Taoism

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Compassion

Published 26/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Mother Teresa in Calcutta

Compassion

“For those who may not find happiness to exercise religious faith, it’s okay to remain a radical atheist, it’s absolutely an individual right, but the important thing is with a compassionate heart — then no problem.” His Holyness the Dalai Lama

“It is lack of love for ourselves that inhibits our compassion toward others. If we make friends with ourselves, then there is no obstacle to opening our hearts and minds to others.” Unknown.

“The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands.” Arthur H Stainbach

We often think of peace as the absence of war; that if the powerful countries would reduce their arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds – our prejudices, fears, and ignorance. Even if we transported all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the reasons for bombs would still be here, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we would make new bombs. Seek to become more aware of what causes anger and separation, and what overcomes them. Root out the violence in your life, and learn to live compassionately and mindfully . Thich Nhat Hanh

In seperateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength. The Buddha.

Compassion is the virtue of empathy for the suffering of others. It is regarded as a fundamental part of human love, and a cornerstone of greater social interconnection and humanism—foundational to the highest principles in philosophy, society, and personhood.
Compassion is often regarded as emotional in nature, and there is an aspect of compassion which regards a quantitative dimension, such that individual’s compassion is often given a property of “depth,” “vigor,” or “passion.” The etymology of “compassion” is Latin, meaning “co-suffering.” More virtuous than simple empathy, compassion commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another’s suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. In ethical terms, the various expressions down the ages of the so-called Golden Rule embody by implication the principle of compassion: Do to others what you would have them do to you.
The English noun compassion, meaning to suffer together with, comes from Latin. Compassion is thus related in origin, form and meaning to the English noun patient (= one who suffers) Ranked a great virtue in numerous philosophies, compassion is considered in almost all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtues.

Dalai Lama

Buddhism
Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others; thus, it is called compassion. It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed. The Buddha.

Compassion or Karuna is at the transcendental and experiential heart of the Buddha’s teachings. He was reputedly asked by his personal attendant, Ananda, “Would it be true to say that the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is a part of our practice?” To which the Buddha replied, “No. It would not be true to say that the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is part of our practice. It would be true to say that the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is all of our practice.”
The first of what in English are called the Four Noble Truths is the truth of suffereing or dukkha (unsatisfactoriness or stress). Dukkha is identified as one of the three distinguishing charactoristics of all conditioned existence. It arises as a consequence of the failure to adapt to change or anicca (the second characteristic) and the insubstantiality, lack of fixed identity, the horrendous lack of certainty of anatta (the third characteristic) to which all this constant change in turn gives rise. Compassion made possible by observation and accurate perception is the appropriate practical response. The ultimate and earnest wish, manifest in the Buddha, both as archetype and as historical entity, is to relieve the suffering of all living beings everywhere.

His Holyness the Dalai Lama has said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” The American monk Bhikkhu Bodhi states that compassion “supplies the complement to loving kindness: whereas loving kindness has the characteristic of wishing for the happiness and welfare of others, compassion has the characteristic of wishing that others be free from suffering, a wish to be extended without limits to all living beings. Like metta, compassion arises by entering into the subjectivity of others, by sharing their interiority in a deep and total way. It springs up by considering that all beings, like ourselves, wish to be free from suffering, yet despite their wishes continue to be harassed by pain, fear, sorrow, and other forms of dukkha.”
At the same time, it is emphasised that in order to manifest effective compassion for others it is first of all necessary to be able to experience and fully appreciate one’s own suffering and to have, as a consequence, compassion for oneself. The Buddha is reported to have said, “It is possible to travel the whole world in search of one who is more worthy of compassion than oneself. No such person can be found.”
Compassion is the antidote to the self-chosen poison of anger.

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Hinduism
In the various Hindu traditions, compassion is called daya, and, along with charity and self-control, is one of the three central virtues.The importance of compassion in the Hindu traditions reaches as far back as the Vedas, sacred texts composed over a period prior to 1500 B.C. While the early Vedas sometimes glorifies war and the worship of the war god, Indra, Indra too is compassionate towards humans & humanity, though he is the war god, he is dis-compassionate towards Asuras – The evil people who cause sufferings to the human race. Later Vedas demonstrates a greater sensitivity to the values of compassion. The central concept particularly relevant to compassion in Hindu spirituality is that of ahimsa. The exact definition of ahimsa varies from one tradition to another. Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word which can be translated most directly as “refraining from harmfulness.” It is a derivation of himsa which means harmful, or having the intent to cause harm.
The prayers of Vasudeva Datta, for example, a 16th century Vaishnava holy man or sadhu, exemplify compassion within Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He prayed to the Lord Krishna asking him to “deliver all conditioned souls” because his “heart breaks to see the sufferings of all conditioned souls”.

