FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS ‮‫☸ ☸ ☸ ☸ Dharmachakra day

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FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – Alive Dharma teachings, July 25,2009 Dharmachakra day

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato

Samma sambuddhassa !

Homage to Him, the Exalted, The Worthy,

The fully Enlightened One ! (1)

Blessed Dharmachakra day, dear Friends  of Buddha Dharma. Today is the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni first turning of the Dhamma/Dharma wheel. For seven weeks after his Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at the Vajra seat in Bodhgaya, Shakyamuni Buddha did not teach. Finally, encouraged by Indra and Brahma, he turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time, at Sarnath, by teaching the Four Noble Truths.

1. BUDDHIST TEACHINGS AND PRACTICE

In Wikipedia they are described with these words :

English: Four Noble Truths Pali: cattāri ariyasaccāni Sanskrit: catvāri āryasatyāni Burmese
(thisa lei ba) Chinese: 四圣諦(T) / 四圣谛(S)
(pinyin: sìshèngdì) Japanese: 四諦
(rōmaji: shitai) Thai: อริยสัจสี่
(ariyasaj sii) Vietnamese: Tứ Diệu Đế

1. The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha):

   “This is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.”^[9][10]

2. Suffering’s Origin (Samudaya):

   “This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination.”^[9][10]

3. Suffering’s Cessation (Nirodha):

   “This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, nonreliance on it.”^[9][10]

4. The Way (Mārga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:

   “This is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is the Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.”^[11][12]

End of citation from Wikipedia.

When the Buddha , the fully Enlightened One, delivered his first Teaching/Dharma to the five ascetics, He spoke to them very personally, because they were His friends. He did not transmitt to them some dry intellectual knowledge. He spoke from His personal , continuous experiences. We all must take His first Dhamma/Dharma to our Hearts- time and separate space are illusion (even modern scientists aggree on that fact !) Shakyamuni Buddha is speaking personaly to everyone, to everyone in his own language : take His spiritual advice to your heart and apply it in your daily life. This is the true meaning of turning the Dhamma/Dharma wheel. Buddha is omniscent : He knows exactly all our situations, all our thoughts and emotions. He knows how many grains of sand are in the river Ganges – how couldn´t He know everyone of us, individually and personally ?! Make His teachings your path toward complete enlightenment, make it personal and intimate. Buddha´s Dharma is your best friend. When all other so called friends , relatives or companions leave you, Buddha´s Dharma is still there to guide you on the spiritual Path.

Buddhism is very A-live spiritual force , it is like fountain of Nectar water , accessible to all beings. Purify your vessel, your body,energy and consciousness ; pray and meditate and the Nectar of blessings will emerge spontaneously in your being-ness. To understand Four Noble Truths, one must truly be a vegetarian, helping to save animals and other sentient beings. It is impossible to be practicing Buddhist and still eat dead corpses of other sentient beings (animals). Wake up to that truth of suffering and stop craving for meat . Meat eating habit is craving for blood – there is no meat without blood. Purify your unvirtuous karma of eating meat. These teachings refer to all 600 millions and more Buddhists in different  Buddhist schools and to all Buddhist traditions. They refer to monastics and to non-monastics alike. Monastics in Asian countries must truly show the compassionate path of Enligtenment, by educating general public (first with their own examples of Noble living) why human beings should never eat meat, why we must save lives of animals. This is true Buddhist education in modern times.

Don´t think that by understanding the Four Noble Truths one must become a “wooden buddha” – without any feelings, emotions and personal opinions. Such attitude is fake samsara, leading to fake nirvana. On the Vajrayana-tantric path we learn how to use our feelings and emotions to progress on the Path toward complete enlightenment. Doing so, we descend with the view and ascend with the conduct , as taught by Nirmanakaya Buddha  Padmasambhava, the emanation of Buddha Shakyamuni. All Buddhist teachings are interconnected – there is no need to debate and argue about this simple fact. Manjushri-nama-samgiti (see related Visual Dharma: Chanting the Names of Manjushri) transmitts the Vajra verse about this Unity of all : “ Delivering three vehicles, I stand on the Fruit of one Vehicle ! “

Buddhism is inside path, it is more gnosis and the way of life as rigid and sectarian religious views. Let Four Noble Truths become your Gnosis, your own experience, your own understanding. We must internalise the Dhamma/Dharma to be delivered by the Truth of Dharma. We should not be like the rocks in the river , never absorbing any nectar-like spiritual teachings. If one is a rock in the water, one can not internalise the teachings, because one does not allow that the Truth enter his / her being-ness. Soften your being by relaxing , following your breath – your connection with life and let these Words enter your heart.

