Difference between revisions of "Establishing a connection with the teachings"
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| − | The Buddhist tradition lays a great emphasis on the importance of discipline. Discipline is a commitment to a way of life that chooses certain actions over others. Initially, this discipline may require effort, but eventually, it arises naturally from one’s understanding. As this understanding grows, so does | + | The [[Buddhist tradition]] lays a great {{Wiki|emphasis}} on the importance of [[discipline]]. [[Discipline]] is a commitment to a way of [[life]] that chooses certain [[actions]] over others. Initially, this [[discipline]] may require [[effort]], but eventually, it arises naturally from one’s [[understanding]]. As this [[understanding]] grows, so does |
| − | one’s commitment, in the same way that as a tree grows, so do its branches. However, the teachings recognize that there may be rare circumstances when we | + | one’s commitment, in the same way that as a [[tree]] grows, so do its branches. However, the teachings [[recognize]] that there may be rare circumstances when we |
| − | have the moral obligation to break one of these vows “and in such circumstances,” says the Dalai Lama, “we are not only permitted to transgress a vow but it is our duty to do so.” The Mahayana path involves: | + | have the [[moral]] {{Wiki|obligation}} to break one of these [[vows]] “and in such circumstances,” says the [[Dalai Lama]], “we are not only permitted to transgress a [[vow]] but it is our [[duty]] to do so.” The [[Mahayana path]] involves: |
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| − | One travels Five Paths using the combination of the skillful means of compassionate transmission of knowledge and the intuitive wisdom to see through the illusion of separate existence. | + | One travels [[Five Paths]] using the combination of the [[skillful means]] of [[compassionate]] [[transmission]] of [[knowledge]] and the [[intuitive wisdom]] to see through the [[illusion]] of separate [[existence]]. |
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====1. The [[Path of Accumulation]]==== | ====1. The [[Path of Accumulation]]==== | ||
| − | Here the practitioner gathers what s/he needs for the journey to Enlightenment. On this path one accumulates merit from virtuous thoughts and actions and wisdom from hearing and contemplating on the teachings. If s/he has not already done so, the practitioner also cultivates the meditative stability of calm | + | Here the [[practitioner]] gathers what s/he needs for the journey to [[Enlightenment]]. On this [[path]] one accumulates [[merit]] from [[virtuous]] [[thoughts]] and [[actions]] and [[wisdom]] from hearing and [[contemplating]] on the teachings. If s/he has not already done so, the [[practitioner]] also cultivates the [[meditative]] stability of [[calm abiding]]. This is the ability to [[meditate]] without becoming disturbed, to be able to [[concentrate]] one’s [[mind]] on an internal focus of [[attention]], and to engage in intricate [[visualizations]] |
| − | |||
| − | abiding. This is the ability to meditate without becoming disturbed, to be able to concentrate one’s mind on an internal focus of attention, and to engage in intricate visualizations | ||
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| − | When the object of the meditator’s focus is the emptiness of inherent existence in all phenomena, and when this meditation leads to the experience of calm | + | When the [[object]] of the meditator’s focus is the [[emptiness]] of [[inherent existence]] in all [[phenomena]], and when this [[meditation]] leads to the [[experience]] of [[calm abiding]], then one has entered the [[Path of Preparation]], sometimes called the [[Path]] of Application. The [[meditator]] develops an ever-deepening [[understanding]] of |
| − | |||
| − | abiding, then one has entered the Path of Preparation, sometimes called the Path of Application. The meditator develops an ever-deepening understanding of | ||
| − | emptiness during four stages: | + | [[emptiness]] during four stages: |
(1) warmth, | (1) warmth, | ||
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(2) peak, | (2) peak, | ||
| − | (3) endurance, and | + | (3) [[endurance]], and |
| − | (4) supreme realization. | + | (4) supreme [[realization]]. |
| − | During the warmth stage, the meditator has a conceptual understanding of emptiness. In the peak stage, this conceptual understanding increases, and one’s spiritual virtue becomes indestructible. In the endurance | + | During the warmth stage, the [[meditator]] has a {{Wiki|conceptual}} [[understanding]] of [[emptiness]]. In the [[peak stage]], this {{Wiki|conceptual}} [[understanding]] increases, and one’s [[spiritual]] [[virtue]] becomes [[indestructible]]. In the [[endurance]] |
