Upcoming Class Announcement. The Dhammapada: Buddhism Unplugged. I’m teaching this class in November. Live on Zoom with the Rime Center Buddhist Community. It’s all online and it’s pay-what-you-can-afford, so if you’re interested, you should sign up. This is a classic text from the very beginning of the Buddhist tradition and…

Cultivating compassion benefits us and the world around us in many ways. Being compassionate: -motivates and inspires us -helps us deal with stress -helps us deal with loneliness inspires others to be compassionate Compassion is a worldview that can help us have the opportunity to be home anywhere and create…

Compassion is something that we all agree is important. It’s fundamental to all religions and systems of virtue. We all agree that it’s important, but at the same time we so often and clearly fall short of really trying to embody it. …

“All the sufferings of the lower realms, so extremely difficult to bear, Are taught by the Sage to be the fruit of one’s evil actions. Therefore, it is the practice of bodhisattvas To constantly refrain from evil actions, even at the cost of one’s life.” -the 37 Practices of a…

“Bound, themselves, in the prison of samsara, Whom are the worldly gods able to protect? Therefore, it is the practice of the bodhisattvas To go for refuge in the three unfailing jewels.” -the 37 practices of a bodhisattva, verse 7* Samsara means suffering. Actually, samsara doesn’t mean suffering. But that…

“When relying on the sacred spiritual friend, our faults become exhausted And our good qualities increase like the waxing moon. It is the practice of bodhisattvas to value such a sacred spiritual friend As more precious than their own body.” -The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, verse 6.* What is…

“If, while befriending someone, the three poisons increase, The activities of study, reflection, and meditation degenerate, And love and compassion disappear, Then it is the practice of the bodhisattvas to give up this company.” -The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, verse 4. * The motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “You’re…

“Separated from each and every long-awaited companion, Leaving behind hard-earned wealth and possessions, Guest-like consciousness abandons its guesthouse, the body; To give up concern for this life is the practice of the bodhisattvas.” the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. Verse 4.* No matter what it is, no matter how much…

I learned that Lama Chuck Stanford has passed away. I was not close with Chuck Stanford but his death has affected me. I’m not writing this because my friend died. He wasn’t my friend. He was my first Buddhist teacher. He was the first Buddhist teacher of many people in…