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I suppose if I’m going to write a blog subtitled ‘Thoughts as I attempt to walk the Buddha's Eightfold Path" I should, at some point, talk about what the Eightfold Path actually is.
When the Buddha taught, 2500 years ago, nobody was writing anything down. Even though people had much better memories back then than they do now, it still helped with the memorization if thoughts were organized in some way. So, whether the Buddha taught it that way or not (we think he did), today the Buddha’s teaching is all outlined in eight steps.
When I say steps, you have to realize that it’s not like a path with a beginning, eight steps, and then an end. Instead it’s more like eight flagstones in a circle. You walk round and round them, each time understanding a bit more, and sometimes you hop from one, across the circle, to another. It’s more of an eight-knotted-net than a clear path, but it is also a path in the sense that we walk it for life (or lives …). So, having said that, I’ll go through them in order, but bear in mind that there actually is no order to them.
In this post, I’ll simply list them. In further posts, I’ll get more into what each one is. For now, here’s the framework:
1. Right Understanding (knowing how the world works)
2. Right Intention (resolving to act skillfully)
3. Right Speech (speaking well)
4. Right Action (doing the right thing, on three levels)
5. Right Livelihood (making a living ethically)
6. Right Effort (four skillful ways to exert effort)
7. Right Mindfulness (being aware, in this moment, with acceptance)
8. Right Concentration (dwelling skillfully in mental/emotional attitude)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Three Treasures
For quite a few years now, I have been earnestly repeating what is probably one of the most common recitations in all of Buddhism - The Three Treasures. It goes like this (in our lineage):
I take refuge in Buddha, and resolve that with all beings I will understand the great way whereby the Buddha-seed may forever thrive.
I take refuge in Dharma, and resolve that with all beings I will enter deeply into the sutra treasure, whereby my wisdom may grow as vast as the ocean.
I take refuge in Sangha, and in it's wisdom, example and never failing help, and resolve to live in harmony with all beings.
Sounds weird, doesn't it?
I was raised in the west, my parent's were Christian as were most of my friends. Growing up, I didn't know any Buddhists (at least, if I did, they weren't saying). So why would I grow up and begin to repeat something so odd and foreign?
I have to admit that when I started practice, I didn't really 'get it'. The Three Treasures sounded weird to me then too. However, as I learned some Buddhist 'lingo' it became at least intelligible, even though it was still kind of weird. Buddha, of course, usually refers to 'The Buddha', the guy (just a guy, not a God or anything, just a guy) who figured out a way to become happy. So, I guessed, I was kind of taking refuge in him. Whatever that meant.
The Dharma is the body of teaching that he created through his life, recorded in the sutras. There are a lot of sutras (the Buddha taught for decades). If you collect them all they take up a fairly well-sized bookcase. So, I guessed I was kind of taking refuge in that too.
Finally, the Sangha is the group of people who follow the Buddha’s teaching. It's sort of the Buddhist word for 'congregation'. So … wha? …taking refuge?
I was still lost. I still didn't get it. How can I 'take refuge' in a dead fat guy, and what he taught, and all the people who decided to follow his teachings? What's up with that? It didn’t make any sense. Then, I gradually began to realize that there were other meanings, other shades, to the words Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Buddha actually means 'awake'. That's why they called him ‘the Buddha’, he was 'the guy who was awake' (i.e. wise). So taking refuge in Buddha, means taking refuge in being aware, being mindful, being awake. I could see that a bit more. I'm saying that I think it's important to stay aware and mindful instead of daydreaming or dipping into all those psychologically unhealthy habits like denial, repression, transference, and stuff like that. I'll stay here, in this reality, right here, right now. That strikes me as a good idea. I'll buy that.
Dharma not only means the Buddha's teaching, it also means 'the truth'. If you punch a wall, you're hand hurts - that's Dharma (whether you're Buddhist or not). Its just reality - the way things are. Dharma. So I'm taking refuge in reality as it really is, I'm accepting the insight I gain into reality and using that insight as my base camp for deeper exploration into reality, and so on, and so on, more and more insight, deeper and deeper into reality. Sounds good.
Finally Sangha. Sangha means not only all the Buddhists, but everyone. If, as Buddhism teaches, we are all 'not-two', then how can we split the population into any sort of 'us' and 'them'? There's no true difference between me and a 'not Buddhist'. None at all. So I'm taking refuge in the connection I have with all the other people (‘Buddhist’ or no), as well as all the other animals, rocks, trees, dust... everything. I'm taking refuge in the harmony that flows between this 'me' and everything else.
