In this episode we look at the singular cause of our pain and suffering and the solution!  Our problems and suffering come from the toxins in our mind such as anger, attachment, selfishness, and ignorance. The Buddhist path presents many methods to reduce and finally eliminate these toxins from our mind. This a gradual process with a variety of practices to achieve this goal. 

 

In the episode’s brief meditation, listeners determine what causes them the most suffering in their life currently, either most often or most deeply. They then contemplate 1) how are they currently thinking regarding the situation 2) how they could think that would help them remain peaceful. During the week, use mindfulness to notice when you’re starting to become disturbed in that specific circumstance and try thinking in the alternate way that brings peace.

 

We take a deep dive into verse 271-271 of the Dhammapada, a collection of the actual words of the Buddha.Buddha spoke these verse with reference to some monks in the following story.

 

One day a group of monks approached Buddha and seated themselves beside him. They said this:  “We have acquired virtue; we have taken upon ourselves the pure practices; we are exceedingly learned; we dwell in places of abode that are solitary and remote; we have developed the supernatural powers by ecstatic meditation. For us it would be no hard matter to attain arahatship; indeed, we could attain arahatship any day we wished.” 

 

The Buddha replied to them: 

 

Not with

     Virtue or religious practice

     Great learning

     Attaining samadhi

     Dwelling alone,

     Or [thinking], “I touch the happiness of renunciation

     unknown by ordinary people,”

Should you, monk, rest assured

    Without having destroyed the toxins. (Verses 271-272)

References and Links

Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 69-70 (Link)

 

Buddha. Treasure of Truth, Illustrated Dhammapada. Translated by Ven. A. Mahinda. BuddhaNet. https://www.buddhistelibrary.org/buddhism-online/e-books/dhammapada-txt.pdf