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Thread: Buddha-Basics (Part V) — Aspiring Right

  1. #1

    Buddha-Basics (Part V) — Aspiring Right



    The second spoke of the wheel of the “Eightfold Path” is “Right Intention” — also expressed as Right Aspiration, Right Thought, or A Will to the Truth

    Now there are Buddhas, and there are Deluded Beings, and some say it will take so many lifetimes for us to become those Perfect Buddhas we aspire to be. Maybe so. But I believe that each of us can aspire, and can realize, so much of our Wise and Compassionate Buddha-ness even in this short life.

    Indeed, “Right Aspiration” is our seeking, as best we can, for wholesome conduct through a commitment to Practice and the Buddha’s Teachings. We aim to live in a way, as we can, which softens and frees us from so much of the dissatisfaction (Dukkha) brought about by inner desire and craving, while embracing life “just as it is.” We aspire to see the world more and more through a Buddha’s eyes and understanding, even though our deluded eyes are sometimes clouded over. We seek as best we can (and though sometimes falling down) to nurture good will and loving-kindness, reducing feelings of anger and aversion. We aspire to the avoidance of harm through thoughts, words or deeds, and to the development of Compassion.

    The Four Vows, as we recite them in our Treeleaf Sangha, hold these aspirations though they are never (for now, at least) perfectly accomplished:

    To save all sentient beings, though beings numberless
    To transform all delusions, though delusions inexhaustible
    To perceive Reality, though Reality is boundless
    To attain the Enlightened Way, a Way non-attainable


    In other words: “‘Right Intention” is just the will to live, as best we can, a peaceful, wise, compassionate, healthful, and non-harmful life — at one with life and the world as-they-are — through our Buddhist Practice.

    Though not yet “Perfect Buddhas” … as the years go by, the sittings of Zazen go by, we do get better at it all!

    CLICK HERE for today’s Sit-A-Long video.



    Remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 15 to 35 minutes is recommended.
    Last edited by Jundo; 03-21-2020 at 03:39 PM.

  2. #2
    Treeleaf Unsui Shugen's Avatar
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    Redding California USA
    Gassho,

    Shugen

    #sattoday
    Meido Shugen
    明道 修眼

  3. #3


    Gassho
    Lisa
    sat today

  4. #4
    Gassho

    Dave

    sat today

  5. #5
    Gassho


    ..sat2day•

  6. #6

  7. #7
    Gassho

    Rob
    Sat today


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Thank you Jundo.

    Gassho,
    John Miller
    Sat Today

  9. #9

  10. #10
    Thank you Jundo, gassho

    David
    SatToday

  11. #11
    Thank you, Jundo.

    Gassho

    Teiro

    Sat today
    Teiro

  12. #12
    Thank you, Jundo, for this teachings.
    Gassho,
    Mateus
    Sat today

  13. #13
    These talks are very helpful, thank you.

    Gassho,
    Wuyi
    Sat/LAH
    無依 Mui
    "Relies on Nothing"

  14. #14
    Really amazing, As I have a new view on "Right Intention" and the substantial meaning behind the four vows.

    Very grateful these videos are available.

    Gassho,

    Ippo

    SatToday

  15. #15
    Is The Four Vows as recited in our Treeleaf Sangha originated from the followings:
    四弘誓願〉(眾生無邊誓願度,煩惱無盡誓願斷;法門無量誓願學,佛道無上誓願成. It is similar in meaning but not quite the same. Just curious.

    Gassho,
    Koutoku
    SAT
    Koutoku

  16. #16
    Hi Koutoku,

    Chinese: 四弘誓願〉 眾生無邊誓願度,煩惱無盡誓願斷;法門無量誓願學,佛道無上誓願成

    Japanese 四弘誓願文) 衆生無邊誓願度 煩惱無盡誓願斷 法門無量誓願學 佛道無上誓願成

    Same! (The first Kanji is the same too, just a variant writing: https://jisho.org/search/%E7%9C%BE%20%23kanji )

    Why do you say that they are not quite the same in meaning? Now, they can be read or interpreted various ways. For example, we have "To attain the Enlightened Way, a Way non-attainable" while some translators may interpret 無上 as "unsurpassable" or "supreme" or the like in English. 佛道 literally means "Buddha Way" rather than "Enlightened Way," but not so different.

    Gassho, Jundo

    STLah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  17. #17
    Gassho

    It’s about what’s good enough

    LAH
    Sat today
    Gassho
    Jen [tranquility]

  18. #18
    Thank you.

    Right intention- "Pulling weeds and planting Flowers."

    Sat Today

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