Spiritual-Adoption_Humanity-Healing[2]

Judaism
In the Jewish tradition, God is the Compassionate and is invoked as the Father of Compassion: hence Raḥmana or Compassionate becomes the usual designation for His revealed word. (Compare, below, the frequent use of raḥman in the Quran). Sorrow and pity for one in distress, creating a desire to relieve, is a feeling ascribed alike to man and God: in Biblical Hebrew, (“riḥam,” from “reḥem,” the mother, womb), “to pity” or “to show mercy” in view of the sufferer’s helplessness, hence also “to forgive” (Hab. iii. 2);, “to forbear” (Ex. ii. 6; I Sam. xv. 3; Jer. xv. 15, xxi. 7.) The Rabbis speak of the “thirteen attributes of compassion.” The Biblical conception of compassion is the feeling of the parent for the child. Hence the prophet’s appeal in confirmation of his trust in God invokes the feeling of a mother for her offspring (Isa. xlix. 15).

A classic articulation of the Golden Rule (see above) came from the first century Rabbi Hillel the Elder. Renowned in the Jewish tradition as a sage and a scholar, he is associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud and, as such, one of the most important figures in Jewish history. Asked for a summary of the Jewish religion in the “while standing on one leg” meaning in the most concise terms, Hillel stated: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah. The rest is the explanation; go and learn.”
Many Jewish sources speak of the importance of compassion for animals. Significant rabbis who have done so include Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch,Rabbi Simhah Zissel Ziv, and Rabbi Moshe Cordovero.

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Christianity

Compassion in action: an 18th-century Italian depiction of the Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Christian Bible’s second Epistle to the Corinthians is but one place where God is spoken of as the “Father of compassion” and the “God of all comfort” It reads as follows: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. Jesus embodies for Christians, the very essence of compassion and relational care. Christ challenges Christians to forsake their own desires and to act compassionately towards others, particularly those in need or distress. Jesus assures his listeners in the Sermon on the Mount that, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” In the Parable of the Good Samaritan he holds up to his followers the ideal of compassionate conduct. True Christian compassion, say the Gospels, should extend to all, even to the extent of loving one’s enemies.

compassion[2]

Islam
In the Muslim tradition, foremost among God’s attributes are mercy and compassion or, in the canonical language of Arabic, Rahman and Rahim. Each of the 114 chapters of the Quran, with one exception, begins with the verse, “In the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful,”. The Arabic word for compassion is rahmah. As a cultural influence, its roots abound in the Quran. A good Muslim is to commence each day, each prayer and each significant action by invoking God the Merciful and Compassionate, i.e. by reciting Bism-i-llah a-Rahman-i-Rahim. The womb and family ties are characterized by compassion and named after the exalted attribute of God “Al-Rahim” (The Compassionate).
The Muslim scriptures urge compassion towards captives as well as to widows, orphans and the poor. Zakat, a toll tax to help the poor and needy, is obligatory upon all Muslims deemed wealthy enough to do so (calculated by assessing the net wealth of an adult at the end of a year)(9:60). One of the practical purposes of fasting or sawm during the month of Ramadan is to help one empathize with the hunger pangs of those less fortunate, to enhance sensitivity to the suffering of others and develop compassion for the poor and destitute. The Prophet is referred to by the Quran as the Mercy for the World (21:107); and one of the sayings of the Prophet informs the faithful that, “God is more loving and kinder than a mother to her dear child.”

Mother

Jainism
Compassion for all life, human and non-human, is central to the Jain tradition. Though all life is considered sacred, human life is deemed the highest form of earthly existence. To kill any person, no matter their crime, is considered unimaginably abhorrent. It is the only substantial religious tradition that requires both monks and laity to be vegetarian. It is suggested that certain strains of the Hindu tradition became vegetarian due to strong Jain influences. The Jain tradition’s stance on nonviolence, however, goes far beyond vegetarianism. Jains refuse food obtained with unnecessary cruelty. Many practice veganism. Jains run animal shelters all over India: Delhi has a bird hospital run by Jains; every city and town in Bundelkhand has animal shelters run by Jains. Jain monks go to lengths to avoid killing any living creature, sweeping the ground in front of them in order to avoid killing insects, and even wearing a face mask to avoid inhaling the smallest fly.

My Spiritual Journey: Part 2.

Published 24/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

My Spiritual Journey: Part 2.

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This is part 2 of my spiritual journey so far, I feel the need to talk about what has been happening to me in my life, to try and share these experiences with others In the hope that in sharing; it will bring greater clarity to me and help me focus on my journey.

I will also add this to my page ‘My Spiritual Journey so you can read through parts 1 and 2 together…I will also do my best to continue writing the updates and bring you all up to the present day, maybe two or three more parts will get us to that point in time.

I hope you enjoy?

