When will I become enlightened? (sutra)

O, how we cling to form, finding it pretty

Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One (the Buddha) was dwelling in Savatthi and said: "Meditators, I declare [this Teaching/Dhamma] is for one who knows and sees that there is a way to the end of the defilements (asavas).

"For one who knows what and sees what is there an end to the defilements? [The Five Aggregates clung to as self:]

1. 'This is form, this its origination, this its passing away.
2. This is feeling...
3. This is perception...
4. These are mental formations (impulses, volitions, fabrications)...
5. This is consciousness, this its origination, this its passing away.'

"It is for one who knows and sees in this way that there is an end to the defilements.

"Even though a meditator not dwelling devoted to cultivation (bhavana, meditation, development, bringing into being) may wish, 'O, that my mind/heart might be released from the defilements through the end of clinging (craving)!' — still one's heart/mind will not be released from the defilements through not clinging. Why?

"'From lack of development,' it should be said. The lack of developing what? [The 37 Requisites of Enlightenment:]

1. the Four Foundations of Mindfulness,
2. the Four Right Efforts,
3. the Four Bases of Power,
4. the Five Faculties,
5. the Five Strengths,
6. the Seven Factors of Enlightenment,
7. the Noble Eightfold Path.

Will we just trip and fall into self-realization?

"Suppose a hen lays eight, ten, or 12 eggs. If she fails to cover them rightly, warm them rightly, or incubate them rightly, then even though she wishes, 'O, may my chicks break through the shell with beak and claw and hatch safely!' still it is impossible that her chicks will break through and hatch safely.'

"Why is that? It is because the hen has neither covered them rightly, warmed them rightly, nor incubated them rightly.

"In the same way, even though a meditator dwells not devoted to development may wish, 'O, that my mind/heart might be released from the defilements through not clinging!' still one's mind/heart remains unreleased from the defilements. Why is that? 'It is from the lack of development,' it should be said. The lack of developing what?

• The Four Foundations of Mindfulness,
• the Four Right Efforts,
• the Four Bases of Power,
• the Five Faculties,
• the Five Strengths,
• the Seven Factors of Enlightenment,
• the Noble Eightfold Path.

I should've done yoga (Dave/ACZC)

"Even though a meditator who dwells without devoting oneself to development may wish, 'O, that my heart/mind might be released from the defilements through not clinging!' still one's mind/heart remains unreleased from the defilements. Why is that? 'It is from the lack of development,' it should be said. Developing what?

1. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness,
2. the Four Right Efforts,
3. the Four Bases of Power,
4. the Five Faculties,
5. the Five Strengths,
6. the Seven Factors of Enlightenment,
7. the Noble Eightfold Path.

"Suppose a hen lays eight, ten, or 12 eggs which she DOES cover rightly, warms rightly, and incubates rightly: Even though she may not wish, 'O, that my chicks might break through the egg shells with their beaks and claws or and hatch safely!' still it is possible that the chicks will break through their shells and hatch safely. Why is that? It is because the hen has covered them, warmed them, and incubated them rightly.

"In the same way, even though a meditator who dwells devoted to development may not wish, 'O, that my heart/mind might be released from defilements through not clinging!' still one's mind/heart is released from the defilements through not clinging. Why is that? 'It is from development,' it should be said. The development of what?

1. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness,
2. the Four Right Efforts,
3. the Four Bases of Power,
4. the Five Faculties,
5. the Five Strengths,
6. the Seven Factors of Enlightenment,
7. the Noble Eightfold Path.

We made a resolution to regularly sit no matter what, and hard as it was, we stuck to it.

"Just as when a carpenter or apprentice sees fingermarks on the handle of an axe but does not know, 'Today my axe handle wore down this much, or yesterday it wore down that much, or the day before yesterday it wore down that much,' still the carpenter or apprentice knows it is worn away when it is worn away.

"In the same way, when a meditator dwells devoted to development, that meditator does not know, 'Today my defilements wore down this much, or yesterday they wore down that much, or the day before yesterday they wore down that much.' Nevertheless, one knows they are worn away when they are worn away.

