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The 10 Grave Precepts…#2 does not steal

May 21, 2013 by unlockthedoortolearning

Such a moon—

Even the thief

Pauses to sing.

–Buson

There is a thief in all of us to some degree or other.  Some of us are good at stealing time from our family, friends, and co-workers by asking of them things we should not ask.  We steal time from our day when we could be sitting in quiet meditation, or volunteering our time at a local food bank, charity, or senior center.  Most things when they are stolen can be returned either by the person giving it back, the police finding it and returning it, or by buying a new one to replace it—but not so with time.  Once it is stolen it is gone forever.

Even the thief was wise enough to stop and spend some time admiring the moon.  In Zen we are particularly conscious of time and often look at it as never ending and eternal and now.  We cannot go back in time to recover the lost item or relationship and we cannot jump into the future to catch up with it.  The only thing we can do is be mindful and live in the now moment to the best of our ability.

We can steal dreams from our children when we hinder them from being truly who they are–by not allowing them to follow their hearts to where their dreams wish to take them.  I knew a man when I was young who sold shoes, he sold shoes because his father and his grandfather sold shoes, but in his dreams he was an artist: he thought like an artist, dreamt like an artist, and probably even sold shoes like an artist.  Then one day he told me that he had quit his job and was running away from home to BE an artist.  I wished him luck and knew his dream had been reclaimed like we do with the ticket we take back to the shoe repair shop to reclaim our newly soled shoes.  We walk out of that shop filled with dreams of wearing those shoes, dancing in those shoes, and maybe even getting a kiss under “such a moon” from that comely young man round the corner.

You may have stolen other things from someone, things I cannot mention out loud but that was in the past and today is a new day, with a new moon, and you may want to pause to peer at its beauty like a thief in the night stealing back a dream hoping that in the dawn it will reappear and manifest in your life.

My 92-year-old mother wrote a poem about the moon when she was nine years old.  As she walked from the farmhouse to the outhouse before bedtime she looked up at the pitch black sky with the billions of stars and her heart was stolen by the beauty and joy of the moon.  Here is what she wrote:

I can see the old moon

As he rocks in the sky

With a bean for a nose

And a rock for an eye.

Up up he goes into the blue sky

I can see him wrinkle his nose

And twinkle his eye.

–Iona Louise Bishop

Today is a wonderful day to see how your senses can be stolen by something or someone you love.  How about stealing some time away from the to-do list to sit and meditate?  How about looking to steal some time away from your rambling thoughts, anxieties, and fears by being mindful of your next meal?  I mean really mindful.  To really eat it, every bit of it and enjoy every sound, scent, and feel of it.

Tonight I hope you will steal some time to take a walk outside and as you look up at the evening sky let me know if you can see the old moon with that “twinkle” in his eye!

Things to focus on this week:

Step one: Begin by deciding which area of “stealing” you will focus on first.

  • Step two: Set your intention to practice that one throughout the day/week.
  • Step three: Remember to be mindful of it by writing it on a 3×5 notecard, or by putting it in your smartphone and having it remind you throughout the day.
  • Step four: Remind yourself to listen to your thoughts and observe your behaviors to see if you are practicing the principle of “not stealing.”
  • Step five: Finally, keep a journal on the precept of “not stealing” and make note of how learning to embody it in thoughts, words, and actions is affecting your life. Good luck with that!

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The 10 Grave Precepts #1 not killing…

May 16, 2013 by unlockthedoortolearning

These two simple words “not killing” provide us with ample opportunity to think about their meaning and their purpose as we work on Grave Precept #1.  There is no measure long enough to take us to the end of the ideas that have been written on this subject.  Throughout antiquity all religions and philosophies have grappled with it.  But that will not stop us from embarking on this challenge for a week and seeing where it leads us.

Of course, we do not want to kill anyone or anything—that is a given.  But how does “not killing” work when we kill bugs in the house or the garden.  How does it work when we take the weeds from that same garden?  Does the precept cover killing people with our angry and hateful words and leaving them feeling as though they have been “sliced into bits” by our tongue?  Have your thoughts about yourself killed your ambition, your love for another, your attitude about life?  Does that violate the precept of “not killing”?

