoughts causes us to suffer.
Once you realize that whatever made you suffer was nothing but an illusion, your suffering will disappear, and you enter the state of happiness called nirvana.
October 23, 2022
No One Can Change Others
We often encounter people who rub us the wrong way.
If you examine the other person carefully, you will discover that they are not trying to make you angry, but simply behaving according to their own habits of mind. However, we interpret their behavior in our way, and, thus, as a result get irritated or angry with them.
If that happens, you need to reflect on how caught up you were in your own thoughts and that you became irritated because things didn’t go the way you wanted them to.
If you repeat this reflection as needed, you will become less irritated and, eventually, experience more peace of mind.
It is fruitless to try to change other people when it is so difficult to change yourself. It is your loss if you become frustrated when someone else doesn’t change.
We often encounter people who rub us the wrong way.
If you examine the other person carefully, you will discover that they are not trying to make you angry, but simply behaving according to their own habits of mind. However, we interpret their behavior in our way, and, thus, as a result get irritated or angry with them.
If that happens, you need to reflect on how caught up you were in your own thoughts and that you became irritated because things didn’t go the way you wanted them to.
If you repeat this reflection as needed, you will become less irritated and, eventually, experience more peace of mind.
It is fruitless to try to change other people when it is so difficult to change yourself. It is your loss if you become frustrated when someone else doesn’t change.
October 24, 2022
How to Make Changes in Life
Don’t let your emotions bounce around, depending on whether or not a certain change has happened in your life. Life changes require numerous small steps taken over a long period of time. If you have not experienced the intended change, it simply means there are steps that still need to be taken.
It's more important to focus on taking small steps every day than obsessing on the ultimate result. Thinking too much about the end goal is an expression of your desire. Simply focus on each step.
Don’t let your emotions bounce around, depending on whether or not a certain change has happened in your life. Life changes require numerous small steps taken over a long period of time. If you have not experienced the intended change, it simply means there are steps that still need to be taken.
It's more important to focus on taking small steps every day than obsessing on the ultimate result. Thinking too much about the end goal is an expression of your desire. Simply focus on each step.
October 25, 2022
The Essence of Effective Communication
The key to effective communication is listening, not talking. For example, when we say a leader is a good communicator, we don’t mean that people follow whatever the leader tells them to do. Such a person is called a dictator, not a leader. When leaders listen to their people, we call them effective communicators.
The key to effective communication is listening, not talking. For example, when we say a leader is a good communicator, we don’t mean that people follow whatever the leader tells them to do. Such a person is called a dictator, not a leader. When leaders listen to their people, we call them effective communicators.
October 26, 2022
The Essence of Effective Communication (continued)
Listening is the most important factor in effective communication. The second is expressing your opinion clearly but without insisting on it. This requires you to let go of your expectation that others have to accept your opinion. Instead, simply offer your suggestion or position. This is not an easy thing to do, so we need to be persistent in practicing.
Listening is the most important factor in effective communication. The second is expressing your opinion clearly but without insisting on it. This requires you to let go of your expectation that others have to accept your opinion. Instead, simply offer your suggestion or position. This is not an easy thing to do, so we need to be persistent in practicing.
October 27, 2022
What Do We Gain from Performing Good Deeds?
When we engage in a good deed hoping to be recognized, we eventually lose interest and stop doing it if we don’t get recognized.
However, helping others is actually the best way to love yourself. Why? Because when we help others, we experience a feeling of worthiness and satisfaction.
If you fully understand that performing good deeds is not for others but is actually for yourself, you can continue the work whether or not you are recognized
When we engage in a good deed hoping to be recognized, we eventually lose interest and stop doing it if we don’t get recognized.
However, helping others is actually the best way to love yourself. Why? Because when we help others, we experience a feeling of worthiness and satisfaction.
If you fully understand that performing good deeds is not for others but is actually for yourself, you can continue the work whether or not you are recognized
October 28, 2022
How to Let Go of Attachments
Deciding to let go of your attachment doesn’t actually allow you to let go of it.
