Why do we pray for Enlightened Beings to remain in this world, surely they are always here?
It’s an interesting question which harks back to the life of the Buddha where Ananda doesn’t take the hint and omits to request the Buddha to remain in this world. It is a question of tendrel (auspicious connections) Continue reading Why do we pray for Enlightened Beings to remain in this world, surely they are always here?
How do I wish all beings to be happy when there is unavoidable suffering in the world?
We have to be prepared to just go on being kind and compassionate forever. This is always going to be needed even though we cannot make others happy. We are limited at present because we do not really believe we have any power to help much. But the Buddhas say our power to help others is limitless. We don’t believe it because we don’t understand the true nature of our being, or of others… Continue reading How do I wish all beings to be happy when there is unavoidable suffering in the world?
Is there anything we can do now to help people who have died a long time ago?
it is never too late… Now that you have a better understanding you can help him by recalling both his and your all-pervading Buddha Nature in which nothing is ever lost. Continue reading Is there anything we can do now to help people who have died a long time ago?
What are the different types of laziness that can prevent us from practising Dharma?
Interesting distinctions are being made here. We all know the laziness of just not wanting to bother ourselves too much. It might be that one part of us thinks something would be good to do but another part says ‘yes but…maybe later’. If you actually thought it was not good to do then it wouldn’t be laziness, it would be a difference of opinion… Continue reading What are the different types of laziness that can prevent us from practising Dharma?
Welcoming Difficulties as the Path
We all face difficulties individually that we open to and treat as practice rather than thinking ‘I can’t practice because of difficulties’. What we mean is I am practising but it’s still difficult. There is no need to say ‘I can’t practice’ – even when one feels so uninspired that even practice feels flat – that is our practice isn’t it? Continue reading Welcoming Difficulties as the Path
Why true ‘giving up’ is a good thing and how to be kind to ourselves
What we call ‘giving up’ is actually just grasping onto the idea of ‘It’s no good’ or ‘Nothing helps’ or ‘I can’t do this’… Continue reading Why true ‘giving up’ is a good thing and how to be kind to ourselves
Do we have to get rid of all our mental chatter?
The instruction is to notice the mental chatter – not to stop it. So when you are reading, you just notice the way you voice the words to yourself (or not) and continue noticing what happens at other times too… Continue reading Do we have to get rid of all our mental chatter?
How do Buddhists pray? Who do they pray to?
Do Buddhists pray to Awakened Beings such as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? The answer is yes. This may come as a surprise to many people who have heard that there is no God in Buddhism. I don’t think it is as easy as all that to say there is no God in Buddhism. It all depends on what you mean by God, doesn’t it? Continue reading How do Buddhists pray? Who do they pray to?
How To Meditate With Tiredness
Think of every time you bring the attention back into the moment as no different from meditation. This helps you to develop an on-going meditative state of mind and makes it easier to link into the meditation quickly when it comes to sitting meditation. The other thing you can do is to keep making a strong wish to Awaken, at any time of day. Continue reading How To Meditate With Tiredness
Teaching on Taking the Refuge and Bodhisattva Vow
Last weekend Lama Shenpen gave Refuge and Bodhisattva vows to 26 of her students from around the world in a special online ceremony. As part of that special day she gave a teaching on the Refuge and Bodhisattva vows Continue reading Teaching on Taking the Refuge and Bodhisattva Vow