So another way to think of the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) is to re-label them as 'Awareness, Insight and Harmony'. When we are aware, we gain insight. When we integrate that insight into our life, we find more harmony. Each day, you could say that I am actually saying:
I take refuge in awareness, and resolve that with all beings I will understand the path through which we may become more aware of reality.
I take refuge in insight, and resolve that with all beings I will enter deeply into the wisdom that the universe presents to all of us, when we pay attention.
I take refuge in inter-being harmony, and resolve that I will enter into, and learn from this harmony, and work to enhance that harmony so that all beings may benefit.
OK, so now it's getting to a point where it actually sort of makes sense, except for one thing. What about this 'refuge' thing? Taking refuge? What exactly am I taking refuge from? When I think of 'taking refuge' I think of getting out of the rain, or running into my countries consulate when I'm being attacked in a foreign country (or maybe running into a church when I'm being chased my vampires). But none of that is happening right now, so what am I taking refuge from?
From unhappiness. From that dread feeling in my gut that I'm not good enough. From depression, anxiety, sloth, mania, cynicism, ennui, anger, greed, and all the other thought-feelings that arise within me and cause me to be unhappy.
How does that work? (I hear you ask). Well, when one of these "unhappymaking" sensations arises within me, what should I do?
Usually, I try to escape them. I like potato chips a lot. I can easily lose an evening on the TV, if I'm really frustrated I could get away from the frustration that way. Or I could have a few drinks to take the edge off. The edge off what? Why, the unhappiness of course. Or I could sit and think about sex for a while (OK, hours actually), and then go do it, and then sit and think about how fun that was. Or I could take refuge in a hot bath. Mmmmm. Love those. With a good book. Great refuge. Really, there are an almost infinite sort of 'refuges' I could take.
But what the Buddha taught way back then (and what many stress therapist today teach) is that avoidance doesn't work. You can try 'taking refuge' in escapism, but at the end of the day, it just ain't gonna work. You've got to face whatever mess you're in. And that means sitting in it.
Angry? Bored? Sad? Frustrated? Good. Be frustrated. Don't go fanning the flames and building up the frustration to a maniacal rage. And don’t deny it, or try and push it away. Don’t be like those people who, with red faces and clenched fists scream “I’M NOT ANGRY, DAMMIT!”
Just allow yourself to be as frustrated as you actually are. Just watch it, the way you’d watch leaves drift down a slow river. With a “that’s interesting” sort of mind. With the same sort of approach you’d have if I asked you to sit still and watch your mind carefully, asking “I wonder what the next thought that comes into my mind will be”? Look for the tension in your guts, or your chest, or the back of your arms. Where is it? What does it feel like? If you tried to describe it, what words would you use? Crushing? Burning? Squeezing? Knotting? Just watch it.
A student once asked a Zen teacher if he ever got angry, and the teacher said “Oh yes, of course I do”. Surprised, the student asked ‘Well, what do you do”? And the teacher said, “I agree.”
I remember once getting really nailed by life. Something was happening that I just did not want to face. I couldn’t face it. I was panicked. There was just no way that I could take it, like a claustrophobe being wrapped up in a carpet with their arms tucked in, and someone sitting on top of them tickling there nose with a feather. AHHHHH!
But the problem was, I was really nailed. There was nothing I could do about it, there was absolutely no escape. So I just had to lie there, wrapped up in my metaphorical carpet, taking it.
It took about 4 hours or so, but the panic that I had been running away from, over and over again, for most of my life arose, lingered, and then – shockingly to me! – dissipated. Like a bad fart in an elevator.
Hey! What do you know! It’s just a sensation, and they AREN’T REAL. All the panic, all the years of fear, they were just an illusion. Sure, it’s uncomfortable. I’d rather NOT be wrapped up in a carpet, but you know, if it happens again – I’ll survive. The panic is gone, and now, each time it happens, it bugs me less and less. One day I’ll be blasé about the whole thing (not today yet, though).
Gradually, I’m learning to ease into my ‘unhappymaking’ sensations the way I’ve learned to ease in to a hot bath, or the way I’ve learned to relax when I have to pee. Just relax, just let be. It’s OK.
If I remain aware of what is going on, watching it instead of mentally escaping, then I learn stuff (like the fact that there really isn’t anything to be afraid of, when I thought there really was), and by acting on that stuff I learn how to flow with life more, how to let the guy beside me in the elevator fart without screaming “OH GOD! NOOOOO!” It’s just a fart. These things happen, and it’s OK (though not great). That’s harmony.
