Latest posts
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02 – The Noble Eightfold Path
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A Buddhist Mission Plan for Those on the Path
Key Takeaways 1. Introduction This is a mission plan for the path. It is written for you, the individual practitioner, whether you sit in meditation every morning or are just beginning to ask what Buddhism is about. It is a framework for aligning your life with the teachings of the Buddha, not as an abstract…
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Life Is Short, the Future Unknown: Why Practice Buddhism?
Key Takeaways 1. Introduction Life is short. This is one of the few facts that every human being shares, regardless of culture, religion, or personal philosophy. The Buddha did not avoid this truth. In the Paṭhamaāyusutta (SN 4.9), he told his monks that the lifespan of humans is short and that a long life is…
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Setting Intentions with the Buddhist Mindset
Key Takeaways 1. Introduction: Why Intention Matters Every morning, before we have even opened our eyes, the mind is already stirring with inclinations, tendencies, and impulses. Some are subtle, a vague sense of what the day might hold. Others are more pronounced – a specific plan, a worry, a hope. In Buddhist teaching, these movements…
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Winning, Losing, and the Buddhist Path: Victory and Defeat Across the Traditions
KeyTakeaways Introducotion “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” “Winning beats losing every time.” “Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser.” These three slogans, staples of twentieth century competitive culture, encode a theory of human worth. Victory is treated as close to the highest good available to a person. Defeat is…
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Emptiness (Śūnyatā) in Buddhism: 108 Contemplations
Introduction Emptiness, known as Suññatā in Pāli (Śūnyatā in Sanskrit), stands as one of the most profound and frequently misunderstood teachings in the entire Buddhist path. Far from denoting a bleak nothingness, Suññatā points to the absence of a fixed, independent, permanent essence in any person or phenomenon. The Buddha treated this teaching with such…
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The Six Qualities of a Harmonious Saṅgha
Key Takeaways 1. Introduction In an age of constant connectivity, many of us feel more isolated than ever. We navigate workplaces thick with competition, families pulled by diverging schedules and communities where neighbours remain strangers. The Buddha recognised that conflict, resentment and division obstruct both personal well-being and progress on the path. He taught that…
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Asalha Puja: The First Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma
Key Takeaways 1. Introduction Every year, millions of Buddhists around the world pause to remember a single afternoon in a quiet deer sanctuary over 2,500 years ago. A former prince turned wandering teacher had just walked a long road from the place of his awakening to find his five former companions. He sat down in…
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Ānāpānasati: The Art and Science of Mindfulness of Breathing
Key Takeaways 1. Introduction to Mindfulness of Breathing Mindfulness of Breathing [Ānāpānasati] is perhaps the most widely practiced form of meditation in the Buddhist tradition. At its core, it is the simple yet profound act of attending to the inhalation and exhalation of the breath. While it may appear basic, this practice serves as a…
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Understanding the Pāli Canon: The Foundation of Buddhist Wisdom
Key Takeaways 1. Introduction For anyone beginning a journey into Buddhist study, the sheer volume of teachings can feel overwhelming. You might encounter various concepts like mindfulness, ethics, or wisdom, but without understanding their source, it is difficult to see how they fit together. The Pāli Canon [Tipiṭaka] is the foundational map for this journey.…