Namaste

Mark
My Spiritual Journey Part 2.
My new found freedom was amazing and I felt so much more at ease alone in my own body and since Noriko helped me remove my ‘Hitchhikers’ I could now think for myself once again without the influence of my ‘house guests’ onboard! So what could I do with all this new found freedom? Well, I started to notice changes in me, changes I think for the better, I actually felt different, I started to smile more, my wife noticed these changes, she said I had been carrying some aggression for the past few years, maybe it was due to the pain I was carrying on behalf of my ‘hitchhikers’, and from all the accidents I had experienced; who knows!
I started to meditate more often and I felt really very different, my sense of awareness was starting to change, I became very acute to changes, I could feel absolutely everything, I mean, feel change, my senses were becoming finely tuned, a slight change of air quality and I knew about it, I would start sneezing and coughing and it would continue until the air quality changed, my throat was sore all the time and I had cold after cold, but the doctors were forever saying ‘your fine and really very healthy’!
MY sense of hearing was becoming even more acute, when meditating I could hear everything, even the sound of a mosquito in my room, the sound of distant car horns beeping, the hustle and bustle of 25 million people moving around outside my home in Shanghai (everything was highlighted, bigger than life) but yet I was at peace, totally relaxed and in the now ‘but what was I experiencing’? what were these changes I was going through?
I noticed people on the street, total strangers looking at me differently, some with vicious, maybe even slightly evil looks focused toward me! And on the other hand I was also experiencing the total opposite, ‘beaming smiles, happiness, eyes widely open and warmth sent my way’! I noticed a real difference from young children, they were looking at me differently, I mean really looking, not the look a westerner usually gets from local Chinese but a look that transcends cross cultural/ ethnicity difference, the children were really focusing on me and smiling, ‘really smiling’, also a few old people were coming up to me and touching me, and smiling, which is not normal, especially here in China where everyone usually keeps some distance.. And, when I came across anyone with a disability or some sort of injury, then; that reaction was even stronger and more obvious. At this particular juncture we lived very close to a local hospital, on two separate occasions I crossed paths with two patients who were out with their relatives for a walk, one young man I guess in his twenties had some sort of head trauma as his head was heavily bandaged, as we crossed paths, he looked straight in my eyes and his eyes opened widely and his eye contact did not divert from mine at all even when he was across the road from me, the second encounter was the same but this person was in a wheel chair, she looked ok but had some sort of drip infusion attached to her, but her smile was beaming and eye contact was extremely purposeful and very direct…I felt totally calm and very relaxed by both encounters and I felt happy too!
On the other side of this happiness and feeling of calm and security, I also experienced a more hostile/darker side…Often when I was walking on the street, I found people were walking ‘At ME’, they were not making any effort to move away or around me, just walking ‘at me’, I mean actually barging into me on the street, my wife would have no problems walking along side me but she also noticed this almost direct assault on my personal space, but why?…Was I doing something different from normal, we switched sides but so did the people walking toward me, I even started carrying a large umbrella, brightly colored and holding it horizontal so people could clearly see it, a form of barrier defense between me and other pedestrians on the street, or I would swing shopping bags whilst walking so people could see them and move slightly so as to not knock into me!…walks with my wife became a challenge and the trauma of being knocked into started to take a toll on my mind, I was becoming more aggressive as a form of self defense…what to do?, Who knew!
A friend of mine suggested I go see a clairvoyant and I found out a lady was coming over to Shanghai from Cyprus, I called and made an appointment, gave them no information just my first name. A couple of weeks later I met with the lady from Cyprus, I will call her Joyce…On entering the room she said ‘Wow’, your energy and Aura is so intense, so strong, you are an ‘Old Soul’, your vibrating at a very high frequency!..I sat down and the session began….Wow, what a ride, she did not stop for an hour, her eyes closed for the majority of time, constantly talking to her guides, my guides then stopping to provide me with information and guidance on what she was being told.. she told me all about me, my family, parents, children, wife, business, why I was on this earth, what I was here for and also took me back to three previous lives…I’m not going to go into detail but this session BLEW me away, I cried and cried like a baby, physically sobbed for a great part of the session, my life was starting to make sense to me now, all the things I have done throughout my life were very clearly linked, what I have experienced throughout my life and my reason for being here in China, all a fact and a part of my spiritual journey. Joyce provided me with a much needed clarity, she was physically drained by the intensity of our session and we were very clearly connected! WOW….Now I understand more clearly, I MUST follow my destiny, I must follow my spiritual pathway, I must try to help people, I need to use the gifts bestowed upon me to do good on this earth and truly help people along my way….This was and is an amazing experience but only a small part in what I have experiences since this session with Joyce…

Part 3 of my spiritual journey will follow ASAP.

 

Namaste

Published 19/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

“If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is: Infinite.”
~
William Blake

Namaste-20

Namaste
The Ancient Sanskrit Blessing Namaste translates as “I bow to the divine in you.”

Namaste is the Divine spark in one person recognizing the divine spark in another
The life in me sees and honors the life in you, this is an especially deep expression of respect.
Namaste recognizes the duality that exists in this world and suggests an effort to bring these two aspects back together, this will ultimately lead towards unity and non-dual state of Oneness, it recognizes the equality of all and pays honor to the sacredness of all.

The whole action of Namaste unfolds itself on four levels: spiritual, physical, mental, and verbal.

I honor the place in you where Spirit lives: the Spirit in me meets the same Spirit in you
I greet that place where you and I, we are One
I honor the place in you which is of Love and I receive the free spirit in you
I salute the place in you which is of Truth, May the life within you be strong
I receive the place in you which is of Light
Within each of us is a place where peace dwells. I recognize the place in you which is of Peace
I recognize that we are all equal
I acknowledge that everyone is valuable in their own way and capable of expanding my horizons
When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, then we are ONE
We are able to recognize the goodness of others
We can perceive the unique thread that connect us all with the Universe, and all its Beings 
as well as to the source of that interconnection
We are receptive to knowledge that comes to us in the form of example, advice, and direct teaching.