So what I’m saying every day when I recite the Three Treasures is that I’m going to pay attention. I’m going to learn from what happens to me, and I’m going to use what I learn to become a better person. Not only for my sake, but for everyone’s sake. I take refuge in the Three Treasures: awareness, insight and harmony. I take refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
How odd. How wonderful!
Wouldn’t you like it if your kids grew up and did that?
I take refuge in Buddha, and resolve that with all beings I will understand the great way whereby the Buddha-seed may forever thrive.
I take refuge in Dharma, and resolve that with all beings I will enter deeply into the sutra treasure, whereby my wisdom may grow as vast as the ocean.
I take refuge in Sangha, and in it's wisdom, example and never failing help, and resolve to live in harmony with all beings.
Sounds weird, doesn't it?
I was raised in the west, my parent's were Christian as were most of my friends. Growing up, I didn't know any Buddhists (at least, if I did, they weren't saying). So why would I grow up and begin to repeat something so odd and foreign?
I have to admit that when I started practice, I didn't really 'get it'. The Three Treasures sounded weird to me then too. However, as I learned some Buddhist 'lingo' it became at least intelligible, even though it was still kind of weird. Buddha, of course, usually refers to 'The Buddha', the guy (just a guy, not a God or anything, just a guy) who figured out a way to become happy. So, I guessed, I was kind of taking refuge in him. Whatever that meant.
The Dharma is the body of teaching that he created through his life, recorded in the sutras. There are a lot of sutras (the Buddha taught for decades). If you collect them all they take up a fairly well-sized bookcase. So, I guessed I was kind of taking refuge in that too.
Finally, the Sangha is the group of people who follow the Buddha’s teaching. It's sort of the Buddhist word for 'congregation'. So … wha? …taking refuge?
I was still lost. I still didn't get it. How can I 'take refuge' in a dead fat guy, and what he taught, and all the people who decided to follow his teachings? What's up with that? It didn’t make any sense. Then, I gradually began to realize that there were other meanings, other shades, to the words Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Buddha actually means 'awake'. That's why they called him ‘the Buddha’, he was 'the guy who was awake' (i.e. wise). So taking refuge in Buddha, means taking refuge in being aware, being mindful, being awake. I could see that a bit more. I'm saying that I think it's important to stay aware and mindful instead of daydreaming or dipping into all those psychologically unhealthy habits like denial, repression, transference, and stuff like that. I'll stay here, in this reality, right here, right now. That strikes me as a good idea. I'll buy that.
Dharma not only means the Buddha's teaching, it also means 'the truth'. If you punch a wall, you're hand hurts - that's Dharma (whether you're Buddhist or not). Its just reality - the way things are. Dharma. So I'm taking refuge in reality as it really is, I'm accepting the insight I gain into reality and using that insight as my base camp for deeper exploration into reality, and so on, and so on, more and more insight, deeper and deeper into reality. Sounds good.
Finally Sangha. Sangha means not only all the Buddhists, but everyone. If, as Buddhism teaches, we are all 'not-two', then how can we split the population into any sort of 'us' and 'them'? There's no true difference between me and a 'not Buddhist'. None at all. So I'm taking refuge in the connection I have with all the other people (‘Buddhist’ or no), as well as all the other animals, rocks, trees, dust... everything. I'm taking refuge in the harmony that flows between this 'me' and everything else.
So another way to think of the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) is to re-label them as 'Awareness, Insight and Harmony'. When we are aware, we gain insight. When we integrate that insight into our life, we find more harmony. Each day, you could say that I am actually saying:
I take refuge in awareness, and resolve that with all beings I will understand the path through which we may become more aware of reality.
I take refuge in insight, and resolve that with all beings I will enter deeply into the wisdom that the universe presents to all of us, when we pay attention.
I take refuge in inter-being harmony, and resolve that I will enter into, and learn from this harmony, and work to enhance that harmony so that all beings may benefit.
OK, so now it's getting to a point where it actually sort of makes sense, except for one thing. What about this 'refuge' thing? Taking refuge? What exactly am I taking refuge from? When I think of 'taking refuge' I think of getting out of the rain, or running into my countries consulate when I'm being attacked in a foreign country (or maybe running into a church when I'm being chased my vampires). But none of that is happening right now, so what am I taking refuge from?
From unhappiness. From that dread feeling in my gut that I'm not good enough. From depression, anxiety, sloth, mania, cynicism, ennui, anger, greed, and all the other thought-feelings that arise within me and cause me to be unhappy.
