Contemplation: Four Inverted Views, 3

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

Virtuous man! What is the sign of the self? It is that which is experienced in the minds of sentient beings. Virtuous man, for instance, when a man's body is well coordinated and healthy, he forgets about its existence. However, when his four limbs are sluggish and his body unhealthy and unregulated, then with the slightest treatment of acupuncture and moxa he will become aware of the existence of the self again. Therefore, the self manifests when experience is felt. Virtuous man, even if this man's mind experienced the real of the Tathagata and clearly perceived pure nirvana, it would be but the phenomenon of the self.

The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, p. 50

Contemplation: Four Inverted Views, 2

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

"Why is this? Because the original-arising ignorance has been [falsely perceived as] one's own master since beginningless time, therefore all sentient beings are unable to give rise to the wisdom-eye. The nature of their bodies and minds is nothing but ignorance. [This ignorance which does not eliminate itself may be illustrated] by the example of the man who does not take his own life. Therefore, you should know that people get along with those who like them and resent those who contradict them. Because like and dislike nurture ignorance, sentient beings always fail in their pursuit of the Path.

Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, p. 50

Contemplation: Four Inverted Views, 1

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

Virtuous man, since beginningless time all sentient beings have been deludedly conceiving and clinging to the existence of self, person, sentient being, and life. They take these four inverted views as the essence of a real self, thereby giving rise to dual states of like and dislike. [Thus], based on one delusion, they further cling to other delusions. These two delusions rely on each other, giving rise to the illusory paths of karma. Because of illusory karma, sentient beings deludedly perceive the turning flow [of cyclic existence]. Those who detest the turning flow [of cyclic existence] deludedly perceive nirvana, and hence are unable to enter [the realm of] pure enlightenment. It is not enlightenment that thwarts their entering; rather, it is the idea that 'there is one who can enter.' Therefore, whether their thoughts are agitated or have ceased, they cannot be other than confused and perplexed.

from The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, p. 50

Study Group: Online Tendai Buddhism Class

There has been some interest in forming an informal study group that will take a free online class in Tendai Buddhism together. You can find more information on that here. Everyone's welcome to join in!

Retreat Photos...

I posted some photos of our recent retreat at the Tendai Buddhist Institute here, at our facebook page. Enjoy...

Contemplation: Harboring

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

With the mind harboring love and hatred,
and thoughts carrying flattery and crookedness,
one is full of confusion and perplexity,
and cannot enter the citadel of enlightenment.
To return to the realm of enlightenment,
desire, anger, and delusion must first be eliminated.
When attachment to the dharma [of nirvana]
no longer exists in the mind,
one can gradually reach accomplishment.

from The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, p. 53

Introduction to Practice Night & Potluck: March 3, 2012

With the influx of new people we have had in recent months, it seems appropriate to offer a night of instruction and fellowship for beginners, and experienced people who would like a review.

You can find details on the wheres, whens, and what-to-do's at our Meetup page.

Here are some thoughts on why it matters to practice with others. It is, in our view, the heart of practice.