Some take on a life of vegetarianism because of this precept.  However, there are many sides to this precept of which we may not be aware. “The Buddha did not prescribe vegetarianism.   Buddhist monks are permitted to eat meat, for example, if it is put in their alms bowl by a lay supporter.  They are not permitted, however, to eat an animal that has been killed on their behalf.[1]  For some this may sound like splitting hairs, that’s for sure, but it is true.

So, to help us out let’s go to our wonderful teacher Robert Aitken’s book, The Mind of Clover Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics (1984), and let’s see the light that he sheds on this subject.

There are three elements that the Zen teacher uses in conveying the precepts: the literal, the compassionate, and the essential, or, as they are more technically termed: the Hinayana, the Mahayana, and the Buddha-nature views. 

The Hinayana view of “Not Killing” is just that. The extreme limit of such literal interpretation is not Buddhist at all, but the Jain faith, whose monks filter all water before drinking it, in order to protect the microscopic animals that might otherwise be swallowed (page16).[2]

So it seems that the Jain faith’s influence on Buddhism took them to a very extreme “literal” interpretation of this precept.  So how about the “compassionate” view of this subject?  What would that look like?  Is it compassionate to kill, let’s say, ants when they are taking over your kitchen?

Some years ago I went to see a monk from the Self-realization Fellowship speak in Miami.  He was a student of Paramahansa Yogananda and during his talk he took questions from the audience and so, of course, someone asked about the idea of “not killing.”  He shared a story with us about going down early one morning to prepare breakfast for the monks and all over the counter were ants.  So he chanted and he prayed and nothing worked.  He did not want to prepare the food and get ants into it so he said his last resort was the ant spray.  He illustrated what he did by making believe he had a large can of ant spray in his hand spraying it across the counter as he chanted: Ohm, ohm—You  are now going to your next level of higher consciousness—ohm …ohm.  Everyone laughed and we all got the point.  He went beyond the literal interpretation and somewhere between the compassionate (for the monks) and an essential teaching of Buddha and eating meat if offered as an Alm.

Where will you take your thoughts and practice this week on the idea of “not killing”? For some you may want to focus some time on not killing your own motivation and self-esteem, others may want to be careful of their words and actions that may be directed toward others that kills their love and affection, some may want to focus on food, and yet others may want to concentrate on working with groups that focus on getting rid of the death penalty or stopping wars and the like.  But whatever you choose be aware of what you say, do, and think on all three levels: literal, compassionate, and essential.  Keep asking yourself, “What would the Buddha say or do in this situation?”

And may the “force” be with you on your path of “not killing”!

Things to focus on this week:

Step one: Begin by deciding which area of “not killing” you will focus on first.

Step two: Set your intention to practice that one throughout the day/week.

Step three: Remember to be mindful of it by writing it on a 3×5 notecard, or by putting it in your smartphone and having it remind you throughout the day.

Step four: Remind yourself to listen to your thoughts and observe your behaviors to see if you are practicing the principle of “not killing.”

Step five: Finally, keep a journal on the precept of “not killing” and make note of how learning to embody it in thoughts, words, and actions is affecting your life. Good luck with that!

[2] Aitken, R. (1984) The Mind of Clover Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics. North Point Press, NY

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The Ten Grave Precepts…the way of right living

May 10, 2013 by unlockthedoortolearning

 

When looking around the internet for information on The Ten Grave Precepts I came across a wonderful analogy used by the San Francisco Zen Center on their website and it said, “They are the strands of Indra’s Net.”[1]  With those words came a beautiful picture into my mind of a large fishing net with each strand being one of the precepts each linked with the other divided by a button holding them together throughout time and space. As you can see this still allows for the movement of energy and light from precept to precept through each of the button holes.

The Ten Grave Precepts are as follows:

A Disciple of the Buddha

  1. …does not kill.
  2. …does not steal.
  3. …does not misuse sexuality.
  4. …does not lie.
  5. …does not cloud the mind.
  6. …does not speak of the faults of others.
  7. …does not elevate the self and blame others.
  8. …is not possessive of anything.
  9. …does not harbor ill will.
  10. …does not disparage the three treasures.