| − | stage, the meditator faces and overcomes any fears that arise out of the understanding of emptiness as the ultimate truth. When the meditator reaches the stage of supreme realization, subject and object are realized as being aspects of the same reality and s/he enters the next path. Kalu Rinpoche says that | + | stage, the [[meditator]] faces and overcomes any {{Wiki|fears}} that arise out of the [[understanding]] of [[emptiness]] as [[the ultimate truth]]. When the [[meditator]] reaches the stage of supreme [[realization]], [[subject]] and [[object]] are [[realized]] as being aspects of the same [[reality]] and s/he enters the next [[path]]. [[Kalu Rinpoche]] says that |
| − | while one is on the paths of Accumulation and Preparation, “there is a growing sense of freedom, just as if a person in prison were to have his or her bonds and manacles removed and, though still imprisoned, were free to move about the cell.” | + | while one is on the [[paths]] of [[Accumulation]] and Preparation, “there is a growing [[sense]] of freedom, just as if a [[person]] in {{Wiki|prison}} were to have his or her bonds and manacles removed and, though still imprisoned, were free to move about the cell.” |
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| − | Kalu Rinpoche describes the experience of the Path of Insight as resembling the opening of the prison door. Up until this point, the meditator has only experienced the idea of emptiness. On the Path of Seeing one experiences it directly. In between meditation sessions one still perceives duality, but one’s | + | [[Kalu Rinpoche]] describes the [[experience]] of the [[Path]] of [[Insight]] as resembling the opening of the {{Wiki|prison}} door. Up until this point, the [[meditator]] has only [[experienced]] the [[idea]] of [[emptiness]]. On the [[Path of Seeing]] one [[experiences]] it directly. In between [[meditation]] sessions one still [[perceives]] [[duality]], but one’s |
| − | understanding has become nondual. At this stage, one is said to have the ability to choose one’s future rebirths. The meditator overcomes cultural | + | [[understanding]] has become [[nondual]]. At this stage, one is said to have the ability to choose one’s [[future rebirths]]. The [[meditator]] overcomes {{Wiki|cultural}} |
| − | conditioning but still harbors the traces of misperceptions from numerous lifetimes, which are far more deeply ingrained. It is from the Path of Insight that one enters the first of the ten levels or “grounds” of the Bodhisattva called the “Very Joyous.” | + | {{Wiki|conditioning}} but still harbors the traces of misperceptions from numerous lifetimes, which are far more deeply ingrained. It is from the [[Path]] of [[Insight]] that one enters the first of the ten levels or “grounds” of the [[Bodhisattva]] called the “Very [[Joyous]].” |
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| − | At this level, the aspiring Bodhisattva develops the ability to enter into advanced meditative states. It is on this path that one achieves the | + | At this level, the aspiring [[Bodhisattva]] develops the ability to enter into advanced [[meditative]] states. It is on this [[path]] that one achieves the |
| − | remaining nine levels of the Bodhisattva. | + | remaining nine levels of the [[Bodhisattva]]. |
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| − | At this point one has attained the supreme condition of Enlightenment and become a Buddha, so there is no more learning to be done. A being at this level | + | At this point one has [[attained]] the supreme [[condition]] of [[Enlightenment]] and become a [[Buddha]], so there is no more {{Wiki|learning}} to be done. A being at this level |
| − | simultaneously manifests omniscient consciousness (Truth Body), a pure, metamaterial form (Enjoyment Body), and a physical manifestation (Emanation Body). “It is impossible to describe the transcendent state of a Buddha with words,” says Nagarjuna. | + | simultaneously [[manifests]] [[omniscient]] [[consciousness]] ([[Truth Body]]), a [[pure]], metamaterial [[form]] ([[Enjoyment Body]]), and a [[physical]] [[manifestation]] ([[Emanation Body]]). “It is impossible to describe the [[transcendent]] [[state of a Buddha]] with words,” says [[Nagarjuna]]. “[[Ordinary beings]] cannot even begin to [[imagine]] it.” |
Latest revision as of 20:16, 29 December 2023
The Buddhist tradition lays a great emphasis on the importance of discipline. Discipline is a commitment to a way of life that chooses certain actions over others. Initially, this discipline may require effort, but eventually, it arises naturally from one’s understanding. As this understanding grows, so does
one’s commitment, in the same way that as a tree grows, so do its branches. However, the teachings recognize that there may be rare circumstances when we
have the moral obligation to break one of these vows “and in such circumstances,” says the Dalai Lama, “we are not only permitted to transgress a vow but it is our duty to do so.” The Mahayana path involves:
(1) establishing a connection with the teachings
(2) taking Refuge in the Three Jewels
(3) developing Bodhicitta
and
(4) developing meditation skills
One travels Five Paths using the combination of the skillful means of compassionate transmission of knowledge and the intuitive wisdom to see through the illusion of separate existence.