"When an ocean-going ship that is rigged with masts and stays, after six months on the water, is left on shore for the winter, its stays -- weathered by heat and wind, moistened by clouds of the rainy season -- easily wither and rot away.

"In the same way, when a meditator dwells devoted to development, the fetters (bonds, samyojanas) easily wither and rot away." Source

• Dhr. Seven (ed.), Nava Sutta: "The Ship Discourse" (SN 22.101 PTS: S iii 152 CDB i 959) based on translation by Ven. Thanissaro (accesstoinsight.org, 1997), Wisdom Quarterly

Art of dying: How Zen masters face death

(Buddha's Wisdom) Zen wisdom on death: Why Buddhist masters die smiling

Four Buddhist love stories

(Lei's Looking Glass)

Does this mean we're breaking up? 😭

Try Axe, spray 16 times, and rub it in; no need for a shower

(Buddhism) How to love without attachment [desperate pathetic clinging] (Buddhism in English)

• What is "love"? In Buddhism, we usually mean upadana.
• What is LOVE? In English, we'd be better off with metta.
• What is love? That of which there's nothing higher
• Nothing Higher to Live For: Buddhist View of Romantic Love (ask Sexy, Sadie)

(RFC) Blind girl made whole station CRY with her stunning, amazing, and emotional voice

• Who is she? Aliènette - France's Got Talent 2016, Week 2

LYRICS: "Voila"

"Voilà" (English translation) – Barbara Pravi (Genius Lyrics)

Listen to me, me, the half singer

Talk about me, to your loved ones, to your friends

Tell them about this little girl with black eyes and crazy dreams

What I want is to write stories that you will hear about

That's all

[CHORUS] Voilà, voilà, voilà, here is who I am

Here I am, even if I'm scared as I'm naked, yes

Here I am in the noise and in silence

Look at me, or at least what's left of it

Look at me, before I hate myself
What can I say that another hasn't already said?

I don't have much, but I place here what I do have

Voilà

[CHORUS] Voilà, voilà, voilà, here is who I am

Here I am, even if it's the end as I'm naked

That's my face, that's my scream, here

I am, never mind

Western Buddhist nun Bhikkhuni Gotami is wise

Voilà, voilà, voilà, voilà right here

Me, my dream, my will, how

I'm dying from it, how I'm laughing at it

Here I am in the noise and in silence

Do not leave, I'm begging you to stay for a long time

It might not save me, no

But I don't know how to live without you

Love me how you would love a friend who's leaving forever

I want to be loved, because I don't know myself how to like the shape of me

[CHORUS] Voilà, voilà, voilà, here is who I am

Here I am, even if it's the end as I'm naked

Here I am in the noise and in rage, too

Finally, look at me and my eyes and my hands

All I have is here, it's my face, it's my scream

Here I am, here I am, here I am

Voilà, voilà

Voilà, voilà

How to let go according to Buddhism

(Buddhism in English)

(Thich Nhat Hanh) Our minds are lying to us. Observe instead of believing

Taylor Swift update: Kelce's ex (NPR)

• (Jemma Heigis) Review: Taylor Swift, Queen of Cringe
• (Jay Diggs) The Five Levels of Industry Plants

Our true feelings expressed

(Misha Petrov) Swift Fatigue: Are Swifties turning on Taylor?

'The Life of a Showgirl' spotlights Taylor Swift as she moves away from heartache

(Fresh Air) Reviewed by Ken Tucker, Oct. 8, 2025: Swift's previous albums focused on the love she yearned for. The dozen songs on her latest release combine to form a picture of true love found, tested, and proven strong. npr.org

Seth Meyers rewarded with a visit from Taylor Swift, Oct. 2025

• Is "Wood" PG-13?
• Is "Opalite" about Trav's ex?
• Is Nazi Barbie bat-s crazy or just making $$?

The Dalai Lama and Tibetan wisdom

Tibet, the path to Wisdom | SLICE | full documentary

Why do Tibetan monastics wear red robes?

(SLICE) TIBET. Ani Rigsang has chosen a nomadic lifestyle in the land of white clouds.

The Buddhist nun felt confined in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, so today she has taken to the road to reconnect with her country’s spiritual traditions, which are now threatened by rapid modernization and the reinforcement of Chinese control over the region.