There is, however, an easy way to let go of attachment. You simply need to see things as they are. This concept is called “emptiness” or “no self”
When you realize that what you are holding onto is nothing more than an illusion, your attachment will automatically disappear. Letting go does not take practice. You just have to be able to see through the essence of everything.
Deciding to let go of your attachment doesn’t actually allow you to let go of it.
There is, however, an easy way to let go of attachment. You simply need to see things as they are. This concept is called “emptiness” or “no self”
When you realize that what you are holding onto is nothing more than an illusion, your attachment will automatically disappear. Letting go does not take practice. You just have to be able to see through the essence of everything.
October 29, 2022
How to Let Go of Attachments (continued)
For example, let’s say there is delicious but unhealthy food sitting in front of you. Although you know it’s bad for your health, deep down you don’t think that eating a little will hurt you. Yet, if someone tells you that same food is poisonous, your desire to eat it will immediately disappear. If you see someone die after eating it, you will become forever detached from it. What it takes to let go of an attachment is experiencing the truth in your heart.
For example, let’s say there is delicious but unhealthy food sitting in front of you. Although you know it’s bad for your health, deep down you don’t think that eating a little will hurt you. Yet, if someone tells you that same food is poisonous, your desire to eat it will immediately disappear. If you see someone die after eating it, you will become forever detached from it. What it takes to let go of an attachment is experiencing the truth in your heart.
October 30, 2022
Nirvana Is Not About Gaining Pleasure; It’s About Extinguishing Suffering.
In almost every way, we possess more now than when we were younger. But are we happier? Not really. That’s because as we accumulate more material wealth, we also accumulate more suffering.
The goal of meditation is to rid ourselves of the suffering we have accumulated over time as well as to prevent us from accumulating even more suffering.
Nirvana is not about gaining pleasure; it is about extinguishing suffering.
In almost every way, we possess more now than when we were younger. But are we happier? Not really. That’s because as we accumulate more material wealth, we also accumulate more suffering.
The goal of meditation is to rid ourselves of the suffering we have accumulated over time as well as to prevent us from accumulating even more suffering.
Nirvana is not about gaining pleasure; it is about extinguishing suffering.
October 31, 2022
True Freedom
The Buddha said that true freedom doesn’t come from doing whatever you want, but comes from one's ability to not be influenced by what one wants or doesn’t want.
The path to true freedom lies in freeing yourself from desire. The root of desire is karma, one’s habits of mind. You will enjoy true freedom when you are freed from your own habits of mind.
The Buddha said that true freedom doesn’t come from doing whatever you want, but comes from one's ability to not be influenced by what one wants or doesn’t want.
The path to true freedom lies in freeing yourself from desire. The root of desire is karma, one’s habits of mind. You will enjoy true freedom when you are freed from your own habits of mind.
November 1, 2022
I Have a Crush on Someone.
When you have a crush on someone, don’t think too much about it, just follow your heart.
If you ask someone out but the person refuses, simply respond with an okay and move on. If you view it as a rejection, your feelings will be hurt. Instead, view it as an outcome of your offer. It’s no different from your liking coffee when the other person doesn’t.
Don’t be afraid of trying to initiate a relationship. Life is about learning from both our failures and successes at creating them.
When you have a crush on someone, don’t think too much about it, just follow your heart.
If you ask someone out but the person refuses, simply respond with an okay and move on. If you view it as a rejection, your feelings will be hurt. Instead, view it as an outcome of your offer. It’s no different from your liking coffee when the other person doesn’t.
Don’t be afraid of trying to initiate a relationship. Life is about learning from both our failures and successes at creating them.
November 2, 2022
How to Be Happy
Generating the mind to give is the way to be happy.
If you want to be happy, be a person who loves rather than a person who is loved. Be a person who understands rather than a person who is understood. Be a person who helps rather than a person who is helped. Be a person who takes care of others rather than a person who is taken care of. That is the way to attain unshakable happiness.
Generating the mind to give is the way to be happy.
If you want to be happy, be a person who loves rather than a person who is loved. Be a person who understands rather than a person who is understood. Be a person who helps rather than a person who is helped. Be a person who takes care of others rather than a person who is taken care of. That is the way to attain unshakable happiness.