They are:
(1) The Path of Accumulation
(2) The Path of Preparation
(3) The Path of Seeing
(4) The Path of Meditation
and
(====5) The Path of No More Learning====
The five paths
1. The Path of Accumulation
Here the practitioner gathers what s/he needs for the journey to Enlightenment. On this path one accumulates merit from virtuous thoughts and actions and wisdom from hearing and contemplating on the teachings. If s/he has not already done so, the practitioner also cultivates the meditative stability of calm abiding. This is the ability to meditate without becoming disturbed, to be able to concentrate one’s mind on an internal focus of attention, and to engage in intricate visualizations
2. The Path of Preparation
When the object of the meditator’s focus is the emptiness of inherent existence in all phenomena, and when this meditation leads to the experience of calm abiding, then one has entered the Path of Preparation, sometimes called the Path of Application. The meditator develops an ever-deepening understanding of
emptiness during four stages:
(1) warmth,
(2) peak,
(3) endurance, and
(4) supreme realization.
During the warmth stage, the meditator has a conceptual understanding of emptiness. In the peak stage, this conceptual understanding increases, and one’s spiritual virtue becomes indestructible. In the endurance
stage, the meditator faces and overcomes any fears that arise out of the understanding of emptiness as the ultimate truth. When the meditator reaches the stage of supreme realization, subject and object are realized as being aspects of the same reality and s/he enters the next path. Kalu Rinpoche says that
while one is on the paths of Accumulation and Preparation, “there is a growing sense of freedom, just as if a person in prison were to have his or her bonds and manacles removed and, though still imprisoned, were free to move about the cell.”
3. The Path of Seeing
Kalu Rinpoche describes the experience of the Path of Insight as resembling the opening of the prison door. Up until this point, the meditator has only experienced the idea of emptiness. On the Path of Seeing one experiences it directly. In between meditation sessions one still perceives duality, but one’s
understanding has become nondual. At this stage, one is said to have the ability to choose one’s future rebirths. The meditator overcomes cultural
conditioning but still harbors the traces of misperceptions from numerous lifetimes, which are far more deeply ingrained. It is from the Path of Insight that one enters the first of the ten levels or “grounds” of the Bodhisattva called the “Very Joyous.”
4. The Path of Meditation
At this level, the aspiring Bodhisattva develops the ability to enter into advanced meditative states. It is on this path that one achieves the remaining nine levels of the Bodhisattva.
5. The Path of No More Learning
At this point one has attained the supreme condition of Enlightenment and become a Buddha, so there is no more learning to be done. A being at this level
simultaneously manifests omniscient consciousness (Truth Body), a pure, metamaterial form (Enjoyment Body), and a physical manifestation (Emanation Body). “It is impossible to describe the transcendent state of a Buddha with words,” says Nagarjuna. “Ordinary beings cannot even begin to imagine it.”