When we assume that everyone we meet is special and unique,
We awake to the wisdom that opens our eyes to new worlds of possibility
We should show all people the same generous level of understanding, kindness, care, and compassion
Without any thought of self-interest beyond paying respect wholeheartedly.

The way we live our daily lives has an enormous impact on those around us. Instead of clinging to what separates us, practicing Namaste enables us to feel less alone in the world. We begin to understand that we must treat all people for what they are: family.

As we gain consciousness of the more subtle aspects of our being,
We reweave ourselves with the light body. We are One with All That Is whether we realize it or not.

May all beings find and hold happiness. May they all be free from suffering and sickness. May we look and see all others reflecting back.

There is only One Earth. There is only One Humanity
May we all be One, One family?

NAMASTE

Mark

Sadness Beyond Belief

Published 15/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Morning has Broken and I awoke fresh and ready for another day, my soul is filled with joy and happiness and my mind clear and uncluttered…but then I read the news!

Elementary school massacre:
20 Children among 28 killed in Connecticut slaughter.

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A kindergarten teacher’s son, clad in black and carrying two 9mm pistols, rampaged through a Connecticut elementary school Friday, killing 20 small children and six adults, a tragedy President Barack Obama said had broken the hearts of America.
The gunman, identified as Adam Lanza, 20, was found dead at the scene of the slaughter, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, law enforcement officials said. The body of a woman believed to be his mother was found at their home in Newton, authorities said.
Officials initially misidentified the shooter to NBC News as Lanza’s brother, Ryan. But a senior official later said that Ryan was nowhere near the shooting, is not believed to be involved, and is cooperating with the investigation.

Ryan told police that Adam has a history of mental illness, according to the senior official. Yet the motive for the mass killing – the nation’s second-worst school shooting — was a mystery.
The weapons used in the attack were legally purchased and were registered to the gunman’s mother, two law enforcement officials said. Two 9mm handguns were recovered inside the school. An AR-15-type rifle also was found at the scene, but there were conflicting reports Friday night whether it had been used in the shooting.
Police believe Lanza fatally shot her in the face, then drove to the hilltop school where she worked and unleashed a blizzard of bullets on children and staff in two rooms before apparently taking his own life.
“Evil visited this community today,” Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said Friday evening. “We are all in this together.”

When are we going to do anything about stopping this madness?
Surely the Gun Law has to be changed!…These Guns were legally purchased!

My Simple Mind had a Christian Hymn ‘Morning has Broken’ playing joyfully- Before I read this sad news!

I send my blessings of Love, Compassion and Light to each and every person in Connecticut and to their friends and families around the world who are experiencing this horror; no words can express their feelings of loss and sadness right now.

Namaste

Mark

Morning has broken, like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing fresh from the word.

Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dew fall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning,
Born of the one light Eden saw play.
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s re-creation of the new day.

Cool the gray clouds roll, peaking the mountains,
Gull in her free flight, swooping the skies.
Praise for the mystery, misting the morning,
Behind the shadow, waiting to shine.

I am the sunrise, warming the heavens,
Spilling my warm glow over the earth.
Praise for the brightness of this new morning,
Filling my spirit with Your great love.

Mine is a turning, mine is a new life,
Mine is a journey closer to You.
Praise for the sweet glimpse, caught in a moment,
Joy breathing deeply, dancing in flight. (repeat)

Universal Responsibility

Published 14/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

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Universal Responsibility.

What do we really want to acheive in this life?

Do you want safe water for everyone to drink?

Do you want safe and healthy food for you and your children to eat?

Do you want an end to infant deaths from disease?

Do you want to be able to walk the streets and feel safe?

Are you fed up with all the suffering going on around the world?

Do you feel sick to your stomach when you see animals being persecuted and pushed out of their natural habitats in the pursuit of progress and riches for the few?

Do you want to see an end to War?

This list could go on and on….How much longer can we sit here and do nothing?…

We can make a change, a change for the better!

Our voices must be heard, we need to do our part and take ownership and responsibility as individuals to call the powers to be and make a change to this world!

What can you do today?

Namaste

Mark

What our Planet Really Needs

Published 10/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

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Love, Compassion and Happiness: Enough Said

Published 08/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

I was sitting here thinking about Love, Compassion and Happiness and what those words mean to me and these images explain  them well.

I hope you enjoy them ?

Namaste

Mark

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Dalai Lama: Inner Peace, Happiness, God and Money.

Published 04/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Stop Animal Extinction (2012 Project)

Published 04/12/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

I will do my bit…Will You?

Deepak Chopra: The Garden Of The Soul. Video

Published 27/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

 

We often forget this..My Body is the Garden of My Soul.

Namaste

Mark

The Beauty of Nature

Published 24/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Natural Life.

Take a moment to notice
The beauty of the trees.
Sit and take a look
At the dancing leaves.
Note the little child
Laughing, playing with a toy.
Always so full of energy;
Humongous amounts of joy.
Don’t crush the insects,
Who are 1/1000ths of your weight.
They may creep up your path,
But don’t decide their fate.
Life’s not about avoiding storms.
Instead, dance in the rain.
The Earth is so beautiful;
Why must we cause it’s pain?
Take time off your busy schedule
To glance at the starry night.
Because nature is genius.
So pretty, such a sight!