November 3, 2022
Our Behaviors Are Influenced by Our Emotions
Our behaviors are influenced by our emotions. When we are in a good mood, everything seems fine. When we are in a bad mood, everything appears wrong.
The problem is our mood isn’t based on anything real. It is nothing more than the outcome of the internal software programmed in us which is our karma.
Our behaviors are influenced by our emotions. When we are in a good mood, everything seems fine. When we are in a bad mood, everything appears wrong.
The problem is our mood isn’t based on anything real. It is nothing more than the outcome of the internal software programmed in us which is our karma.
November 4, 2022
Our Behaviors Are Influenced by Our Emotions (continued)
This is why you shouldn’t blindly follow your mood. That doesn't mean you shouldn't feel good or bad about something. It simply means you shouldn't let your emotion dictate your behavior.
When we cultivate a tranquil mind, it becomes easy to discern if our emotional behavior will result in benefits or losses. Viewing our emotions with equanimity will prevent later regrets.
This is why you shouldn’t blindly follow your mood. That doesn't mean you shouldn't feel good or bad about something. It simply means you shouldn't let your emotion dictate your behavior.
When we cultivate a tranquil mind, it becomes easy to discern if our emotional behavior will result in benefits or losses. Viewing our emotions with equanimity will prevent later regrets.
November 5, 2022
When You Are Suffering from Feelings of Loneliness
When you are suffering from feelings of loneliness or emptiness that is a good time to take a look at yourself.
You may notice that you are trying to fill the void inside you with something external.
If you let go of the desire to fill the void, the feeling of emptiness will disappear.
When you are suffering from feelings of loneliness or emptiness that is a good time to take a look at yourself.
You may notice that you are trying to fill the void inside you with something external.
If you let go of the desire to fill the void, the feeling of emptiness will disappear.
November 6, 2022
Greed
Greed is not just hoping for something too big and impossible. It is also greed wanting to have two contradictory things.
Greed is when you want to achieve something without working for it.
If you want to be blessed, you must accumulate merits.
If you don’t want to be punished, you must avoid committing wrongs.
Greed arises when you commit a wrong, but don’t want to be punished for it.
We suffer when we desire something that doesn't make sense.
If you live according to the principles of life, your life will be free, and you won’t suffer from greed.
Greed is not just hoping for something too big and impossible. It is also greed wanting to have two contradictory things.
Greed is when you want to achieve something without working for it.
If you want to be blessed, you must accumulate merits.
If you don’t want to be punished, you must avoid committing wrongs.
Greed arises when you commit a wrong, but don’t want to be punished for it.
We suffer when we desire something that doesn't make sense.
If you live according to the principles of life, your life will be free, and you won’t suffer from greed.
November 7, 2022
How Do You Control Your Greed?
All you have to do is to weigh the costs and benefits of an action. If the cost outweighs the benefits, don’t do it.
For example, will it bring a student benefits or loss if he studies?
If a student thinks studying doesn’t benefit him, there is no problem if he doesn’t study. If you want to overeat, eat as much as you want but accept the fact you will gain weight. If you don’t want to gain weight, don't overeat.
All you have to do is to weigh the costs and benefits of an action. If the cost outweighs the benefits, don’t do it.
For example, will it bring a student benefits or loss if he studies?
If a student thinks studying doesn’t benefit him, there is no problem if he doesn’t study. If you want to overeat, eat as much as you want but accept the fact you will gain weight. If you don’t want to gain weight, don't overeat.
November 8, 2022
How Do You Control Your Greed? (continued)
There is no special way to get rid of greed. If you look at the concept of cost versus benefit in the grand scheme of things, self-control becomes unnecessary. It will be easy for you to stop a behavior that will bring about negative consequences. All you need to do is to think about what will benefit you in the end.
There is no special way to get rid of greed. If you look at the concept of cost versus benefit in the grand scheme of things, self-control becomes unnecessary. It will be easy for you to stop a behavior that will bring about negative consequences. All you need to do is to think about what will benefit you in the end.
November 9, 2022
World Peace
You don’t have to give up self-interest to achieve peace.
Every one of us is self-centered.
Just as I am self-centered, understand that others are also.