I will take one of these at a time and share my thoughts on how they work in my life and how I hope, when practiced, they can work in yours.

Buddhism is not a philosophy that is meant to be discussed at Starbucks with a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino® and Biscotti.  It is a philosophy to live by.  To take into each moment of your life and use, to make your life move more slowly, more pointedly, more lovingly, more happily, and finally more mindfully.  I am not saying that as a student of Buddhism it would be inappropriate to enjoy that Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino® and Biscotti.  Just remember to enjoy it slowly, happily, and lovingly!  And of course mindfully!

The way of “right” living does not mean right as in the opposite of wrong.  But in fact more like good, helpful, kind, or thoughtful living.  It is living a life that does not harm you or others in mind, body, or spirit.  It is one that uplifts and upholds positive thoughts, words, and deeds.  We do it not just when it is easy, but when it is hard or difficult to do.

If you are willing to embark on this adventure with me remember that they need not be worked on in any particular order.  In fact, this would be a good time to review them and to see which ones you are doing well, which ones—not so well, and which ones—not at all.  Then it would be an opportunity, over the next 10 weeks or so, to take one each week starting with your weakest one, and begin working on it.  I am sure that the universe will provide you enough opportunities to practice with!

I think one of my weakest is #6 …does not speak of the faults of others.  I want to start my work with that one.  Let’s see how good I am at it after a week and if I slip back into my old habits once I stop focusing on it.  Only time will tell…

I hope you will join me on this adventure in Buddhism.

Things to focus on this week:

  • Step one: Begin by deciding which one you will work on first.
  • Step two: Set your intention to practice that one throughout the day/week.
  • Step three: Remember to be mindful of it by writing it on a 3×5 notecard, or by putting it in your smartphone and having it remind you throughout the day.
  • Step four: Remind yourself to listen to your thoughts and observe your behaviors to see if you are practicing the principle.
  • Step five: Finally, keep a journal on this precept and make note of how learning to embody it in thoughts, words, and actions is affecting your life. Good luck with that!

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The Three Pure Precepts #3 to actualize good for others…

May 8, 2013 by unlockthedoortolearning

The Three Pure Precepts are always associated with what we call the “bodhisattva vow.”  Each and every one of us working on the teachings of Buddhism and the Three Pure Precepts are acting as a bodhisattva even if we don’t know it.  “In Mahayana Buddhism a bodhisattva is a being who seeks buddahood through the systematic practice of the perfect virtues (page 24).”[1]  The determining factor for the bodhisattva’s behavior is to actualize good for others. 

Reb Anderson in his wonderful book Being Upright (2001) writes, “Empowered by the realization of the Three Pure Precepts, you will gladly do whatever is beneficial not only for humans but for all living beings (page 77).”  He goes on to write, “The great master Yunmen was once asked by a monk, ‘What was the Buddha teaching his entire lifetime?’ Yunmen answered, ‘An appropriate response.’ Throughout his life Shakyamuni was primarily concerned with what was appropriate for the edification and liberation of whomever he was facing at the moment (page 79).[2]

Each day—moment by moment—we are given opportunities to show unconditional love and compassion the bodhisattva way. For many this will help liberate them from a life of sadness, depression, and doubt. To encounter someone who is there to help and not criticize, to love and not hate, to give and not take, to share and not withhold is a rare event.  Remember it is important to be a bodhisattva for others and for you. 

It is living a life of selflessness and thinking about how our actions, thoughts, words, and emotions help make this a better more loving and compassionate world for everyone.  Now that may sound like a very big job for just one person, but all change and good begins with just one.