From snowy mountains to green valleys, from nunnery to nunnery, this documentary accompanies Ani Rigsang as she makes her way through Tibet.

A moving testimony that brings together age-old traditions and legends, this film takes us through stunning landscapes, revealing to us a contrasting Tibet, jostled by modernization and the upheavals of its holy geography.

• Documentary: “Tibet, the path to wisdom”
• Direction: Hamid Sardar
• Production: DreamCatcherMotionProductions, les gens bien productions for France Télévisions & Ushuaïa TV

ABOUT: SLICE wants to fill up curiosity! Accessible to anyone from anywhere at any time, this channel is a weekly dose of short docs about curious facts, discoveries, astounding info, unusual stories, weird, fun and instructive. Be smart, have a slice! Subscribe now ► @slicedocumentary. Follow 👇 in French: slicefr. Facebook: slicedocs. Instagram: slicedocs.

WION: The Dalai Lama at 90, Legacy of Peace | The Story of the 14th Dalai Lama

• WION, Summer 2025; SLICE, May 29, 2022; CC Liu, Crystal Q. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Awakening is greatest human potential

Why awakening is the greatest human potential | Buddhist Wisdom

(Buddhism Podcast) Oct. 1, 2025: Buddhism Explained. What is our ultimate potential?

Buddhist wisdom points to awakening (bodhi, enlightenment, full realization of the Truth). This video explores why it's humanity's greatest birthright: a path to completely uproot suffering through penetrating insight into "not-self" (anatta) and "emptiness" (shunyata).

Discover how meditation and the Noble Eightfold Path lead to boundless compassion, wisdom, and inner peace.

Dive into timeless Buddhist teachings (like mindfulness of the body), philosophy, and psychology for true freedom and healing.

• 00:00 - What is awakening?
• 06:03 - Why is this our greatest potential?
• 10:55 - The path to awakening
• 15:36 - The awakened life

#Awakening #BuddhistWisdom #Mindfulness #Meditation #SelfTranscendence

Ghost Month continues: Shadow Realm

Get outta my way! Hungry ghosts are after me!

"Ghost Month" (the Seventh Month of the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar, corresponding to Sept. 6 to Oct. 6, 2025) is the time of the Ghost Festival (Yulanpen). It is observed among the Chinese diaspora population of the world, particularly in Chinatowns, Malaysia, Singapore, and anywhere Mahayana Buddhism dominates. Hungry ghosts or petas (Sanskrit pretas) are miserable being who have been reborn deprived due to unskillful karma (deeds).

• Wisdom Quarterly coverage: Hungry Ghost Festival

Guanyin feeding (Stephen Asma)

If hungry ghosts, demons, and malignant spirits are living beings, and Buddhists cherish all sentient beings, how do we exorcise them when they create obstacles in our lives? Why did Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) convert angry subhuman beings into "protectors of the Dharma" (Dharmapalas)? Why did the great Tibetan sage Milarepa have long conversations with ghosts and demons? How do can humans protect against curses and black magic? What are Buddhism’s Protective Verses (Parittas), and how do we chant them? These questions are answered in this “Buddhist Guide to Exorcism: A Spirit Handler’s Guide” and demonstrate some of the methods. More: Buddha Weekly

The Hungry Ghost Realm: A Buddhist Teaching of Hope in Addiction

Maha Moggallāna (Ven. Mulian)

(Mythos & Logos) Complete Archives: Mythos & Logos. The Realm of Hungry Ghosts (peta-loka) is a plane of existence in Buddhist cosmology, an unfortunate destination, an afterlife marked by deprivation, suffering, and dependency.

The journey of one of the Buddha's chief disciples, Maha Moggallāna (Sanskrit Maudgalyayana, Chinese Mulian), to this realm provides a first step for how to break the vicious cycle of addiction borne of trauma.