Peace sprouts from the acceptance of that truth.
You don’t have to give up self-interest to achieve peace.
Every one of us is self-centered.
Just as I am self-centered, understand that others are also.
Peace sprouts from the acceptance of that truth.
November 10, 2022
Love for a Child
The way you love your child should change as they grow.
Until they are three, they need tender loving care. In childhood they need you to set a good example by creating a loving and harmonious family. In puberty, give your child space and allow them to learn from their failures.
Once your child is over 18, you should not support or interfere with his or her life.
That’s love.
The way you love your child should change as they grow.
Until they are three, they need tender loving care. In childhood they need you to set a good example by creating a loving and harmonious family. In puberty, give your child space and allow them to learn from their failures.
Once your child is over 18, you should not support or interfere with his or her life.
That’s love.
November 11, 2022
The Essence of Buddha’s Teachings
The Buddha never talked about an afterlife or how to become wealthy. The essence of the Buddha's teachings is being awake to the here and now.
Practicing his teachings is all about embracing one’s life and being able to adjust ourselves to any circumstances while maintaining our equanimity.
The Buddha never talked about an afterlife or how to become wealthy. The essence of the Buddha's teachings is being awake to the here and now.
Practicing his teachings is all about embracing one’s life and being able to adjust ourselves to any circumstances while maintaining our equanimity.
November 12, 2022
The Greatest Blessing
If we give without expecting anything in return, we wouldn’t feel sorry or annoyed no matter what the result is.
Having nothing to be upset about is the greatest blessing.
If we give without expecting anything in return, we wouldn’t feel sorry or annoyed no matter what the result is.
Having nothing to be upset about is the greatest blessing.
November 13, 2022
How to Build Positive Self-Esteem
If you have low self-esteem, it is not because you are less worthy than others but because you overestimate your abilities.
Positive self-esteem doesn’t come from superior abilities but from an absence of a false self-image, one that only exists in your mind.
The truth is that you are fine just the way you are.
If you have low self-esteem, it is not because you are less worthy than others but because you overestimate your abilities.
Positive self-esteem doesn’t come from superior abilities but from an absence of a false self-image, one that only exists in your mind.
The truth is that you are fine just the way you are.
November 14, 2022
Love Is the Cause of Happiness
When you look at a flower and think it's beautiful, who is happy? You or the flower?
If you think a flower is ugly and are bothered by it, who is irritated? You or the flower?
In the same way, if you love the people around you, who is happy?
Love isn’t the result of happiness; it is the cause of it.
When you look at a flower and think it's beautiful, who is happy? You or the flower?
If you think a flower is ugly and are bothered by it, who is irritated? You or the flower?
In the same way, if you love the people around you, who is happy?
Love isn’t the result of happiness; it is the cause of it.
November 15, 2022
The Difference Between Obsession and Focus
Obsession and concentration are similar. Both are states where a person’s mind is immersed in one thing. While an obsessed mind has no awareness, a concentrated mind has a clear awareness. When your mind obsesses about something, you remain totally unaware of the resulting negative impact. In a state of concentration, you can clearly see the consequences of your actions.
An obsessed mind finds it difficult to stop because it has no self-awareness. The mind that is in a state of concentration can easily pause whenever it becomes necessary. When things don’t go as intended, the obsessed mind is easily led to suffering through anger or frustration. The mind that concentrates is free from suffering.
Obsession and concentration are similar. Both are states where a person’s mind is immersed in one thing. While an obsessed mind has no awareness, a concentrated mind has a clear awareness. When your mind obsesses about something, you remain totally unaware of the resulting negative impact. In a state of concentration, you can clearly see the consequences of your actions.
An obsessed mind finds it difficult to stop because it has no self-awareness. The mind that is in a state of concentration can easily pause whenever it becomes necessary. When things don’t go as intended, the obsessed mind is easily led to suffering through anger or frustration. The mind that concentrates is free from suffering.
November 16, 2022
How to Deal with Anxiety
To get rid of anxiety, you simply need to do whatever is provoking your anxiety.
Just do it when you want to do it or when you don’t want to do it.
Just do it when it is hard to do it or scary to do it.
