Note: This is the third in a five-part series of lively, engaged Dharma Discussions focused on “Basics of Buddhism, ” in response to requests from sangha members for information about the fundamentals of Buddhist histories, principles, and practices. Future discussion topics will include “Saving All Beings: The Bodhisattva Path” and a final summation. It is not necessary to have attended previous discussions to participate in this or future ones.
The Four Noble Truths were taught by the Buddha, according to legend, soon after his awakening experience, and they provide core tenets for Buddhist practitioners throughout the world. The first: life is suffering. The second: the source of this suffering is craving, and the attachment of ego to that craving. The third: this suffering can cease. The fourth: the way to achieve this cessation is through living the Eightfold Path. The Path consists of wisdom components (Right Understanding and Right Thought), moral components (Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood), and meditation components (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration). But what does this actually mean? How might one of these aspects of the Eightfold Path be relevant to your life?
We’ll briefly survey the Four Noble Truths and the wisdom and meditation components of the Eightfold Path and then focus much of our evening discussion on one of the moral components: Right Action. Guidelines for Right Action traditionally include the Five Precepts: not killing, not stealing, not misusing sexuality, not lying, and not using intoxicants. At first glance these might seem simple, until we consider that, for example in Zen teaching, there can be three views of each precept: the literal view, the view from Oneness, and the compassionate view. Here is where things can become challenging – as they often do when we’re faced with tough choices in daily life. How can we operate from all three views? Can it ever be compassionate to kill? To steal? To lie? Is it possible that exploring such questions deeply can begin to dissolve our facile assumptions, leading us to the spaciousness of not-knowing and to the freedom of open-hearted, spontaneous action and moral responsibility?
Let’s find out together. Following a brief meditation period (beginner instruction available), Reverend Kanji will share basic information on these topics and then, in the spirit of open inquiry, there will be a free-ranging Dharma Discussion. Bring your own questions! Everyone is welcome – new and experienced practitioners from all Buddhist traditions, and non-Buddhists, too.