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Practical Mindfulness Exercises for Inner Peace and Resilience
“Quivering, wavering, hard to guard, to hold in check: the mind. The sage makes it straight–like a fletcher, the shaft of an arrow. Like a fish pulled from its home in the water and thrown on land: this mind flips and flaps about to escape Mara’s sway. Hard to hold down, nimble, alighting wherever it…
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The Path to the Deathless: Embracing Heedfulness
“Heedfulness: the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness: the path to death. The heedful do not die. The heedless are as if already dead. Knowing this as a true distinction, those wise in heedfulness rejoice in heedfulness, enjoying the range of the noble ones. The enlightened, constantly absorbed in jhana, persevering, firm in their effort: they…
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Dhammapada: Practicing Non-Hostility and Inner Virtue
“Phenomena are preceded by the heart, ruled by the heart, made of the heart. If you speak or act with a corrupted heart, then suffering follows you – as the wheel of the cart, the track of the ox that pulls it. Phenomena are preceded by the heart, ruled by the heart, made of the…
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Understanding the Pāli Canon: Vinaya, Sutta, and Abhidhamma Pitaka
The Pāli Canon, also known as the Tipitaka, is the foundational scripture of Theravada Buddhism. It is the oldest and most complete collection of Buddhist texts, written in the Pāli language. The Canon is divided into three “baskets” or sections: the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka, and the Abhidhamma Pitaka. Each of these sections serves…
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Exploring the Three Major Schools of Buddhism: An Inquiry into Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana
What defines the essence of Buddhism, and how have its teachings diverged into distinct paths? This inquiry seeks to unravel the complexities of the three major schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Each tradition offers unique interpretations and practices, yet they all trace their roots back to the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical…
Daily Reflections 