For example, the thought “I don’t want to wake up” is just a thought that occurs before you get up. That thought immediately disappears once you actually get up
To get rid of anxiety, you simply need to do whatever is provoking your anxiety.
Just do it when you want to do it or when you don’t want to do it.
Just do it when it is hard to do it or scary to do it.
For example, the thought “I don’t want to wake up” is just a thought that occurs before you get up. That thought immediately disappears once you actually get up
November 17, 2022
Live Happily
Trees grow and provide shade to others simply by living their lives.
Trees do not create shade so others can rest in it.
Like trees, if we live happily in our own way, it will, in and of itself, bring benefits to others.
Leading a happy and fulfilling life is a path that helps not just yourself but those around you.
Trees grow and provide shade to others simply by living their lives.
Trees do not create shade so others can rest in it.
Like trees, if we live happily in our own way, it will, in and of itself, bring benefits to others.
Leading a happy and fulfilling life is a path that helps not just yourself but those around you.
November 18, 2022
True Freedom
If you become upset because it rains on your picnic, is it the rain’s problem or yours?
Even though it is the last thing you want to happen, loved ones die, you fail a test, your child gets into trouble or someone you trust betrays you.
Like the sun rises and the moon sets, such things occur. Blaming the rain or others will only increase your suffering.
Rather than hoping that such events don’t happen to you, live without suffering no matter what happens.
That’s true freedom.
If you become upset because it rains on your picnic, is it the rain’s problem or yours?
Even though it is the last thing you want to happen, loved ones die, you fail a test, your child gets into trouble or someone you trust betrays you.
Like the sun rises and the moon sets, such things occur. Blaming the rain or others will only increase your suffering.
Rather than hoping that such events don’t happen to you, live without suffering no matter what happens.
That’s true freedom.
November 19, 2022
What Matters in Life
Whether you are married or single, are successful or not, such things are not important.
What is important in life is having a heart that is content and unwavering no matter the circumstances.
Whether you are married or single, are successful or not, such things are not important.
What is important in life is having a heart that is content and unwavering no matter the circumstances.
November 20, 2022
A Happy Person
If you intentionally live with less,
it’s called frugality.
If you are forced to live with less,
it’s called poverty.
If you intentionally humble yourself,
it’s called humility.
If you are forced to humble yourself,
it’s called servility.
If you intentionally live with less,
it’s called frugality.
If you are forced to live with less,
it’s called poverty.
If you intentionally humble yourself,
it’s called humility.
If you are forced to humble yourself,
it’s called servility.
November 21, 2022
A Happy Person (continued)
If you intentionally give your possessions to others,
it’s called donating.
If you are forced to give up your possessions,
it’s called extortion.
The results of the same act are completely different depending on whether or not the act is voluntary.
A person who is frugal, humble and gives without expectations is a happy person.
If you intentionally give your possessions to others,
it’s called donating.
If you are forced to give up your possessions,
it’s called extortion.
The results of the same act are completely different depending on whether or not the act is voluntary.
A person who is frugal, humble and gives without expectations is a happy person.
November 22, 2022
Loneliness
When we feel lonely, we often look for someone we can depend on. When you depend on someone to satisfy your needs, you will expect more and more from them. You cannot obtain happiness if you depend on others to satisfy your needs. You need to feel complete whether you are with someone or on your own.
Face your loneliness and try to deal with it on your own.
When we feel lonely, we often look for someone we can depend on. When you depend on someone to satisfy your needs, you will expect more and more from them. You cannot obtain happiness if you depend on others to satisfy your needs. You need to feel complete whether you are with someone or on your own.
Face your loneliness and try to deal with it on your own.
November 23, 2022
Loneliness (continued)
Loneliness is a symptom of a closed heart, not physical isolation. You will feel lonely if your heart is closed, even if there is someone standing right next to you.
Open your heart and face your feelings of loneliness without depending on anyone. When you do, you will no longer look for someone else to fill the hole in your heart.
Loneliness is a symptom of a closed heart, not physical isolation. You will feel lonely if your heart is closed, even if there is someone standing right next to you.
