This got me thinking about a quote attributed to Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism.  You’ve probably heard of it, where he says “If you are depressed, you are living in the past.  If you are anxious, you are living in the future.  If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”  What amazing words of wisdom so simply and clearly put!  But how to put that wonderful piece of wisdom into practice?  This year has not been short on ideas and examples in my life, and those of my friends, where we can find examples:

• Cut out the graphic of this quote that I made and place it by your computer at work and home, on the fridge, heck…even by your alarm clock.  Sometimes we all need a little reminder to slow things down and ‘center’ ourselves to the present moment.
• My best friend is getting a divorce from her husband, and she is both saddened by the past, and nervous about the future.  We cannot change the past, and the future is not here yet.  All we can do is accept that we are in the present, the “here and now”, and with that can come a rush of relief and “peace”.  That can, however, be very hard at times because our mind can really take over and flex it’s muscle in ways we don’t want it to!  This is one example of where meditation helps to not only calm the mind, but help us center and relax so we can be present in the moment even when life becomes both extremely difficult and emotional.
• At work, the economy has struck us hard like everyone in the world.  I see and hear those who are pining for the past where both benefits, perks, and money were better.  And they are also nervous and fearful of the changes that may or may not be coming.  This leads to sadness and anxiousness, both of which are unhealthy.  I find myself not ignoring these things, but accepting them and only focusing on the present moment and the work to be done and to help others find that same peace with work.  I sometimes find work is a form of meditation as well, where I can focus on the task at the moment.  Like meditation, I must be ‘present’ with the world around me and not let work put blinders on me.
• Driving in a major cities freeway becomes almost just like the freeway in your mind.  It carries with it those who are still thinking about a loved one they lost, or those who are worried about what will happen if they are late for work.  Some may be thinking about how to pay the mortgage, and others are saddened about the loss of their house.  All of this while they are driving.  I recall reading in Vietnamese Buddhist monk Zen Thich Nhat Hanh’s newsletter many years ago how he showed his friend how to practice “driving mediation” (you can read about it here).  He told his friend that everytime he saw the words on Montreal Canada’s license plate which said “Je me souviens” he was to take that as a bell of mindfulness to breathe and smile.  This is something you can do as well by finding something to remind you of being mindful (such as a stop sign, or perhaps the slogan on your State’s license plate).  Another way is to just ‘drive’.  This means put down the cell phone (which is becoming illegal in many states anyways), turn off the music, put down the coffee and just ‘drive’.  You won’t be living in the past, or worrying about the future when you just ‘drive’.

As we practice Buddhism, mindfulness, and meditation, we begin to ‘put the pieces together’ so we can live in the present moment.  Life, however, makes this hard, but that is after all the first noble truth and we already have our road-map!  How do you live in the present?  I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!

I’ll list the full quote here, but kept the first verse for the image:

“Better than a thousand hollow words
Is one word that brings peace.
Better than a thousand hollow verses
Is one verse that brings peace.

Better than a hundred hollow lines
Is one line of the law, bringing peace.”

~ Gautama Buddha in “The Thousands” from the Dhammapada (as translated by Thomas Byrom)

If you like the sunset picture, you can view it in original format on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanpeto/4832597775/in/set-72157603631886714

The new year brings to many the opportunity to reflect, and see the path we wish to take in our lives.  For those who have been practicing Buddhism, or who are just starting, a good place to start working on is your mind.

Start With Your Bullish Mind

The Buddha saw things as they truly are, but he didn’t always start there.  Despite trying the many teachings and practices of his time, it was not until he focused and cultivated his mind that he discovered the true nature of things.

We can start with our own mind just as the Buddha did, because your mind is very similar to a wild bull you have to tame, which is uncontrolled and always leading you towards suffering (ever heard the saying ‘like a bull in a china shop’?).

By working on taming and cultivating our mind, we can more easily understand the truth about dukkha in our lives (suffering, dissatisfaction, etc.) and how to overcome it.

Right Thinking, Right Away

The Buddha’s Eightfold Path tells us that “Right Thought” (also known as ‘Right Thinking’ or ‘Mindfulness’) is part of what we need to cultivate.  But what is that?  By having right thoughts, we are not allowing perceptions and events to cloud or color our view of how things truly are.  We don’t allow that bull to thrash around in our mind and cause chaos.  Instead we want to achieve a steady, focused, and calm mind.