If one is dharma bussinessmen , seeing the holy Dharma as merchandise, one can also never internalise the teaching. It remais as an object outside you , object of spiritual materialism. Guru Padmasambhava taught (and is still teaching) that at that time, when there are perverted practitioners who will treat the Dharma as merchandise, EVERYONE OF US should not neglect the ten dharmic/enlightened activities. Reflecting upon the meaning of Dharma is one of ten enlightened activities. Reflecting upon the meaning of Four noble Truths is enlightened activity . This refers to all Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist practitioners.  It also refers to all Dzogchen/Atiyoga practitioners. Start today, don´t wait for tommorrow or next life ! One does not need to be a Lama, Rinpoche , Tulku, Sensei etc. to reflect on the meaning of Dharma. It is responsibility of all of us ! It is resposibility of all of us to practice, teach and promote pure Buddha Dharma, without obscurations of race, nationality , social position and so on. Follow on the footsteps of the Buddha and walk on the Eightfold Noble Path . May these words encourage everyone  to proceed on the inside spiritual path of cultivation, toward perfect Enlightenment.

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato

Samma sambuddhassa !

Homage to Him, the Exalted, The Worthy,

The fully Enlightened One !

Notes :

1.The Dhammapada, Pali text and translation with stories and notes; Narada Thera, 4^th edition 2538-1993, reprinted and donated for free distribution by the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taiwan; 1995.

2.Photo on MySpace blog shows Four Noble  Truths (Dharma art photo).

Photo on worpress blog show altar at the Jokhang temple in Lhasa : Jowo Buddha Shakyamuni (centre), Guru Padmasambhava (right) and Arya Tara (left).

H.E. Lama Tara Tulku Drimed Drolkhar Rinpoche

Gentle Rain of Nectar Blessings – Alive Dharma work in continuity, Vol V

Colophon : This words spontaneously arose in my awareness today, on the Dharmachakra (Chökor Duchen). May it be auspicios for everyone and may all noble and meaningful increase in the world.

2.INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY BUDDHIST STUDIES
E-learning curriculum :

1.Describe the general meaning of Four Noble Truths ?

2.Why are they important for all Buddhist schools and for all beings ?

3.How do you apply the Four Noble Truths in your daily life ?

2.1.Visual Dharma : Seven-line invocation of Guru Padmasambhava

(for the anniversary of Birth of Guru Rinpoche, celebrated on July 31).

Four remaining questions from Friends  of Buddha Dharma will be answered next Sunday.

3.LUNAR CALENDAR July-August 2009  6^th lunar month

July 25 : Chökor Duchen – Dharmachakra day – anniversary of Lord Buddha´s teaching of Four Noble Truths at Sarnath

July 29 :  Day of the Medicine Buddhas and of Arya Tara; related Visual Dharma: Blessings of Medicine Buddhas, 21 Verses of Praise to Arya Tara.

July 31: Anniversary of Birth of Guru Padmasambhava (10^th lunar day): Guru Tsokye Dorje : at sunrise Guru Rinpoche is miraculously born amidst dazzling radiance in a lotus bed on the Danakosha lake. Turning the Dharma wheel for the Dakinis, he is known as Guru Tsokye Dorje – Guru, the Lotus Born Vajra….. Related Visual Dharma: Seven-line invocation of Guru Rinpoche, Teaching about Seven-line invocation, Dances of Eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.

Dharma practice : Tsog offering verse by Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche (see related Visual Dharma), Ganachakra offering (without meat and alcohol!)

August 5 : Full moon day ; Long-life practices or Namo Amitabha chanting (see Visual Dharma).