Open your heart and face your feelings of loneliness without depending on anyone. When you do, you will no longer look for someone else to fill the hole in your heart.
November 24, 2022
Winning an Argument
Have you ever been frustrated because you couldn’t think of a better way to respond to someone who quarreled with you? That frustration means you wanted to defeat that person.
If you try to defeat someone, you will end up hurting them.
If you are hurt, you can heal yourself by realizing your own foolishness. If you hurt someone else, your repentance won’t always heal their broken heart.
Have you ever been frustrated because you couldn’t think of a better way to respond to someone who quarreled with you? That frustration means you wanted to defeat that person.
If you try to defeat someone, you will end up hurting them.
If you are hurt, you can heal yourself by realizing your own foolishness. If you hurt someone else, your repentance won’t always heal their broken heart.
November 25, 2022
Winning an Argument (continued)
Can you have peace of mind after you hurt someone’s feelings? Don’t enjoy defeating someone in an argument. You may have a momentary surge of elation, but your actions can deeply hurt both you and the other person.
Can you have peace of mind after you hurt someone’s feelings? Don’t enjoy defeating someone in an argument. You may have a momentary surge of elation, but your actions can deeply hurt both you and the other person.
November 26, 2022
How to Work with People You Dislike
You are visiting someone’s garden and notice a flower you dislike. If it was your garden, you could pluck the flower and throw it away. However, you can’t do that because it’s someone else’s garden. What you can do in that situation is let go of your opinion.
You are visiting someone’s garden and notice a flower you dislike. If it was your garden, you could pluck the flower and throw it away. However, you can’t do that because it’s someone else’s garden. What you can do in that situation is let go of your opinion.
November 27, 2022
How to Work with People You Dislike (continued)
The workplace works the same way. Even if there are many positive aspects to your job, if you’re having problems with a coworker or your boss, suffering will arise. This is the result of becoming caught up in your own emotions. You can’t control whether you like or dislike someone, but you can refuse to let those emotions control you.
You don’t need to get close to or to avoid the person you dislike. You just need to accept them the same way you would accept the flower you don’t like in someone else’s garden.
The workplace works the same way. Even if there are many positive aspects to your job, if you’re having problems with a coworker or your boss, suffering will arise. This is the result of becoming caught up in your own emotions. You can’t control whether you like or dislike someone, but you can refuse to let those emotions control you.
You don’t need to get close to or to avoid the person you dislike. You just need to accept them the same way you would accept the flower you don’t like in someone else’s garden.
November 28, 2022
Help Your Children Feel Proud About Their Own Lives
Hoping to ensure their success in the world, parents encourage their children to adopt certain behaviors, but the children simply view this as their parents nagging them.
Be minimal in what you ask your children to do. Allow them to learn how to be independent.
If you can teach them how to live on their own and help them develop a stable mind before they are eighteen, your child will be able to live their life with a sense of pride.
Hoping to ensure their success in the world, parents encourage their children to adopt certain behaviors, but the children simply view this as their parents nagging them.
Be minimal in what you ask your children to do. Allow them to learn how to be independent.
If you can teach them how to live on their own and help them develop a stable mind before they are eighteen, your child will be able to live their life with a sense of pride.
November 29, 2022
Change Your Perspective
Everything that happens in life is multidimensional. What seems to be a negative event will have positive aspects embedded in it and what looks like a positive event will have negative aspects ingrained in it.
When we fixate on a single dimension, we blind ourselves to other aspects, leading us to experience either pleasure or suffering.
If, for just a moment, you step away from your tunnel vision and change your perspective, you will realize that nothing is permanently good or bad.
Everything that happens in life is multidimensional. What seems to be a negative event will have positive aspects embedded in it and what looks like a positive event will have negative aspects ingrained in it.
When we fixate on a single dimension, we blind ourselves to other aspects, leading us to experience either pleasure or suffering.
If, for just a moment, you step away from your tunnel vision and change your perspective, you will realize that nothing is permanently good or bad.
November 30, 2022
Reflect upon Yourself
We need to acknowledge that as human beings we get caught up in the idea of self, and, thus, we need to constantly examine ourselves.
Even though we can’t break away from our own viewpoint, at the very least, we shouldn’t insist on it.