How does that work? (I hear you ask). Well, when one of these "unhappymaking" sensations arises within me, what should I do?
Usually, I try to escape them. I like potato chips a lot. I can easily lose an evening on the TV, if I'm really frustrated I could get away from the frustration that way. Or I could have a few drinks to take the edge off. The edge off what? Why, the unhappiness of course. Or I could sit and think about sex for a while (OK, hours actually), and then go do it, and then sit and think about how fun that was. Or I could take refuge in a hot bath. Mmmmm. Love those. With a good book. Great refuge. Really, there are an almost infinite sort of 'refuges' I could take.
But what the Buddha taught way back then (and what many stress therapist today teach) is that avoidance doesn't work. You can try 'taking refuge' in escapism, but at the end of the day, it just ain't gonna work. You've got to face whatever mess you're in. And that means sitting in it.
Angry? Bored? Sad? Frustrated? Good. Be frustrated. Don't go fanning the flames and building up the frustration to a maniacal rage. And don’t deny it, or try and push it away. Don’t be like those people who, with red faces and clenched fists scream “I’M NOT ANGRY, DAMMIT!”
Just allow yourself to be as frustrated as you actually are. Just watch it, the way you’d watch leaves drift down a slow river. With a “that’s interesting” sort of mind. With the same sort of approach you’d have if I asked you to sit still and watch your mind carefully, asking “I wonder what the next thought that comes into my mind will be”? Look for the tension in your guts, or your chest, or the back of your arms. Where is it? What does it feel like? If you tried to describe it, what words would you use? Crushing? Burning? Squeezing? Knotting? Just watch it.
A student once asked a Zen teacher if he ever got angry, and the teacher said “Oh yes, of course I do”. Surprised, the student asked ‘Well, what do you do”? And the teacher said, “I agree.”
I remember once getting really nailed by life. Something was happening that I just did not want to face. I couldn’t face it. I was panicked. There was just no way that I could take it, like a claustrophobe being wrapped up in a carpet with their arms tucked in, and someone sitting on top of them tickling there nose with a feather. AHHHHH!
But the problem was, I was really nailed. There was nothing I could do about it, there was absolutely no escape. So I just had to lie there, wrapped up in my metaphorical carpet, taking it.
It took about 4 hours or so, but the panic that I had been running away from, over and over again, for most of my life arose, lingered, and then – shockingly to me! – dissipated. Like a bad fart in an elevator.
Hey! What do you know! It’s just a sensation, and they AREN’T REAL. All the panic, all the years of fear, they were just an illusion. Sure, it’s uncomfortable. I’d rather NOT be wrapped up in a carpet, but you know, if it happens again – I’ll survive. The panic is gone, and now, each time it happens, it bugs me less and less. One day I’ll be blasé about the whole thing (not today yet, though).
Gradually, I’m learning to ease into my ‘unhappymaking’ sensations the way I’ve learned to ease in to a hot bath, or the way I’ve learned to relax when I have to pee. Just relax, just let be. It’s OK.
If I remain aware of what is going on, watching it instead of mentally escaping, then I learn stuff (like the fact that there really isn’t anything to be afraid of, when I thought there really was), and by acting on that stuff I learn how to flow with life more, how to let the guy beside me in the elevator fart without screaming “OH GOD! NOOOOO!” It’s just a fart. These things happen, and it’s OK (though not great). That’s harmony.
So what I’m saying every day when I recite the Three Treasures is that I’m going to pay attention. I’m going to learn from what happens to me, and I’m going to use what I learn to become a better person. Not only for my sake, but for everyone’s sake. I take refuge in the Three Treasures: awareness, insight and harmony. I take refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
How odd. How wonderful!
Wouldn’t you like it if your kids grew up and did that?
To Be Happy
I've been practicing Buddhism for well over half my life now, and I'm still pressed when I try to boil down the teaching to something simple and understandable. Would it be mindfulness? compassion? wisdom? I don't know. If I had to explain what I'm doing to someone, where would I even start?
Over time I've been playing with the idea that if I wanted a starting point to explain my practice to someone else, and what it is about Zen Buddhsm that 'turns me on', it could be the phrase "All beings want to be happy". It sounds very simplistic, and obvious - but aren't axioms supposed to be like that?
I want to be happy. Whenever I do something - anything - my motivation can always be traced back to the fact that I want to be happy. Why do I get out of bed and go to work? Because I like what I do and I need the money. Why do I need the money? Because I want to eat and be able to take care of people who depend on me, and to not be a burden on others. Why do I want that? Because if I didn't have it, I wouldn't be satisfied. It would bug me. I wouldn't be happy.