Miranda A.

Source: Natural Life, Beauty of Nature Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/natural-life#ixzz2D6iXFgT3
http://www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

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Random Acts of Kindness Video

Published 23/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Enjoy 🙂

Namaste

Mark

Universal Responsibility

Published 22/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. We must all learn to work not just for our own self, family, or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind.

Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources, and through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment.

The Dalai Lama

Play Again Video

Published 20/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

This worries me deeply.

Please watch this short video and pass it on to your friends.

We need to try and encourage our children to get out more, to break away (at least for short periods of time) from their addiction to technology, to on-line gaming, to fast food, to one-dimentional communications via text messaging and social networking in the place of real communication and for them to enjoy mother earth and the wonders that it brings to our lives, to feel the wind in their hair and the warmth of the sun on their skin, to hear the sounds of nature and smell the scent of the flowers and trees.

Nature is truly fantastic, it can be found or re-created everywhere, even in the smallest inner city areas, even in small window boxes on a high-rise apartment building window or balcony. We owe our existance to it and we need our children to cherish it and for them to help educate the next generation and the generations to come to also enjoy it and protect it.

Please do your best to help promote this video and all it stands for.

Namaste

Mark

Yourself

Published 19/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

You don’t need anything except yourself and your totality.

Going beyond the mind..is not dropping the mind
it is going beyond the mind..into a state of no mind.

Just accept yourself exactly how you are
and the struggle will disappear
and your energy will become a vast reservoir of love
settled and relaxed
then you can listen deeply
and trust your inner being.

Love yourself..accept yourself..be yourself
these qualities will create for the first time
an individual whose inner flame is un-dividable
a great pool of energy will gather and surround you
with this an inner trust will arise from within you.

The journey is simple
from the fragmented many..
to the individual one..to the cosmic all
live life..love life..accept life with laughter and joy
life is a pure celebration of you..a celebration of your being
being alive each moment in this dance of the universe.

Swami Rajneesh

Namaste

Mark

Gautam Buddha. The Forty Two Sutras

Published 18/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Gautam Buddha – The Forty-Two Chapter Sutra

Having attained Buddha hood, the World-honored One thought thus: 


“To be free from the passions and to be calm, this is the most excellent Way.” He was absorbed in Great Meditation, subdued all evil ones, and in Deer Park caused to revolve the Wheel of Dharma, which was the Fourfold Truth, 
 and converted the five Bhikshus, Kaudinya, etc., inducing them to attain Enlightenment. Again, there were other Bhikshus who implored the Buddha to remove their doubts, which they had concerning his doctrine. The World-honored One illumined all their minds through his authoritative teachings. The Bhikshus, joining their hands and reverentially bowing, followed his august instructions.


(1) The Buddha said: “Those who leave their parents, go out of the home, understand the mind, reach the source, and comprehend the immaterial, are called Çramana. “Those who observe the two hundred and fifty precepts of morality, who are pure and spotless in their behavior, and who exert themselves for the attainment of the four fruits of saintship, are called Arhats.
“The Arhat is able to fly through space and assume different forms; his life is eternal, and there are times when he causes heaven and earth to quake.
“Next is the Anâgâmin. At the end of his life, the spirit of the Anâgâmin ascends to the nineteenth heaven and obtains Arhatship.
“Next is the Skridâgâmin. The Skridâgâmin ascends to the heavens [after his death], comes back to the earth once more, and then attains Arhatship.
“Next is the Srotaâpanna. The Srotaâpanna dies seven times and is born seven times, when he finally attains Arhatship.
“By the severance of the passions is meant that like the limbs severed they are never again made use of.”


(2) The Buddha said: “The homeless Çramana cuts off the passions, frees himself of attachments, understands the source of his own mind, penetrates the deepest doctrine of Buddha, and comprehends the Dharma which is immaterial. He has no prejudice in his heart; he has nothing to hanker after. He is not hampered by the thought of the Way, nor is he entangled in karma. No prejudice, no compulsion, no discipline, no enlightenment, and no going up through the grades, and yet in possession of all honors in itself, –this is called the Way.”


(3) The Buddha said: “Those who shaving their heads and faces become Çramanas and who receive instruction in the Way, should surrender all worldly possessions and be contented with whatever they obtain by begging. One meal a day and one lodging under a tree, and neither should be repeated. For what makes one stupid and irrational are attachments and the passions. 


(4) The Buddha said: “There are ten things considered good by all beings, and ten things evil. What are they? Three of them depend upon the body, four upon the mouth, and three upon thought. 
”Three evil deeds depending upon the body are: killing, stealing, and committing adultery. The four depending upon the mouth are: slandering, cursing, lying, and flattery. The three depending upon thought are: envy, anger, and infatuation. All these things are against the Holy Way, and therefore they are evil. “When these evils are not done, there are ten good deeds.

(5) The Buddha said: “If a man who has committed many a misdemeanor does not repent and cleanse his heart of the evil, retribution will come upon his person as sure as the streams run into the ocean which becomes ever deeper and wider. 

”If a man who has committed a misdemeanor come to the knowledge of it, reform himself, and practice goodness, the force of retribution will gradually exhaust itself as a disease gradually loses its baneful influence when the patient perspires.”


