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The Sangha in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Introduction The Sangha (Saṅgha in Pāli) is the third of the Three Jewels (Tiratana), the supreme refuge for all who follow the path laid out by the Buddha (the Awakened One). The term Sangha literally means “assembly,” “community,” or “harmonious gathering,” and it signifies the living tradition of those who have dedicated themselves to realizing…
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The Dharma in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Note: This article draws primarily on the Pāli Canon (the earliest recorded teachings of the Buddha) as preserved in the Theravāda tradition. While the Dharma is expressed in many forms across Buddhist traditions, these contemplations focus on the foundational teachings common to all. Introduction The Dharma (Pali: Dhamma) stands as the second of the Three…
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Compassion in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Introduction to Compassion in Buddhism Compassion (Karuna in Pāli) stands as one of the most essential and transformative qualities in the entire Buddhist path. It is the heartfelt yearning for all beings to be free from suffering, coupled with the active intention to alleviate that suffering wherever possible. Unlike ordinary pity, which can create distance…
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The Life of the Buddha in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Author’s Note: Many events in the Buddha’s life are recorded across the early Pāli Canon, while others come from ancient commentaries and traditional biographies. This article presents the traditional Buddhist narrative while grounding it in early canonical sources where available, and distinguishing commentarial material where appropriate. Introduction The life of the Buddha, Siddhattha Gotama, stands…
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Not-Self in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Introduction The Buddhist teaching of Not-self (Pāli: Anattā) stands as one of the most distinctive and transformative insights in the Buddha’s Dharma. Unlike many spiritual traditions that posit an eternal, unchanging soul or essence (Attā), Buddhism reveals that what we conventionally call “self” is actually a dynamic, ever-changing process devoid of any permanent, independent core.…
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Impermanence in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Introduction Impermanence is the foundational insight of the Buddha’s teaching, the truth that unlocks the door to liberation. It is the universal law that all conditioned things, whether physical phenomena, mental states, or living beings, are in a constant state of flux, arising, persisting for a brief moment, and then ceasing. This fundamental characteristic of…
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Suffering (Dukkha) in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Introduction Suffering, Dukkha in Pāli, stands as the first and most foundational truth that the Buddha revealed to the world. The word itself carries profound meaning: traditionally, it is explained through the metaphor of a poorly fitting axle hole of a wheel, suggesting that which grinds and creaks as it turns, unable to run smoothly.…
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108 Buddhist Contemplations on Delusion in the Digital Age
Introduction: Delusion (moha) , together with greed (lobha) and hatred (dosa) , forms the three unwholesome roots that perpetuate suffering. Delusion fundamentally obscures the mind’s ability to see reality clearly, it is not mere ignorance of facts but a deep misperception that distorts all experience. In the context of the digital age, where screens and…
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108 Contemplations on Loving-Kindness (Metta)
108 Contemplations on Loving-Kindness (Metta): A Guide The number 108 holds symbolic significance in later Buddhist traditions, often associated with the 108 defilements or earthly desires that beings must overcome. In this spirit, we present 108 contemplations on loving-kindness, a systematic exploration of the heart’s most sublime quality. Loving-kindness, known as Metta [mettā] in Pali,…
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108 Buddhist Contemplations on Hatred or Aversion (Dosa)
Introduction: Understanding the Poison of Hatred Within the core framework of Buddhist psychology, hatred, known in Pali as dosa, is identified as one of the Three Poisons (lobha, dosa, moha) that perpetuate suffering and bind beings to the cycle of samsara. More than a passing emotion, dosa is a fundamental mental state of aversion: a…