August 15 : Dakini day ; Dharma practice: Tsog offering verse , Ganackakra offering .

August 19 : Dharmapala day ; Dharma practice : Vajrakilaya tantra Gurkhukma (see Visual Dharma).

August 20 : Shakyamuni Buddha day ; purification practices (see Visual Dharma: Vajrasattva 100-syllable mantra) , Sang offering (see Visual Dharma: Buddhism, peace and ecology).

Collective prayers and meditations of Buddha Dharma (since 1988) _ every Sunday 4-5 pm (GMT +1) or according to your local time. For programme look at previous Alive Dharma teachings.

4.WISDOM WITHOUT BORDERS  :

openbuddhistforum (1 week ago)

OM AH HUM * KHORDONG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION IN POLLAND asked us to  forward info. about teaching of H.H. TAKLUNG TSETRUL RINPOCHE at Drophan Ling in Polland, Aug. 5-30,09. See : http://www.khordong.com.pl
See also Visual Dharma: WISH-GRANTING PRAYER OF SAMANTABHADRA part 1,2
Buddha Dharma-OBF International July 12,09

Received post in the Wisdom Without Borders / Heritage of mankind ***** Thank you for rating, favoring , sharing, commenting upon and embeding Visual Dharmas-Buddhist teachings for third millenium. May all be auspicious in your life and work for humanity and all beings *****

Re: Re:JanVernerC sent you a video: “Let it shine!”

30.Jun.09  Norvay

You are my real soul-friends
and you know this is true!

I love you all with dignity!

My heart & Soul & Thoughts!

/jan

jendhamuni (1 week ago) USA California

Wishing you a most joyous day and a wonderful weekend.
Love, Peace and Harmony Always,
Jendhamuni

RabAdamson (1 day ago)

Thank you for all the loving energy you send out Wishing you a happy weeend :-)))
Rab

elena2360 (10 hours ago)

-thank you so much.love for all-may Peace prevail-may wisdom be with all!
LOVE Elena

Draccun (2 weeks ago) Netherlands

Thank you so much for your wonderful uplifting comment have a Great weekend!
Pece&Love,Arex:))

windritter9 (4 weeks ago)

Thank you for the words of wisdom!

Feentaenzer (1 month ago)

Thanks for being your friend.
Angela and the light of the universe safe your life
Love and Peace
North Angel

milissamusic (1 month ago) USA

May I live with compassion and only have best intention for my fellow beings.
May my heart be filled with love and compassion so that no desire
shall keep me away from true peaceful happiness.

I am happy to share my music and may the light lead me to greatness
for great things and great reasons. ç
Not for my ego..
but to spread..SUNSHINE BLESSING..!

shirleey1969 (1 month ago) USA

Peace and love for all!
thank you so much:))

KannaKos (1 month ago) Hong Kong

Thanks so much for add. Please continue the great teachings. Love the messages!!!

Take care!

braindripper (1 month ago)

Great Buddhist oasis in Youtube!

pqtrung78 (1 month ago)

Thank for your helpful resources of Buddhist teachings! Wishing peace and happy for all of human beings in the world!
Namo Amitabha!

Draccun (1 month ago) Netherlands

ThanX, for your wonderful words!
May the teachings of Buddha Enlighten you always
and lead you on the Path of Light!
Hugss from the Heart with love and appreciation!
Namaste
Arex:))

RabAdamson (1 month ago) Canada

Thank you for your love and light
Rab

Thanks to all for support and uplifting words.

Together we pray and meditate for inner and outer peace on the planet .

May all beings be always peaceful and happy *****

BUDDHA DHARMA – OBF International

Serving, upholding and protecting the teachings of Buddhas by promoting ten dharmic/enlightened activities; promoting Millenium goals of United nations: Gender equality and empowerment of women.

H.E. Lama Tara Tulku Drimed Drolkhar Rinpoche, EU

Shifu John Chow, Australia

His Eminence Lama Karma Gyan Sagar Rinpoche – World Peace Envoy, Nepal

Venerable Mangala Konchok Norbu – Dharma art director, EU

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