(6) The Buddha said: “When an evil-doer, seeing you practice goodness, comes and maliciously insults you, you should patiently endure it and not feel angry with him, for the evil-doer is insulting himself by trying to insult you.”


(7) The Buddha said: “Once a man came unto me and denounced me on account of my observing the Way and practicing great loving-kindness. But I kept silent and did not answer him. The denunciation ceased. I then asked him, if you bring a present to your neighbor and he accepts it not, does the present come back to you?’ The man replied, ‘It will.’ I said, ‘you denounce me now, but as I accept it not, you must take the wrong deed back on your own person. It is like echo succeeding sound, it is like shadow following object; you never escape the effect of your own evil deeds. Be therefore mindful, and cease from doing evil.'”


(8) The Buddha said: “Evil-doers who denounce the wise resemble a person who spits against the sky; the spittle will never reach the sky, but comes down on himself. Evildoers again resemble a man who stirs the dust against the wind; the dust is never raised without doing him injury. Thus, the wise will never be hurt, but the curse is sure to destroy the evil-doers themselves.”


(9) The Buddha said: “If you endeavor to embrace the Way through much learning, the Way will not be understood. If you observe the Way with simplicity of heart, great indeed is this Way.”


(10) The Buddha said: “Those who rejoice in seeing others observe the Way will obtain great blessing.” A Çramana asked the Buddha, “Would this blessing ever be destroyed?” The Buddha said, “It is like a lighted torch whose flame can be distributed to ever so many other torches which people may bring along; and therewith they will cook food and dispel darkness, while the original torch itself remains burning ever the same It is even so with the bliss of the Way.”


(11) The Buddha said: “It is better to feed one good man than to feed one hundred bad men. It is better to feed one who observes the five precepts of Buddha than to feed one thousand good men. It is better to feed one Srotaâpanna than to feed ten thousands of those who observe the five precepts of Buddha. It is better to feed one Skridâgâmin than to feed one million of Srotaâpannas. It is better to feed one Anâgâmin than to feed ten millions of Skridâgâmins. It is better to feed one Arhat than to feed one hundred millions of Anâgâmins. It is better to feed one Pratyekabuddha than to feed one billion of Arhats. It is better to feed one of the Buddha’s, either of the present, or of the past, or of the future, than to feed ten billions of Pratyekabuddhas. It is better to feed one who is above knowledge, one-sidedness, discipline, and enlightenment than to feed one hundred billions of Buddha’s of the past, present, or future.”

(12) The Buddha said: “There are twenty difficult things to attain [or to accomplish] in this world:
(1) It is difficult for the poor to practice charity
(2) It is difficult for the strong and rich to observe the Way
(3) It is difficult to disregard life and go to certain death
(4) It is only a favored few that gets acquainted with a Buddhist sutra
(5) It is by rare opportunity that a person is born in the age of Buddha
(6) It is difficult to conquer the passions, to suppress selfish desires
(7) It is difficult not to hanker after that which is agreeable
(8) It is difficult not to get into a passion when slighted
(9) It is difficult not to abuse one’s authority
(10) It is difficult to be even-minded and simple-hearted in all one’s dealings with others
(11) It is difficult to be thorough in learning and exhaustive in investigation
(12) It is difficult to subdue selfish pride
(13) It is difficult not to feel contempt toward the unlearned
(14) It is difficult to be one in knowledge and practice
(15) It is difficult not to express an opinion about others
(16) It is by rare opportunity that one is introduced to a true spiritual teacher
(17) It is difficult to gain an insight into the nature of being and to practice the Way
(18) It is difficult to follow the steps of a savior
(19) It is difficult to be always the master of oneself
(20) It is difficult to understand thoroughly the Ways of Buddha.”


(13) A monk asked the Buddha: “Under what conditions is it possible to come to the knowledge of the past and to understand the most supreme Way?”

The Buddha said: “Those who are pure in heart and single in purpose are able to understand the most supreme Way. It is like polishing a mirror, which becomes bright when the dust is removed. Remove your passions, and have no hankering, and the past will be revealed unto you.”


(14) A monk asked the Buddha: “What is good, and what is great?” The Buddha answered: “Good is to practice the Way and to follow the truth. Great is the heart that is in accord with the Way.”


(15) A monk asked the Buddha: “What is most powerful, and what is most illuminating?” The Buddha said: “Meekness is most powerful, for it harbors no evil thoughts, and, moreover, it is restful and full of strength. As it is free from evils, it is sure to be honored by all. “The most illuminating is a mind which is thoroughly cleansed of dirt, and which, remaining pure, retains no blemishes. From the time when there was yet no- heaven and earth till the present day, there is nothing in the ten quarters which is not seen, or known, or heard by such a mind, for it has gained all-knowledge, and for that reason it is called ‘illuminating.”

(16) The Buddha said: “Those who have passions are never able to perceive the Way; for it is like stirring up clear water with hands; people may come there wishing to find a reflection of their faces, which, however, they will never see. A mind troubled and vexed with the passions is impure, and on that account it never sees the Way. O monks, do away with passions. When the dirt of passion is removed the Way will manifest itself.”


