Transformation takes place
in our daily life.
To make the work of transformation easy,
practice with a Sangha.
Transformation at the base occurs when we transform our habits. Most of our habits are a result of the environment around us and the company we keep. So it is easier to transform habits if the environment and people around us have already transformed those habits or are in the process of doing so.
Dharma is not Buddhism. Dharma means 'phenomena' and also 'the study of phenomena'. Those who practice the dharma are looking to gain an understanding of the true nature of phenomena so they can be free from suffering. The Buddhadharma is the Buddhist method of studying phenomena. The Sangha are those who practice or are an embodiment of the dharma but not necessarily labelled as 'Buddhism'. Sangha extends beyond people. It also includes animals, trees, clouds, the sun, the moon, the mountains etc.
A cloud can be a Sangha-member. It is an embodiment of the Vijñaptimātra teachings. So are trees and flowers and mountains. To find a Sangha conducive for your practice don't rush to the nearest Dharma center.
Our first aim should be to understand and practice the five mindfulness trainings. We can do it by ourselves in our normal surroundings which is more difficult or we can go to Plum Village or Deer Park Monastery which may be expensive and difficult if your are not located in France or United States. The third way of doing it is to join Sangha members cloud, mountain, rivers, trees, flowers, sun, moon etc. and practice with them.
In the past, when Indians wanted to study phenomena they would head for the mountains. The Himalayas are beautiful and even if we only spend a day in the mountains we feel fresh and healthy and the mind is clearer. There are many places where we can practice in peace. In India, you can visit the Spiti Valley (http://www.incrediblespiti.com/home.html) or Rishikesh (http://goindia.about.com/od/spiritualplaces/p/rishikesh.htm) in the North. In the East there are many beautiful places like Darjeeling and its surrounding areas (Chota Mangwa, Bada Mangwa, Lepchajagat, Lamahatta etc.), the state of Sikkim (there are only about 200 monasteries in Sikkim), Cherrapunji (if you like rain, it rains almost everyday in Cherrapunji). In the West you have Igatpuri (famous for Vipassana meditation courses). In the South you can stay at the Open Island Camp at the Ecodaya Island Sanctuary, Hampi (http://www.ecodaya.net/wp/?page_id=30). There are places where you can meet nature in every country. Find locations near you where you can be one with nature. Please go with only a few belongings.
The important aspect of practicing with a Sangha is to speed up our progress. When we are in touch with nature we experience transformation directly. We can see the cloud transform into rain and we can see how rain helps transform seeds into plants. We can see directly how food is a gift of nature and experience the effect the beautiful surroundings have on us. Meditation becomes easier. We can practice mindful consumption. Without television and electronic gadgets we can spend our time to contemplate on the five mindfulness trainings. If we give time to ourselves, we can transform. We have studied the five mindfulness trainings but we must meditate upon them, we must be one with them, they must become our nature. Nature can help us because nature is the embodiment of all dharmas.
Sangha is also compared to a home. With the Sangha we feel at home. We feel safe. In the lap of nature we can relax, feel at home, refreshed, rejuvenated and we turn our minds towards the study of phenomena beginning with the five mindfulness trainings. When we have understood the five mindfulness trainings we can go back to our normal surroundings and see our family and friends as our Sangha.
(Based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.)
#विज्ञप्तिमात्र #Vijñaptimātra #VijñaptimatraBuddhism #ThichNhatHanh #Vasubandhu #50Verses #50VersesOnVijñaptimātra #Vimshatika #Trimshika #VimshatikaKarika #TrimshikaKarika #Asanga #Yogacāra #Yogacara #ManifestationOnly #Vigyaptimatra #Xuanzang #India #Linji #Rinzai #Zen #Bodhidharma #Hinduism #Buddhism #Buddha #Mahayana #Prajñapāramitā #Vijnaptimatra #IndianBuddhism #IndianPhilosophy #UttarPradesh #StoreConsciousness #Alayavijñana #Manas
No comments:
Post a Comment