Have you ever thought that going to work one day would be horrible, and it turned out that way?  Or have you ever thought that cleaning the dishes is the most boring thing in the world, and it was?  Those are examples of wrong thinking where we allowed our perceptions and wild thoughts to create the wrong attitude within ourselves which lead to dukkha.

Thinking Your Way To A Buddha Mind

So how can we achieve a Buddha Mind?  Here are some ideas:

• Practice the Eightfold Path.  Each step in the Eightfold Path is interconnected and will help you by reinforcing each step.
• If you feel your mind going wild, don’t worry.  Just recognize and accept it, then let the thought float away.
• Question yourself on any anxiety and thoughts that arise.  Make sure it truly is something you need to concern yourself about.
• Do something fully by giving it your undivided attention.  Whether its washing dishes, doing taxes, or even eating, when you fully focus on something you are present in the moment.
• Practice meditation.  By using meditation, we are able to calm, build, and strengthen our mind so it can focus and see clearly.  This can take years, decades, or a lifetime, however the benefits are there even if you don’t realize it right away.
• Practice Loving-Kindness.  Nothing speaks of the Buddha more than his compassion and love. Plant some seeds of kindness in your mind and grow something beautiful.

Achieving a Buddha-mind is within all of us and achievable with steady and continuous effort.  Just like the lotus flower, which sits just below the waterline unseen yet ready to spring up and bloom, you too can have your mind bloom into something beautiful!

So what can you, as a Buddhist, do on Christmas?  More than you can think!  Since Buddhism focuses on the end of suffering (both physical and mental), it’s only natural we help each other while we are here on earth together.

Here are some things you can do as a Buddhist during Christmas:

1. Give a Thoughtful Gift. While Buddhists strive for non-attachment to material things, we also believe in practicing kindness.  A truly thoughtful gift which shows you have paid to attention to someones needs and feelings is much more important than a meaningless stocking stuffer.  Do you have a deeply religious Christian friend?  A gift that shows you respect their faith and shows love and kindness is always appreciated.  Do you have a friend that seems to be down during the holiday season?  A gift of being there for them and asking if they would like to talk shows that you have taken the time to see them in their time of need.
2. Help a Person in Need. We all know someone who needs our help, whether they are a family member, close friend, or even a homeless person on the street asking for spare change.  Everyone has a different need, but we can help as much as we can.  Buddhists frequently give money when asked by someone in need (such as a homeless person), or helping someone during a difficult time if only being there to listen.  You may find that buying a few grocery gift cards from the supermarket and giving them to people in need will mean more than any electronic gadget ever will.  Jesus said “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (Matt. 19:21)
3. Plant Seeds of Kindness. Buddhists plant seeds of kindness by doing the most basic things such as holding the door open for a person with their hands full, paying for the coffee of the next five people in line behind you, or just giving a hug.  There is no reciprocation needed or expected!  Just the act of being kind will benefit you both in ways you cannot imagine.  A wonderful video that reflects this concept is the Liberty Mutual commercial called ‘Doing the Right Thing’, but could have easily been called ‘Planting Seeds of Kindness’.
4. Help an Animal. Often forgotten, animals also feel cold, pain, hunger, and fear like every living creature.  I often carry around a bag of cat, dog, and bird food in my car to share with an animal in need such as a hungry homeless kitty on a cold night.  You many also do what Americans are wonderful at, donating to charities and there are many wonderful ones that support animals such as the Humane Society, ASPCA, your local shelter where you can volunteer, etc.  Oh, and a little toy to your own furry companion will make them happy (yes, sometimes it is the little things).  Catholics may know of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who preached sermons to animals during his lifetime.
5. Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation.  Sometimes the gift we should give to help others starts with us.  Loving-Kindness meditation allows you to create positive change within you of Friendliness (metta), Compassion (karuna), Appreciative Joy (mudita), and Equanimity (upekkha).  What a wonderful thing!  This meditation focuses on sending loving thoughts to a respected person (such as a teacher, so many Buddhists include the Buddha), a loved one (such as a family member or close friend), a neutral person (perhaps a cashier you don’t know), and a hostile person (someone you are having difficulty with).  Sharing the practice of loving-kindness with children helps them understand more about compassion and love for others, and not just about material things (Buddhanet has a great page about it).