(17) The Buddha said: “Seeing the Way is like going into a dark room with a torch; the darkness instantly departs, while the light alone remains. When the Way is attained and the truth is seen, ignorance vanishes and enlightenment abides forever.”


(18) The Buddha said: “My doctrine is to think the thought that is unthinkable, to practice the deed that is not-doing, to speak the speech that is inexpressible, and to be trained in the discipline that is beyond discipline. Those who understand this are near; those who are confused are far. The Way is beyond words and expressions, is bound by nothing earthly. Lose sight of it to an inch, or miss it for a moment, and we are away from it forevermore.”


(19) The Buddha said: “Look up to heaven and down on earth, and they will remind you of their impermanency. Look about the world, and it will remind you of its impermanency. But when you gain spiritual enlightenment, you shall then find wisdom. The knowledge thus attained leads you anon to the Way.”


(20) The Buddha said: “You should think of the four elements of which the body is composed. Each of them has its own name, and there is no such thing there known as ego. As there is really no ego, it is like unto a mirage.” 


(21) The Buddha said: “Moved by their selfish desires, people seek after fame and glory. But when they have acquired it, they are already stricken in years. If you hanker after worldly fame and practice not the Way, your labors are wrongfully applied and your energy is wasted. It is like unto burning an incense stick. However much its pleasing odor be admired, the fire that consumes is steadily burning up the stick.”


(22) The Buddha said: “People cleave to their worldly possessions and selfish passions so blindly as to sacrifice their own lives for them. They are like a child who tries to eat a little, honey smeared on the edge of a knife. The amount is by no means sufficient to appease his appetite, but he runs the risk of wounding his tongue.”


(23) The Buddha said: “Men are tied up to their families and possessions more helplessly than in a prison. There is an occasion for the prisoner to be released, but householders entertain no desire to be relieved from the ties of family. When a man’s passion is aroused nothing prevents him from ruining himself. Even into the maws of a tiger will he jump? Those who are thus drowned in the filth of passion are called the ignorant. Those who are able to overcome it are saintly Arhats.”


(24) The Buddha said: “There is nothing like lust. Lust may be said to be the most powerful passion. Fortunately, we have but one thing, which is more powerful. If the thirst for truth were weaker than passion, how many of us in the world would be able to follow the way of righteous?”


(25) The Buddha. said: “Men who are addicted to the passions are like the torch-carrier running against the wind; his hands are sure to be burned.”

(26) The Lord of Heaven offered a beautiful fairy to the Buddha, desiring to tempt him to the evil path. But the Buddha said, “Be gone. What use have I for the leather bag filled with filth which you have brought to me?” Then, the god reverently bowed and asked the Buddha about the essence of the Way, in which having been instructed by the Buddha, it is said, and he attained the Srotaâpanna-fruit.


(27) The Buddha said: “Those who are following the Way should behave like a piece of timber which is drifting along a stream. If the log is neither held by the banks, nor seized by men, nor obstructed by the gods, nor kept in the whirlpool, nor itself goes to decay, I assure you that this log will finally reach the ocean. If monks walking on the Way are neither tempted by the passions, nor led astray by some evil influences, but steadily pursue their course for Nirvâna, I assure you that these monks will finally attain enlightenment.”


(28) The Buddha said: “Rely not upon your own will. Your own will is not trustworthy. Guard yourselves against sensualism, for it surely leads to the path of evil. Your own will becomes trustworthy only when you have attained Arhatship.”


(29) The Buddha said: “O monks, you should not see women. [If you should have to see them], refrain from talking to them. [If you should have to talk], you should reflect in a right spirit: ‘I am now a homeless mendicant. In the world of sin, I must behave myself like unto the lotus flower whose purity is not defiled by the mud. Old ones I will treat as my mother; elderly ones as elder sisters; younger ones as younger sisters; and little ones as daughters.’ And in all this you should harbor no evil thoughts, but think of salvation.”


(30) The Buddha said: “Those who walk in the Way should avoid sensualism as those who carry hay would avoid coming near the fire.”


(31) The Buddha said: “There was once a man who, being in despair over his inability to control his passions, wished to mutilate himself. The Buddha said to him: ‘Better destroy your own evil thoughts than do harm to your own person. The mind is lord. When the lord himself is calmed the servants will of themselves be yielding. If your mind is not cleansed of evil passions, what avails it to mutilate yourself?”
Thereupon, the Buddha recited the gâthâ,
”Passions grow from the will,
The will grows from thought and imagination:
When both are calmed,
There is neither sensualism nor transmigration.”
The Buddha said, this gâthâ was taught before by Kâshyapabuddha.

(32) The Buddha said: “From the passions arise worry, and from worry arises fear. Away with the passions, and no fear, no worry.”


(33) The Buddha said: Those who follow the Way are like unto warriors who fight single-handed with a multitude of foes. They may all go out of the fort in full armor; but among them are some who are faint-hearted, and some who go halfway and beat a retreat, and some who are killed in the affray, and some who come home victorious. O monks, if you desire to attain enlightenment, you should steadily walk in your Way, with a resolute heart, with courage, and should be fearless in whatever environment you may happen to be, and destroy every evil influence that you may come across; for thus you shall reach the goal.”


