Bodhisattva Road - Page 5 of 14 -

Angulimala and the Buddha: Fearlessness

February 9, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

Angulimala is a bit of a strange figure in early Buddhist history. I think we can learn a lot from his story even if we might have to think hard to figure out how it relates to our lives. Angulimala was a serial killer. He was a relentless and fearsome madman who made his life’s mission to kill 100 people….and to collect their fingers and wearing them on a necklace. Angulimala is actually a nickname that means finger necklace. Eww. I… Read more

Take Care of Yourself

February 5, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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“If one knew oneself were precious, one would guard oneself with care.” -the Buddha So, often on the spiritual path we are told to hold everyone with compassion, to always be generous. This is all very good advice. But a problem can arise when we start to feel that giving is everything. I’ve had the experience of giving away too much of my energy. I’m sure many of you have too. There’s something we can very easily forget. Our compassion… Read more

No Self and You

February 1, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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This is a hard concept for us to understand. Anatta….no self. I’d like to explain it this way. Everything you think about yourself is a story you’re telling. There is no you, not in the way you think. All the concepts, feelings, and beliefs that we have about ourselves are self-created. We weave things together from our environment and fashion a self out of it. It’s not so much that there’s nothing as it is that there’s nothing to hold… Read more

Practicing Enlightenment

January 29, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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We practice Enlightenment when we sit on the cushion. Every time we sit and do what the Buddha did, we are engaging with the goal. That’s why Dogen said, “Practice itself is Enlightenment”. When we understand that and really engage the present moment, we can’t be pulled around by the myriad things that distract us so easily. We can be a little more stable, standing on solid ground. This is called illumination. If we can really open our hearts and… Read more

37 Practices: Don’t Say Anything

January 26, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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This text “the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva” is a concise text written by a Tibetan teacher in the 14th century named Togme Zangpo who was a member of the Sakya lineage. It’s a summary of how we should behave as we are on the path to awakening. It’s a Tibetan Mahayana teaching. 31 If you don’t go into your own confusion, You may just be a materialist in practitioner’s clothing. Constantly go into your own confusion And put an… Read more

37 Practices: The Perfections

January 24, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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This text “the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva” is a concise text written by a Tibetan teacher in the 14th century named Togme Zangpo who was a member of the Sakya lineage. It’s a summary of how we should behave as we are on the path to awakening. It’s a Tibetan Mahayana teaching. Verse 25 and the ones that follow detail the 6 perfections. The most important teaching for walking the bodhisattva path is the six perfections. The six perfections… Read more

37 Practices: Let it Go

January 22, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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This text “the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva” is a concise text written by a Tibetan teacher in the 14th century named Togme Zangpo who was a member of the Sakya lineage. It’s a summary of how we should behave as we are on the path to awakening. It’s a Tibetan Mahayana teaching. 21 Sensual pleasures are like salty water: The deeper you drink, the thirstier you become. Any object that you attach to, Right away, let it go —… Read more

37 Practices: Subdue Your Own Mind

January 19, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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This text “the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva” is a concise text written by a Tibetan teacher in the 14th century named Togme Zangpo who was a member of the Sakya lineage. It’s a summary of how we should behave as we are on the path to awakening. It’s a Tibetan Mahayana teaching. 18 When you are down and out, held in contempt, Desperately ill, and emotionally crazed, Don’t lose heart. Take into you The suffering and negativity of all… Read more

37 Practices: Put Them Above You

January 17, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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This text “the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva” is a concise text written by a Tibetan teacher in the 14th century named Togme Zangpo who was a member of the Sakya lineage. It’s a summary of how we should behave as we are on the path to awakening. It’s a Tibetan Mahayana teaching. 15 Even if someone humiliates you and denounces you In front of a crowd of people, Think of this person as your teacher And humbly honor him… Read more

37 Practices: Give Rise to Awakening Mind

January 15, 2018 By Daniel Scharpenburg

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This text “the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva” is a concise text written by a Tibetan teacher in the 14th century named Togme Zangpo who was a member of the Sakya lineage. It’s a summary of how we should behave as we are on the path to awakening. It’s a Tibetan Mahayana teaching. 10 If all your mothers, who love you, Suffer for time without beginning, how can you be happy? To free limitless sentient beings, Give rise to awakening… Read more