What do you do during Christmas and the holiday season?  Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you!

I’ve made this infographic to talk very briefly about just two of the major topics known as The Four Noble Truths, and The Eightfold Path.    The Four Noble Truths explains what Buddha Siddhattha Gotama realized about life and the human condition after becoming enlightened.  He then explained how to lead a life without suffering or dissatisfaction by using the Eightfold Path (which would probably be called a ’8 Step Program’ in our modern world).  We will talk more in detail about these two topics (Four Noble Truths & Eightfold Path) in a later article, but for now enjoy the picture!

For Buddhists there are a few holidays which represent significant times in the Buddha’s life.  On December 8th, we celebrate the day Buddha achieved enlightenment on his 35th birthday nearly 2,500 years ago (‘Bodhi’ means enlightenment, so ‘Buddha’ means enlightened one).

What Exactly Are We Celebrating?

The historical Buddha (Prince Siddhartha Gautama), from whom we have the majority of our teachings, had a long struggle to achieve enlightenment or ‘Nirvana’.  He was determined to sit under a pipal tree (now known as a ‘Bodhi Tree’) and meditate until he discovered the source of pain and suffering in the world.  He silently vowed ”Even if my flesh and blood were to dry up, leaving only skin and bones, I will not leave this place until I find a way to end all sorrow.“¹

The Buddha was able through this meditation to discover the cause of all suffering (the Four Noble Truths) and how to cure it (the Eightfold Path), which became the foundation of  Buddhism.  If you wish to learn more about the life of the Buddha, and his path towards Enlightenment, check out “Life of the Buddha” on Buddhanet.net.

How Can I Celebrate?

In many Mahayana Buddhist countries, they decorate their homes or ficus tree with multi-colored lights to signify the many pathways to enlightenment².  Some even decorate their trees with shiny objects or leaves that look like that of the pipal (Bodhi) tree³ which can be a fun activity for children and the whole family.

For some Buddhists, we take the day to focus our commitment to the path by practicing longer meditation, performing acts of loving kindness for others, reading the Dhammapada, or chanting sutras.

You can even partake in a meal of milk-rice that the maiden Sujata offered to the future Buddha when he was weak from not eating, which was the turning point in helping him learn of the middle way.

How Will You Celebrate Bodhi Day?

Let me know in the comments how you will be celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment.  Will you practice loving kindness by helping people or animals?  Decorate?  I’d love to hear!

References

¹ http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/pbs2_unit03.htm 12/7/2011
² http://www.doityourself.com/stry/bodhi-day 12/7/2011
³ http://www.annarbor.com/passions-pursuits/is-christmas-any-less-christian-when-you-put-up-a-bodhi-day-tree/ 12/7/2011

Recently on the internet, I read a comment where someone said that the only way to learn anything (about Buddhism) is to have a master teacher show you the way.  That reminded me that I have heard that similar comment used time and again on the internet, in person, and in books.  So, do you really need a teacher?  What are the pros and cons?

First, Let’s Define a Buddhism Teacher

A teacher is one who is knowledgeable about the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), which are often found in a book called the Dhammapada.  Their goal should be both education about the Dharma, and to challenge your current ‘view’ of the world.  Both of which can help you towards your development in Buddhism.  Meditation is also a technique that often requires a teacher to assist you with performing correctly.

So let’s go over some reasons why you may, or may not, need a teacher:

Why you may NOT NEED a teacher:

• The Buddha Didn’t Have a Teacher to Gain Enlightenment
  The historical Buddha went and learned from many teachers, and different methods, in the beginning.  All of which led him to extremes and confusion.  The Buddha himself vowed to sit and meditate under a tree (now called the Bodhi tree) until he understood (englightenment).  The Buddha also learned from the greatest teacher of all, life.  His first excursions outside of his sheltered existence showed him both the Dukkha (dissatisfaction, sadness, unpleasantness, etc.) of life, and the human condition, which became his catalyst for change.
• To Become Enlightened
  A teacher, however, is not going to make you enlightened (a Buddha).  As the Buddha said, “By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one defiled. By oneself is evil left undone; by oneself is one made pure. Purity and impurity depended on oneself; no one can purify another.” (Dhammapada XII, verse 165)¹.  A teacher can help show you the way, but it’s all on you.  This also brings up another point, don’t fall for any teacher who says they are ‘enlightened’, because that means they are not.  Take a look (and example) at the current Dali Lama who refers to himself as a simple monk (and not the major religious Tibetan figure he is).
• Don’t Believe Everything You Teacher Says, Not Even the Buddha
  To quote the Dali Lama, “Buddha said my followers should not accept my teaching out of devotion but rather your own experiment. Even Buddha himself in order to get final enlightenment needs hard work. So investigate based on reason but through logical investigation. If something contradicts, in Buddha’s own words, then we have the right to reject that.”²
  