(34) One night a monk was reciting a sutra bequeathed by Kâshyapabuddha. His tone was so mournful, and his voice so fainting, as if he were going out of existence. The Buddha asked the monk, “What was your occupation before you became a homeless monk? “Said the monk, “I was very fond of playing the guitar.” The Buddha said, “How did you find it when the strings were too loose?” Said the monk, “No sound is possible.” “How when the strings were too tight?” “They crack.” “How when they were neither too tight nor too loose?” “Every note sounds in its proper tone.” The Buddha then said to the monk, “Religious discipline is also like unto playing the guitar. When the mind is properly adjusted and quietly applied, the Way is attainable; but when you are too fervently bent on it, your body grows tired; and when your body is tired, your spirit becomes weary; when your spirit is weary, your discipline will relax; and with the relaxation of discipline there follows many an evil. Therefore, be calm and pure, and the Way will be gained.”

(35) The Buddha said: “When a man makes utensils out of a metal which has been thoroughly cleansed of dross, the utensils will be excellent. You monks, who wish to follow the Way, make your own hearts clean from the dirt of evil passion, and your conduct will be unimpeachable.”


(36) The Buddha said: “Even if one escapes from the evil creations, it is one’s rare fortune to be born as a human being. Even if one were born as human, it is one’s rare fortune to be born as a man and not a woman. Even if one were born a man, it is one’s rare fortune to be perfect in all the six senses. Even if he were perfect in all the six senses, it is his rare fortune to be born in the middle kingdom. Even if he were born in the middle kingdom, it is his rare fortune to be born in the time of a Buddha. Even if he were born in the time of a Buddha, it is his rare fortune to see the enlightened. Even if he were able to see the enlightened, it is his rare fortune to have his heart awakened in faith. Even if he has faith, it is his rare fortune to awaken the heart of intelligence. Even if he awakens the heart of intelligence, it is his rare fortune to realize a spiritual state which is above discipline and attainment.”


(37) The Buddha said: “O children of Buddha! You are away from me ever so many thousand miles, but if you remember and think of my precepts, you shall surely gain the fruit of enlightenment. You may, standing by my side, see me always, but if you observe not my precepts, you shall never gain enlightenment.”


(38) The Buddha asked a monk, “How do you measure the length of a man’s life?” The monk answered, “By days.” The Buddha said, “You do not understand the Way.”

The Buddha asked another monk, “How do you measure the length of a man’s life?” The answered, “By the time that passes during a meal.” The Buddha said, “You do not understand the way.”

The Buddha asked a third monk, “How do you measure the length of a man’s life?” The monk answered, “By the breath.” The Buddha said, “Very well, you know the Way.”


(39) The Buddha said, “Those who study the doctrine of the Buddha’s will do well to believe and observe all that is taught by them. It is like unto honey; it is sweet within, it is sweet without, it is sweet throughout; so is the Buddha’s’ teaching.”


(40) The Buddha said: “O monks, you must not walk on the Way as the ox that is attached to the wheel. His body moves, but his heart is not willing. But when your hearts are in accord with the Way, there is no need of troubling yourselves about your outward demeanor.”


(41) The Buddha said: “Those who practice the Way might well follow the example of an ox that marches through the deep mire carrying a heavy load. He is tired, but his steady gaze, looking forward, will never relax until he come out of the mire, and it is only then that he takes a respite. O monks, remember that passions and sins are more than the filthy mire, and that you can escape misery only by earnestly and steadily thinking of the Way.”

(42) The Buddha said: “I consider the dignities of kings and lords as a particle of dust that floats in the sunbeam. I consider the treasure of precious metals and stones as bricks and pebbles. I consider the gaudy dress of silks and brocades as a worn-out rag. I consider this universe as small as the holila (?) fruit. I consider the lake of Anavatapta as a drop of oil with which one smears the feet. I consider the various methods of salvation taught by the Buddha’s as a treasure created by the imagination. I consider the transcendental doctrine of Buddhism as precious metal or priceless fabric seen in a dream. I consider the teaching of Buddha’s as a flower before my eyes. I consider the practice of Dhyâna as a pillar supporting the Mount Sumeru. I consider Nirvâna as awakening from a daydream or nightmare. I consider the struggle between heterodox and orthodox as the antics of the six [mythical] dragons. I consider the doctrine of sameness as the absolute ground of reality. I consider all the religious works done for universal salvation as like the plants in the four seasons.”

Allegri – Miserere mei, Deus (Full version) Music

Published 16/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Please sit back, close you eyes, relax and enjoy the angelic Agnus Dei performed by the Choir of New College Oxford, absolutely beautiful 🙂

It matters not what your beliefs are or what religion you follow, this is purely angelic 🙂 I do hope you all agree?

Namaste

Mark

Kindness

Published 15/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Kindness in words creates confidence, Kindness in thinking creates profoundness, Kindness in giving creates Love.

Kindness can restore hope to many hearts through a single act.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.

Spiritually, Kindness is also considered to be one of the seven Divine Virtues.

We need to assume our responsibilities on bringing kindness and compassion to this world,
to bring justice,
to bring peace
and true fraternity among men.

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Namaste

Mark

Random Acts of Kindness

Published 14/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit

Eclipses and Energy Shifts

Published 14/11/2012 by inspiringyourspirit