Then, even though our eyes are not opened, we won’t scream, “Turn on the light, it is dark.”
We need to be able to distinguish why it is dark. Is it because there is no light or because our eyes are closed?
We need to acknowledge that as human beings we get caught up in the idea of self, and, thus, we need to constantly examine ourselves.
Even though we can’t break away from our own viewpoint, at the very least, we shouldn’t insist on it.
Then, even though our eyes are not opened, we won’t scream, “Turn on the light, it is dark.”
We need to be able to distinguish why it is dark. Is it because there is no light or because our eyes are closed?
December 1, 2022
Reflect upon Yourself (continued)
If it is still dark when others say the lights are on, we should be able to look at ourselves to see if our eyes are closed rather than getting angry or screaming for someone to turn on the lights.
When we are able to do that, we will be able to advance to the next level: opening our eyes.
If it is still dark when others say the lights are on, we should be able to look at ourselves to see if our eyes are closed rather than getting angry or screaming for someone to turn on the lights.
When we are able to do that, we will be able to advance to the next level: opening our eyes.
December 2, 2022
Expectations
If you have high expectations, you will never feel good enough, but if you let go of your expectations, you will feel complete as you are.
If you have high expectations, you will never feel good enough, but if you let go of your expectations, you will feel complete as you are.
December 3, 2022
Live Without Suffering
Everyday our lives are busy but maybe we should take a look at how we are living.
Is feeling busy worth it?
Is it worth getting irritated over it?
Is it worth fighting over it?
The most important thing is to live our lives without suffering.
Everyday our lives are busy but maybe we should take a look at how we are living.
Is feeling busy worth it?
Is it worth getting irritated over it?
Is it worth fighting over it?
The most important thing is to live our lives without suffering.
December 4, 2022
Path to Happiness
A couple once deeply in love, can end up hating each other. Feelings can change over time.
It is the nature of feelings to change in response to outside stimuli, so it is impossible to keep our emotions constant.
The path to happiness isn’t about keeping our feelings unchanged but about our behavior not being affected by our changing feelings.
Don’t get overly excited or disgusted even if you have strong feelings of liking or disliking.
If you are awake to the changes in your feelings, you will be able to live a tranquil life even if your emotions are in turmoil.
A couple once deeply in love, can end up hating each other. Feelings can change over time.
It is the nature of feelings to change in response to outside stimuli, so it is impossible to keep our emotions constant.
The path to happiness isn’t about keeping our feelings unchanged but about our behavior not being affected by our changing feelings.
Don’t get overly excited or disgusted even if you have strong feelings of liking or disliking.
If you are awake to the changes in your feelings, you will be able to live a tranquil life even if your emotions are in turmoil.
* The Theragatha, the eighth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, consists of 264 poems — 1,291 stanzas in all — in which the early monks (bhikkhus) recount their struggles and accomplishments along the road to arahantship. Their stories are told with often heart-breaking honesty and beauty, revealing the deeply human side of these extraordinary men, and thus serve as inspiring reminders of our own potential to follow in their footsteps. The verses to be recited during the 9th 100-Day Practice of the 10th 1000-Day Practice have been selected from the approachable translation of the Theragatha by Bhikkhu Sujato and Jessica Walton based on the Mahāsaṅgīti edition of the Pali text.
Vows of the Jungto Practitioner
Our modern civilization is facing a serious crisis. People are losing their humanity, communities are disintegrating, and the natural environment is being destroyed. We look to the teachings of the Buddha to find solutions to these problems.
We base our perspective of the world on the Law of Interdependence.
As this exists, that exists, and if this ceases to exist that will also cease to exist. This is the state of things as they are. Since everything is interdependent, your death signifies my death, and your survival means my survival. Also, your unhappiness turns into my unhappiness, and your happiness leads to my happiness. Based on this dependent origination, we pursue the path we can travel together in happiness. Just as a variety of flowers makes a garden, the diversity of people creates harmony and balance. We wish to form a new civilization in which love overcomes jealousy and envy; harmony triumphs over confrontation and competition; and peace prevails over conflict and war.