I am reminded of a story about a young girl who while eating in McDonald’s noticed that the food was being served in Styrofoam containers.  She had learned in her science class how bad Styrofoam was for the environment and how much of it was in our landfills and how long it took to decompose: 1+ million years!  How long does it take to decompose one paper bag: 1 week.  How many hamburgers do they sell anyway?  4.2 million daily that comes to 29.4 million a week or 1.528 billion a year! So she took on a campaign to get McDonald’s to stop using them, and as we all know, it worked.  We now get our food in wax paper coverings.  Just one girl, one blossoming bodhisattva, looking out for the good of all concerned.

That was definitely an appropriate response!

Norman Fischer in his book Training in Compassion (2013) wrote, “What good is a really big love if it never gets applied in the world?”[3]  She had a really big love for the environment and the planet which was being left to her and her generation and she applied it appropriately! She also was able to do this by another great thought from Reb Anderson, “Forgetting yourself, you are able to embrace and sustain the most difficult manifestations of being. Embracing and sustaining all beings, you are finally able to meet yourself completely (page 82).”[4]   

She meet her bodhisattva self!  As you meet yours you will be able to greet the loving compassionate you through actualizing good for all concerned.

Things to focus on this week:

  1.  I will begin each day with the intention of “actualizing good for all concerned.”
  2. When I think the project or situation is too large for me to fix or is unattainable I will think of the girl who saved us from Styrofoam!
  3. Lastly, I will keep a journal of the opportunities that have been presented to me so I can keep track of my progress and the opportunities that are ahead of me to actualize good for all concerned.  

[1] The Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen, 1991,  Shambala, Boston, MA.

[2] Anderson, R. 2001, Being Upright Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts. Rodmell Press. Berkeley, CA

[3] Fischer, N. 2013, Training in Compassion Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong.  Shambala, Boston, MA.

[4] Anderson, R.

 

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The Three Pure Precepts…#2 to practice good

May 3, 2013 by unlockthedoortolearning

“Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a wrongly-directed mind will do us greater mischief (The Dhammapada, page9).”[1]  This is how I see the second precept “to practice good.”  If I set my intention each morning to direct my thinking toward the good it will make it a much easier and more pleasant path to follow that day.  If I make it a point to set a goal to do what is in the best interest of all concerned in each one of my encounters today—undoubtedly—I will have a much more fulfilling and pleasant day.

However, the world does give us many opportunities to test our metal to be able to do good in each and every encounter, with each and every thought, and with each and every action.  Sometimes we may even be confused about what the “good way” would be in a situation.    Rushworth Kidder in his book How Good People Make Tough Choices (1995) talks about situations where we are trying to figure out what to do where we may have two right/good choices.  He calls that “right vs right.” They are much harder to handle than the kind where we are faced with the “right vs wrong” situation, such as when we are given the wrong change at the store. It is easy to know the “right” think to do is to give the extra change back.  This situation easily gives us the opportunity to “practice good.”

But then when we face the “right vs right” challenge it can be much more difficult and frustrating since both ways are really right.  As in the family budget, “It is right to take the family on a much-needed vacation—and right to save that money for your children’s education (page 5).”[2]  Either way helps us to practice the second part of the Three Pure Precepts “to practice good.” So we are in a pickle, as they say!

Kidder goes on to say, “If we can call right-versus-right choices ‘ethical dilemmas’ we can reserve the phrase ‘moral temptations’ for the right-versus-wrong ones (page 5).”  That brings us around to the Dhammapada again where a wrongly-directed mind will do us greater mischief.  In the Platform Sutra the Zen Teaching of Hui-neng (2006) translated by Red Pine it says, “Good friends, as for ‘I vow to save all beings, no matter how numberless,’ it isn’t Hui-neng who does the saving.  Good friends, every being you can think of saves themselves with their own nature in their own bodies. (page 17).”[3]  Wow, that’s a challenge isn’t it!

Red Pine goes on to write,

The wrong views and afflictions, the ignorance and delusions in their own material bodies already possess the nature of original enlightenment.  It is just this nature of original enlightenment that saves them with right views.  Once they realize the prajna wisdom of right view, they dispel their ignorance and delusion, and each being saves themselves.  The false are saved with truth.  The deluded are saved with awareness.  The ignorant are saved with wisdom. The bad are saved with goodness.  And the afflicted are saved with enlightenment.  Those who are saved like this are truly saved (page 17).[4]

This is such a beautiful idea that each of us can work with as we practice precept #2 doing good.  Knowing that we have this innate wisdom within us that truly knows the right way is relieving us of many burdens and fears that we may not make the right choice.  So begin by getting in touch with “your own nature” as Hui-neng says.  And that nature is filled with the prajna wisdom and right views to help you handle any situations that may occur in your life.

