Part of the Buddha’s original teaching, about the cause of suffering (dukkha) and how to become free from suffering, including the Truth of Dukkha, the Truth of the Cause of Dukkha (grasping and aversion), the Truth of the Cessation of Dukkha (by releasing grasping and aversion), and the Truth of the Eightfold Noble Path (how one achieves the Cessation of Dukkha).
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- Glossary
- 271 – Ten Fields of Zen, Field Four (2 of 2) – Dharma Study: Wrestling with the TeachingsThe Fourth Field of Zen Practice is Dharma Study. In the last episode, Part 1, I talked about the value of Dharma Study and how best to approach it. Then I discussed how to go about deciding what you want to study. In this episode I offer a list of eight fundamental teachings I recommend becoming familiar with, along with suggested texts to begin your investigation of each topic. I’ll end with a discussion of how to engage the teachings you study in a meaningful way.
- 290 – Ten Fields of Zen, Field 8 – Realization: Direct Experience of Reality-with-a-Capital-RThe eighth Field of Zen Practice is Realization, gaining a direct, personal experience of the truth. Realization helps you respond appropriately, allowing you to live by choice instead of by karma. Even more importantly, it gives you a larger perspective that can result in equanimity, even joy. There are different levels of truth, and the Dharma – Reality-with-a-Capital-R – is the biggest truth of all. Fortunately, it is a wonderful and liberating truth to wake up to. However, it’s important to understand that there is no “Realization” you can attain that means you know everything. The truth is infinite and there is always more to awaken to and embody.
- 243 – The Buddha’s Life Story as Archetype and TeachingUnderstanding the teachings of Buddhism starts with becoming familiar with the Buddha's life story. This isn't because he is believed to have been divine, or even a prophet. Instead, his story is important because it serves as an archetype for the Buddhist vision of spiritual seeking and development. There are many teachings embedded in the story of the Buddha, who is regarded as having been a remarkable human being – but just a human being, like you or me.
- 233 – Spiritual Inquiry Part 3: Identifying our Karmic IssuesAn important part of Buddhist practice is spiritual inquiry. Buddhism teaches us that there are underlying reasons for every selfish and neurotic thing we do, and that we can discern what those reasons are and work on them. This karma work can lead to lasting and transformative change. In this episode I describe karma work and discuss how to identify your karmic issues. In the next episode I will talk about the process of karmic inquiry once you have identified a karmic issue you would like to resolve.