• It’s Already Explained
  The Buddha’s teachings, and the path you should take, are already listed in the Dhammapada which is widely available.
• There Are No Local Teachers
  In the Buddha’s day, everything was taught by word of mouth, and his teachings were not written down for about 200 years after his death.  This meant that having a teacher was imperative because of both illiteracy and access to the teachings.  But what if you don’t have access to a teacher in the traditional sense?  What if there is nobody around or you don’t like the available teachers?  The internet is here to help!  Nowadays you can access the Dhammapada on eReaders, the internet, printed books, etc.  Buddhanet features their impressive “Buddhist Studies” section at http://buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm.  Schools and teachers can also be easily found on their websites or social media, such as Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thầy) who has both his Plum Village website (http://www.plumvillage.org) and a new online monestary (http://pvom.org/).

Why you may NEED a teacher:

• The Buddha Became a Teacher
  What the Buddha learned, he wanted to pass on.  Although there were Buddhas before him, he was the first to teach others the path to enlightenment and create a monastic community (called the Sangha) so those who wished to devote themselves could.  Even in his final moments before death, he was asking if anyone had questions about his teachings.  And what a fabulous teacher he was as we continue to follow his teachings 2500 years after his death.
• Your Buddhist Sect Requires It
  You may be in a Buddhist sect, such as Zen, which requires a teacher based on their interpretation of the teachings.  A teacher also helps you understand some complex things, and further engages you to stop having a ‘wild’ or ‘monkey’ mind!  Something like that can’t be done alone, and meditation can only take you so far.  That being said, even those sects have had members who achieved enlightenment without the constant use of a teacher.
• Your Thinking Can Be Challenged
  Buddhism requires you to look at the world as it really is, rather than the vision we have of it.  So it is easy enough to stay ‘in the clouds’ without a teacher bringing us back down to reality.  Sometimes they do this by challenging our observations when we think that we ‘got it’, or by posing questions that make you think differently (Zen Buddhism does this with koans).  While you can practice Buddhism without a teacher, it’s almost impossible to challenge your own mind (it’s very skillful at deceiving you).
• It Helps People
  There is a reason we go to school and have teachers, because that is how the majority of people actually learn.  We can look at a book all day, but unless a teacher assists us we may never understand that math problem, or any other topic.  The same goes with Buddhism, having a teacher to assist and guide you along the path is a blessing.
• It’s More Than Being Book Smart
  The Buddha’s teachings are already listed in the Dhamampadda, which is widely available.  However it’s best to think of Buddhism more in the medical sense, than religious.  The Buddha can be thought of as the Doctor, Dukkha as the diagnosis with the prognosis being good, the Eightfold Path as the prescription, the Sangha (community) as the nursing staff, and all the people as the patients.³  Going at it alone can be like performing surgery on yourself with limited skill and knowledge.  You can find a great worldwide listing of Buddhist teachers here:  http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/

Parting Thoughts

No matter what choice you make in regards to a teacher, let this saying by Zen Master Linji stay with you:  ”If you meet the Buddha, kill him”.  He was talking symbolically, of course, eluding to the fact that when you think you finally “understand”, or have become enlightened, or an expert on Buddhism, you should kill that ‘thought’ because you don’t get it.  Those Zen masters really liked to make us think and reflect don’t they?  Which is maybe a good reason to have a Buddhism teacher after all.