Let’s take time each day to sit and while we are sitting or meditating or praying to focus on our true nature that of love, peace, joy and compassion.  Let us bring those emotions out in every situation with everyone we encounter throughout the day regardless of how they have approached us.  Let us see that within them is also the ability to tap into the prajna wisdom of right view and to act for the best interest of all concerned.  The “bad are saved with goodness” even if they do not know it in any moment the light may appear and they will recognize their true self.

If “a wrongly-directed mind will do us greater mischief” imagine what a rightly directed mind can do!

Things to focus on this week:

1.       1.   I will begin each day with the intention of finding good in everyone I meet.

2.      2.   When I feel a negative emotion I will remind myself that innate goodness and my nature of original enlightenment is within me right at this very moment.

3.       3.  Next, I will always look for the answer that is the best for all concerned.

4.      4.   Lastly, I will keep a journal of the opportunities that have been presented to me so I can keep track of my progress and my opportunities for growth.

[1] Babbitt, I., 1936 The Dhammapada, NY:NY A new Directions Paperbook

[2] Kidder, R.M., 1995 How Good People make Tough Choices, Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living, NY:NY Harper Collins Publisher

[3] Red Pine, 2006 The Platform Sutra The Zen Teaching of Hui-Neng, Berkeley: CA Counterpoint

[4] Ibid.

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The Three Pure Precepts…#1 not to create evil

April 27, 2013 by unlockthedoortolearning

I am so excited to begin writing about “The Three Pure Precepts” they are simple yet powerful maxims to live by.  Robert Aitken in his book The Mind of Clover (1984) writes, “In Mahayana Buddhism, these lines underwent change reflecting a shift from the ideal of personal perfection to the ideal of oneness with all beings.  The last line was dropped, and the third rewritten:

 [Zen Buddhism-Dhammapada]

Renounce all evil;

Practice all good;

Keep your mind pure—

thus all the Buddhas taught.

                [Mahayana Buddhism]

Renounce all evil;

Practice all good;

                Save the many beings (page 4).”

I’ll begin with the first verse.  For each of us the word “evil” will mean something different.  For some our religious beliefs say that consuming alcohol is evil and that a person who loves someone of the same sex is evil.  Thus, is the conundrum: How do I define the word for myself and for others? How do I know it when I see it?  How can I stop it when it is coming from and through me?

For some things the word “evil” is a little too strong and that may allow us to be rude, or critical, or thoughtless and still “believe” that we are upholding the Pure Precept of “renouncing all evil.” This happens because many times we are only willing to see it when it is coming from others but not from ourselves.  For sure, evil is in the eye of the receiver.  If you were the receiver of these words or actions how would you feel? What would you do?  Since we are working toward being “one with all others” I imagine it might be very painful. If you are practicing mindfulness you will pause and listen to your thoughts and observe your behavior and then you can make the judgment as to whether or not these words or actions directed at the “other” might be considered “evil.”  Being mindful gives you the opportunity to choose to either continue or to stop.

 Another great way to “renounce all evil” is to practice the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” When I read this in a Dharma talk by Roshi James Ismael[1] it rang a bell for me and I thought, “What a great idea!” If I include this maxim in my life it will help me to pause when I think evil thoughts or are contemplating evil deeds.  In that moment of pause I will be able to reflect upon my next words or actions and choose to renounce them and take a different path. If I start each morning with my mind set on being one with all sentient beings I would be kinder and gentler.  Doing this just may help me be less critical at home or at work with myself and others.

To save the many beings may mean saving them from you with your negativity in behavior and thinking.  It also may mean saving you from your own negative thinking and recriminations.  This too is a part of the violation of the vow that we take to “renounce all evil” evil to self and others!

