 In this issue:
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Daily Contemplation
Pam Steinbach
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“Although we Buddhists talk about realization a lot, that is not our true goal. Our true goal is to free sentient beings from suffering...Our own enlightenment is the best and surest way to equip us to do that.”
- Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
Why do I read "The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva" each day? Initially because my root teacher, Garchen Rinpoche, told me to, so I keep it as a pledge out of devotion to and confidence in him. But it keeps proving to be a valuable contemplation of Dharma. Written by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo in the 14th Century, it is based on Shantideva’s "The Way of the Bodhisattva," Atisha's lojong teachings, other ancient Buddhist texts, and thirty years of contemplation by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo in retreat.
Over the years of reading this little book of pith instructions said to point to the whole of the Buddha's teaching, these phrases have challenged how far virtue, depth of compassion, and wisdom go, and it just doesn't stop offering all of that. These phrases can seem fresh and new as one sees them in light of what one has been avoiding or is blind to which, like everything, changes and can be seen anew. The phrases are confusing but there are many commentaries to help. I committed a couple of years to teach them one by one. As I look back at those notes, I find my understanding was rather shallow. I have more to realize.
The homage at the beginning of "The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva" is to Chenrezig/Avalokiteshvara/Avalokita, which is the embodiment of compassion, "having seen that all phenomena neither come nor go.” We came into this world with a material body, and we cling to it as ourselves. Eventually the body starts to break down, and we are surprised. Even our two-year-old grandson just learning to use a potty chair is appalled to learn his body leaks. Eventually, we may have little control over most of our own body. In our ingrained material view, we grasp and try to make ourselves and all we love and cherish solid, unchanging and separate, and under our command. We shore up wealth and possessions and hope for protection. It doesn’t work.
#22 of "The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva": “Not to create in the mind the signs of grasped-at and grasping is the bodhisattva’s practice."
In a mind without dualistic reference to self and other, this and that, we can experience that empty clarity of no coming nor going. But it doesn’t come through words in a book, a newsletter article, or the internet. It is glimpsed through direct seeing with a quiet, still mind in meditation. We can supplement and enhance what we realize through open-minded discussion and contemplation.
We assume pre-fabricated things roll into our world and occasionally see things roll out. We don’t see the inseparable interdependent nature of this dream-like world. We don’t even see it is all impermanent. Loved ones will part, possessions will be left behind, and consciousness will leave this guesthouse and likely check into another guesthouse that also includes loss. How very sad.
Thus compassion/Chenrezig arises for our confused and suffering self and others so the homage continues with “strive for the sake of all beings.” We suffer because of ignorance and grasping to what cannot be held onto. This is the teaching of the Four Noble Truths. Compassion is the antidote to this self-clinging. Not experiencing empty clarity - about which little can be said but only experienced - we suffer and so compassion for all that suffering in ourselves and others arises.
You can see how wisdom (seeing clear, empty, ultimate nature) and compassion (indiscriminate love for all beings) are two wings of practice. Wisdom and compassion rely on each other and are practiced in meditation and post meditation teaching us either on or off the meditation cushion or chair.
"There is not a single buddha who has not relied on love and compassion to attain buddhahood."
- Garchen Rinpoche
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We have been having fun, friendly, insightful discussions with graduates from our Introduction to Buddhism classes which includes over 50 people. The actual number of participants who attend fits in the welcome room for casual inclusion. If it expands, we will sit in a circle someplace. Having a foundation from the class, we have a common understanding to guide our conversations on the second Wednesday of the month. We meet at 6:30 PM and end around 8:00 PM. A notice will be posted on the website, in the newsletter, and announced at Tuesday gatherings - but your own calendar works best of all. We will offer another Introduction to Buddhism class this winter and, yes, you can take the class more than once. They are a little different each time and guided by discussion.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Contact any board member and let them know if you appreciate something that is being offered, or if you would like us to consider adding something to our offerings.
The Board of Directors for IMFW, which is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization:
Drew Consalvo, Guiding Teacher
Deb O’Kelly, President of the Board
Dora Rogers, Secretary
Monica Cardenas, Treasurer
Tammy Dyer, Teacher emerita
Matthew Katinsky
David Clough
Our mission is to create and foster a community dedicated to alleviating suffering through the study and practice of Insight meditation drawing from Buddhist teachings.
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