References

¹ http://buddhism.about.com/od/findingatempleandsangha/a/teacherfine.htm (28 Nov 2011)
² http://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/compassion/ (28 Nov 2011)
³ http://www.blia.org/english/publications/booklet/pages/37.htm (28 Nov 2011)

If the Buddha was alive today, he might add one more to that quote…great Buddhism websites.  There are literally thousands of websites that relate to Buddhism, so it’s hard to find ones that are really helpful and top-notch.  Not to worry, just like the eightfold path, here is a list of the top five that you may want to check out.

1. Learning: BuddhaNet (www.buddhanet.net)
   This website has been around since 1996 and has a wealth of information for anyone who is interested in Buddhism.  If you are just starting out on the path, check out their Buddhist Studies page which gives plenty of information including a quick 5 minute introduction to Buddhism.  But there is plenty more from daily quotes, magazine, audio, ebooks, etc.  This is why BuddhaNet tops our #1 position.
   
   
2. Magazine: Tricycle (www.tricycle.com)
   No, this isn’t a kids website but that of a very popular Buddhist magazine of the same name.  You’ll find plenty of articles (this is a Magazine website after all) but other things you never expected.  There is a new community feature that allows you to talk to other like minded individuals, find out about upcoming retreats, and ‘trikeworthy’ items you should check out.  If you like the website, you might want to check out a subscription to their print magazine.
   
   
3. Group: Buddhist Peace Fellowship (www.bpf.org)
   If you are into social issues, this is the website (and group) for you.  Their primary goal is promoting non-violent socially engaged buddhism (you can learn more about that by clicking here).  Yes, you can change the world.
   
   
4. News: The Buddhist Channel (www.buddhistchannel.tv)
   Although not actually a “TV” station, this was the replacement for the old Buddhist News Network (BNN) and is the only site dedicated entirely to Buddhist news.  Yes, there are new technology out there that can create fancy pages of news on any topic, but this website is devoted to it.  Nicely organized based on what you would like to read about.
   
   
5. Books: Shambhala Publications (http://www.shambhala.com/)
   One of the biggest publishers of books on Buddhism (as well as other topics), this is a nice place to browse through all the Buddhist books they have and see if one (or more) interests you.  It’s always good to get a wide variety of thoughts and experiences along your way with Buddhism.

This is but a very small sampling of the many websites out there.  You can do a Google search for the kind of Buddhist website you are looking for, talk to friends in an online community for their recommendations, and even check out our #1′s online listing of different Buddhism websites (click here to view the list).  Do you have a favorite website?  Talk about it in the comments below!

What wasn’t immediately known was the months of secret negotiations, and a small gesture he made 15 years ago, was the key.

When former North Korean Dictator Kim Il-Sung passed away in 1994, President Clinton sent a condolence letter to his successor, his son Kim Jong-Il.  That small gesture paved the way for the release of the journalists.  According to a story by the New York Times, a former official said that freeing the journalists was a “reciprocal humanitarian gesture.”

The letter sent to Kim Jong-Il, which probably cost less than a dollar and a short time to write, had saved two women from horrific and unimaginable conditions.  It was Clinton’s unending efforts to promote international diplomacy, often in the simplest ways, which continues to lead his reputable perception in the world today.  In our personal lives we might call this “being the bigger person” when someone doesn’t like you by still being nice to them, in international politics it’s called being a leader.

Unfortunatley there has been some controversy about President Clinton performing this act of going to North Korea; some have implied that it has eroded our stance to not negotiate with terrorists (even though through almost all administrations and political parties this has been done) and that he met with that administration despite them recently insulting his wife, Secratary of State Hillary Clinton.  However we should look at this a different way, that what he did was doing the right thing.  Human life is sacred and should be saved at all costs, even if it means meeting with someone you don’t like.

In Buddhism, we are frequently reminded to “plant seeds of peace”.  What this means is that a small gesture of being nice to someone, opening a door for someone struggling with their hands full, a kind word, etc., will plant a seed of peace in that persons mind.  That seed can blossom in that person so they will react in kind and help to plant reciprocal seeds of peace into someone else.  To better illustrate this, imagine if you called a company was a problem and someone was rude and mean to you on the phone, they had planted seeds of hate in you rather than peace and your attitude may be altered that day which will affect others.

So, in effect, President Clinton planted a seed of peace in Kim Jong-Il that helped release those journalists.  Of course, the North Koreans are masters of negotiations and promoting their cause, but the final effect was that of happiness and peace.  For that, we can all be thankful.