So this week our task is to begin working on The Three Pure Precepts beginning with #1.

Things to focus on this week:

1.       Set your intention each morning to practice the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”  live a life where being one with all others is reflected in your thoughts, words, and actions.

2.       Define the word “evil” for yourself.

3.       Be mindful throughout the day and listen to your thoughts and observe your behavior then determine if those words or actions directed at the “other” or at “yourself” might be considered “evil.”

4.       Finally, keep a journal on this precept and make note of how learning to “renounce all evil” in thoughts, words, and actions is affecting your life.

[1] Reflections on the Three Pure Precepts
A Dharma talk by Roshi James Ishmael Ford, 3 June 2002
Henry Thoreau Sangha, Boundless Way Zen http://www.boundlesswayzen.org/teishos/threepureteisho.html

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Refuge #3 the Sangha…my Buddhist community

April 22, 2013 by unlockthedoortolearning

So far we have talked about the first two refuges (Buddha and Dharma/teachings) and today we will be working on the third: the Sangha.  Robert Aitken in his book The Mind of Clover (1984) says this, “Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha can be understood here to mean realization, truth, and harmony (page 4).” This is achieved through the harmony of the Buddha and the Dharma which is accomplished through the fellowship that comes with being a part of a group practicing, sitting, and working on the teachings (Dharma) of Shakyamuni Buddha.

I love what it says in the book Soto Zen an Introduction to Zazen (2002):

Each of us needs to make personal vows based on our talents and abilities.  We don’t need to be a Buddhist priest. We don’t even need to be zazen practitioners.  Whether we are schoolteachers, lawyers, farmers, or mechanics—through our work and through our family life, we can find a wholesome way to benefit all living beings.  Through our activities we can make this world a healthier place.  I believe that this is our practice as bodhisattvas in the modern age.  There is no secret method to resolve all the problems we face, but each of us can take vows, practice repentance, and continue to make our own small but steady efforts.  And I believe that in order to live this way, zazen practice, as taught by Dogen Zenji, is a great help (page 15).

So where do we learn Dogen Zenji zazen (meditation) practice?  First, check the internet to see if there is a Buddhist group in your area.  If not, you can sit with people online at various websites.  You can read, listen to lectures, and find Buddhist chants on line as well.  So you can sit and learn all by yourself. Then one day you may even invite a friend to sit with you if there is no community near where you live.  Start your own small group where you can encourage and support each other.   It will help to be mindful of the time spent in sitting and reading and making notes of your progress.

If you are able to go away for a day or a week you can find many opportunities to study and learn at some of the most beautiful and wonderful Zen centers right here in the United States.  One of my very favorites, beyond my home group, is the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY.  They have ongoing programs all year long and you can find information about them at their website www.mro.org.  Your local groups may have opportunities to sit for a half day (zazenkai) or a, full day and sometimes even 3 to 10 days.

We even have groups that sit in the prisons around the country.  I am a small part of our prison ministry team where we go twice a month to sit with our men and women who are incarcerated.  There are several hundred sitting in the Florida prisons all around the state.  I know that if you want to become a part of a community of people using zazen meditation you can find the tools and groups in so many places, if you just look.

Open your mind to the possibilities!  They will appear before you know it.  Having support from people of like mind is very helpful.  It is especially helpful when you think you’re sitting is not going right, or it is too hard, or too time consuming, or too frustrating.  Having that family/community of people to talk with is so helpful.  Why, because they have had or currently have all the questions, challenges, and problems that you are experiencing and will be glad to walk through them with you.  Help is on the way when you join a Sangha, you’ll be glad you did.

Things to focus on this week:

  1.  I will begin each day with the intention of finding an opportunity to sit in meditation either with a Sangha or on my own.
  2. I will look for information on the teachings locally, on the internet, and through friends when I need help. Finding a Zen teacher/Sangha is a great step toward learning and growing.
  3. Next, I will keep the self-recriminations to a minimum and know that even the Buddha took a long time to find his truth and enlightenment.

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