We take the Buddha and bodhisattvas as the models for our own lives.
Following in the footsteps of the Buddha, who lived an austere life with only one set of robes and one food bowl, we assume the mindset of a practitioner by eating mindfully and living frugally and diligently, unhindered by anything in the world. Furthermore, we look to the Compassionate Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara, who embraces the pain of all beings, and the Great Vows Bodhisattva, Kshitigarbba, who goes to Hell to save all beings, as our role models. Finally, we vow to be Mahayana Bodhisattvas, who save all sentient beings from suffering.
We uphold the principles of non-ego, non-possession and non-obstinacy in our practice.
With the aim of creating Jungto, we vow to surrender our egos, possessions and obstinacy to become bodhisattvas who solely cater to the needs of sentient beings. By changing our mindset, we hope to become free of attachments and suffering. Furthermore, we vow to overcome the crisis impending on our civilization by creating Jungto, a world in which individuals are happy, communities are peaceful, and the natural environment is preserved.
Objectives of the 10th 1000-Day Practice
1. We free ourselves from suffering and serve our neighbors and the world.
2. We practice, donate and volunteer online from our homes.
3. We cultivate Jungto practitioners who contribute to building Jungto.
4. We embody the “Mosaic Buddha” by engaging in Jungto group activities.
5. We offer Jungto Dharma talks in different languages in order to spread the Buddha's teachings around the world.
6. We promote happiness for all human beings by running the Happiness School programs worldwide.
7. We take actions that contribute to world peace.
8. We expand our efforts to eradicate poverty, disease, and illiteracy.
9. To preserve Earth, we practice zero-waste in our everyday lives.
10. We build a new civilization where people share and stand in solidarity with one another.
Ten Guides Along the Path
Do not wish to be free from illness.
Being free from illness makes it easy for you to be greedy. Thus, the Buddha said, “Consider illness as a medicine for the mind.”
Do not wish for a life free from hardship.
A life free from hardship only leads to arrogance and self-pampering. Thus, the Buddha said, “Embrace worry and hardship as part of life.”
Do not wish to be free from obstacles in your practice.
Without obstacles, it will be hard to advance in your practice. Thus, the Buddha said, “Attain nirvana amidst the hindrances.”
Do not hope to be free from temptation in your practice.
Without temptations, your resolve cannot become stronger. Thus, the Buddha said, “Treat temptation as a friend who helps you in your practice.”
Do not wish for an easy path.
When things work out too easily, one becomes reckless. Thus, the Buddha said, “Persevere through long periods of time to accomplish your goals.”
Do not wish to benefit from your friendships.
Seeking to benefit from your friends will damage the relationship. Thus, the Buddha said, “Preserve your friendship with pure motives.”
Do not expect others to follow your wishes.
If they do, you will become arrogant. Thus, the Buddha said, “Surround yourself with people with different opinions from yours.”
Do not expect your good deeds to be rewarded.
If you do, you will expect it to benefit you. Thus, the Buddha said, “Discard the expectation of rewards as you would throw away old shoes.”
Do not expect more than you deserve.
Undeserved profit only leads to profligacy. Thus, the Buddha said, “Accumulate wealth through modest gains.”
Do not defend your position when feeling unjustly treated.
Defending your position will only make the other person become more resentful. Hence, the Buddha said, “Regard unjust treatment as the door to entering into practice.”
The solutions to the obstacles you face will be found within them. Efforts to evade difficulties only lead to more problems. Thus, the Buddha found the path to enlightenment through the obstacles he faced. If people seeking the Truth cannot endure life’s difficulties, they cannot surmount the hurdles in their practice and attain the treasures of the Dharma. Therefore, overcoming adversity leads us toward the path to enlightenment.
The Four Great Vows
I vow to build Jungto, a land where no sentient beings suffer.
I vow to end all suffering and emotional afflictions through practice.
I vow to learn all of the Buddha's teachings.
I vow to attain Buddhahood together with all sentient beings.
10. Sharing
Recognize your state of mind
during today's practice
and write it down.
Donate
Donate more than
a dollar every day.
Volunteer
Perform at least
one good deed every day.
Write your personal practice statement.
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