Similarly, I can trace anything I do back to that motivation. Why do I eat too much at a restaurant? Because I think that the food will make me happy. Why do I buy the latest whiz-bang-everything cell phone? Because it's cool, and cool makes me happy (or at least, I think it will).
So what it boils down to is that my motivation in life is to be happy, and I think that's true for all of us. I can't say that that's true for sure, but I kind of suspect it is. I think all beings want to be happy. Even when we do stupid things, like hurt each other, we do it because we think that, ultimately, it will make us happy.
I think that when we are first unleashed on the world, we figure the things that are going to make us happy are the obvious ones: food, sex, sleep, hot baths, chocolate - all that sort of stuff. However, as we grow and mature we learn that sensory pleasure (although very nice!) can't really bring us happiness. So, I think it's natural to next turn to worldly success. We want to be powerful, or successful, or accomplished - call it what you will. We want to prove to ourselves and to others that we have what it takes to do well in this world. I think that's a good and worthwhile goal (as long as we're not being mean to others), but in the end it's not enough on it's own either. So then we learn that there is such a thing as other people, and making them happy is one of the best ways to make ourselves happy. To paraphrase an old TV character "it's nice to be nice". It really is, but it's not enough.
Eventually we realize that we are our own worst enemy when it comes to happiness (and our own best friend too). Our happiness is up to us, it's all about what we do in our mind. I read a book once and a person who had never been on a Buddhist retreat was getting ready for his first one. He spoke to an experience Buddhist friend and told him he was getting ready for his first retreat and the friend said something like "Good luck. The first three days are going to be like being locked in a phone booth with a maniac". It's our minds that make the noise. It's our minds that make us happy or not.
So how would I explain it all? I guess I would start off by saying that 'all beings want to be happy' and that, in the end, whether we actually are happy is up to us, and what we do with our minds. At least, this is what the Buddha taught and, so far in my life, it seems to me that he was right.
Over time I've been playing with the idea that if I wanted a starting point to explain my practice to someone else, and what it is about Zen Buddhsm that 'turns me on', it could be the phrase "All beings want to be happy". It sounds very simplistic, and obvious - but aren't axioms supposed to be like that?
I want to be happy. Whenever I do something - anything - my motivation can always be traced back to the fact that I want to be happy. Why do I get out of bed and go to work? Because I like what I do and I need the money. Why do I need the money? Because I want to eat and be able to take care of people who depend on me, and to not be a burden on others. Why do I want that? Because if I didn't have it, I wouldn't be satisfied. It would bug me. I wouldn't be happy.
Similarly, I can trace anything I do back to that motivation. Why do I eat too much at a restaurant? Because I think that the food will make me happy. Why do I buy the latest whiz-bang-everything cell phone? Because it's cool, and cool makes me happy (or at least, I think it will).
So what it boils down to is that my motivation in life is to be happy, and I think that's true for all of us. I can't say that that's true for sure, but I kind of suspect it is. I think all beings want to be happy. Even when we do stupid things, like hurt each other, we do it because we think that, ultimately, it will make us happy.
I think that when we are first unleashed on the world, we figure the things that are going to make us happy are the obvious ones: food, sex, sleep, hot baths, chocolate - all that sort of stuff. However, as we grow and mature we learn that sensory pleasure (although very nice!) can't really bring us happiness. So, I think it's natural to next turn to worldly success. We want to be powerful, or successful, or accomplished - call it what you will. We want to prove to ourselves and to others that we have what it takes to do well in this world. I think that's a good and worthwhile goal (as long as we're not being mean to others), but in the end it's not enough on it's own either. So then we learn that there is such a thing as other people, and making them happy is one of the best ways to make ourselves happy. To paraphrase an old TV character "it's nice to be nice". It really is, but it's not enough.
Eventually we realize that we are our own worst enemy when it comes to happiness (and our own best friend too). Our happiness is up to us, it's all about what we do in our mind. I read a book once and a person who had never been on a Buddhist retreat was getting ready for his first one. He spoke to an experience Buddhist friend and told him he was getting ready for his first retreat and the friend said something like "Good luck. The first three days are going to be like being locked in a phone booth with a maniac". It's our minds that make the noise. It's our minds that make us happy or not.
So how would I explain it all? I guess I would start off by saying that 'all beings want to be happy' and that, in the end, whether we actually are happy is up to us, and what we do with our minds. At least, this is what the Buddha taught and, so far in my life, it seems to me that he was right.
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