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Category Archives: Causes and results
Kamma (2) Fairness
One of the reasons it’s worth thinking about kamma is that most of us have an idea that life should be fair, no matter how much evidence there is to the contrary. Let’s suppose though, that the way we perceive … Continue reading
Posted in Anger, Causes and results, Compassion, Dukkha, Faith, Harmlessness, Karma, Patience, Wisdom
Tagged kamma, Karma, karma and fairness
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Kamma (1)
One of the thorniest topics in Buddhist thinking and teaching is the principle of kamma (in Sanskrit: karma). Don’t expect a pat definition here, but it’s worth digging into what the Buddha taught on the subject and how we could … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Dukkha, Karma, Mindfulness, Wisdom
Tagged cause and effect, kamma, Karma
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Internal and External Supports
Just as admirable friendship is the most important external factor in the practice, appropriate attention is the most important internal one. “Attention,” in the Buddha’s vocabulary, is a matter of which questions you take to heart – the ones you … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Dukkha, Friendships, Mindfulness, Relationships, Wisdom
Tagged good friendship, Intention, Mindfulness
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Other Auspicious Actions
From: http://www.suttas.com/10-meritorious-deeds.html In the previous post, we talked about half of the “auspicious actions” that had to do with giving. The remaining items on the list involve other sorts of actions. 2. keeping the precepts 3. meditation 8. teaching the … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Karma, Mindfulness, Precepts, The 8-fold path, Wisdom
Tagged Buddhadhamma, Dhamma, meditation, Precepts, Right view
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Ten auspicious actions
The beginning of the path to awakening is giving, letting go, shifting our focus from a me-centred framework to a relational framework. We start to notice how we feel when we are generous, and how we feel when we are … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Hindrances, Mindfulness, Non-taking, Relationships
Tagged generosity, Giving, sharing, showing respect
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Karma and Self
A question we’ve heard before came up again recently: “If there’s no self, then who gets the karma of our actions?” It’s a tricky question because the answer requires trading in our presumption of a self-centred world for a completely … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Karma, Mindfulness, Speech, The 8-fold path, Wisdom
Tagged Karma, Mindfulness, selfing, The Buddha's Path, the self
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The Wet Log Sutta
From MN 36: https://suttacentral.net/mn36/en/sujato? Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying in water. Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinking to light a fire and produce heat. What do you think, Aggivessana? By drilling the stick against that green, … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Dukkha, Hindrances, Mindfulness, Precepts, Wisdom
Tagged defilements, Mindfulness, unwholesome roots
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Equanimity
The fourth of the divine mind states that the Buddha recommended cultivating is Equanimity (upekkhā). From the Therigatha: If your mind becomes firm like a rock and no longer shakes In a world where everything is shaking Your mind will … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Compassion, Karma, Mindfulness, Patience, Sublime states, Wisdom
Tagged balance, Equanimity, The eight worldly winds
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Joy
Joy (muditā) is similar to compassion, but different; it is what goodwill (mettā) feels like when we encounter those who are happy rather than those who are suffering. What can joy be a remedy for? Craving gives rise to jealousy, … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Compassion, Mindfulness, Sublime states
Tagged joy, mudita, sympathetic joy
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Compassion
Sometimes people find compassion practice the easiest entry to practicing mettā more generally. As Thanissaro Bhikkhu said, compassion is an extension of mettā that we feel when we encounter suffering. When we are confronted with suffering, especially in person, compassion … Continue reading
Posted in Causes and results, Compassion, Mindfulness, Patience, Speech, Sublime states
Tagged Compassion, Karuna, Metta, Mindfulness
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The Buddha's Advice to Laypeople 