Many of us have a "hungry ghost" (peta, preta) lurking inside of us. If anyone is struggling, please reach out to a professional as there are many great organizations, including ‪@TWLOHA‬, filled with people trained and willing to help.*

• VIDEO: Buddhist Exorcism: Spirit-Handlers Guide - The Paritta Protection from Demons, Ghosts, Curses (Buddha Weekly)

Politics of hungry ghosts: Israeli imperialism

• (BBC World Service) Gaza: Dying for Food - BBC Gaza World Service Documentaries

Background Briefing with Ian Masters · September 23, 2025 - Dulcie Leimbach | Arthur Caplan | Maha Nassar

Trump trashes countries of the world at UN in front of the world’s leaders (Ian Masters, Background Briefing, Sept. 23, 2025, KPFK.org)

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:31 Bhavachakra at Punakha Dzong, Bhutan, photographed by Bernard Gagnon, licensed under Creative Commons
• 00:49 The Six Realms of Birth, Edo Period Japan, British Museum
• 01:13 Ghosts from the Bangkok National Museum
• 01:26 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
• 02:06 Unending Hunger
• 02:09 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
• 02:50 Haunting Ghosts from the Thirty-Seven Nats
• 03:15 Dr. Gabor Maté, In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction
• 03:54 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
• 04:39 Maudgalyayana [Maha Moggallana] Rescuing His Mother, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
• 05:05 From Darkness
• 05:08 Ven. Maha Moggallana at Wat Olak Madu, Kedah, photographed by Ven. Anandajoti Bhikkhu, licensed under Creative Commons
• 05:38 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
• 06:37 Yulanpen Sutra, Mahayana canon
• 07:12 Shakyamuni Buddha from the Dazu Rock Carvings, photographed by Michael Gunther, licensed under Creative Commons
• 07:42 Mulian Saves His Mother, 19th Century China
• 08:26 Into Light
• 08:30 Silk Roundel with Endless Knot Symbol, 19th Century China, Los Angeles County Museum of Art
• 09:00 Rahans Receiving Offerings, 19th Century Burma
• 09:18 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
• 09:57 Offering at Hong Kong Ghost Festival, photographed by Rose Tim Wing Mxuiek, licensed under Creative Commons
• 10:10 Begging monk in Himeji, photographed by Nesnad, licensed under Creative Commons
• 10:20 Mukaebi of the Bon Festival, photographed by Batholith
• 10:55 Conclusion
• 10:59 Homeless man in New York, photographed by CGP Grey, licensed under Creative Commons
• 11:09 The Drinker by Albert Anker
• 11:26 Sinhalese manuscript, photographed by Wellcome Images, licensed under Creative Commons
• 11:51 Floating Lanterns, photographed by San Lie, licensed under Creative Commons
• 12:25 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum Ambient - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

ABOUT: Mythos and Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story and Meaning.” Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation. Patreon: mythosandlogos. The purpose of this channel is to share the important stories at the foundation of human cultures throughout history. These include mythology, legends, folktales, religious stories, and parables from the dawn of history to the modern day. This channel provides interpretations and insight into these stories, to find and apply their meaning to contemporary life. All stories covered are treated academically. This channel makes no claims regarding the historical, scientific, or religious truth of these tales. Rather, its goal is to find the meanings understood by their authors and apply them to the modern world.

*All channel income from October 31-November 30, 2021, donated to To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) to help the Hungry Ghosts around us every day. Thanks for supporting an organization that helps those who are struggling.

• Parittas: Protective Buddhist Chants (Theravada Pali canon)
• Mythos & Logos, Oct. 31, 2021; CC Liu, Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Monkey Mind: 'Monkey-barring' for dating

'Monkey-barring' is the latest dating trend wreaking havoc on relationships

Without letting go of one, you grab the next.

(FOX 32 Chicago) Sept. 2, 2025: Certified counselor Love McPherson breaks down why some people jump from one relationship to the next [like a monkey grabbing bars, not letting go of one and already grabbing the next or like a frog waiting for a new pad to jump on instead of getting into the water of singlehood and swimming to find a better pad like a decent person] and offers steps for healing and forming healthier connections. "Fear of abandonment" anyone?

• Understanding the "Monkey Mind" in Buddhist Meditation with teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

What is monkey mind? Restlessness, worry...

A Modern Journey to the West

The term "monkey mind" originates from Chinese xīnyuán or Sino-Japanese shin'en (心猿), which literally means "heart-mind monkey."

It is a Buddhist concept that describes a state of restlessness, capriciousness, and lack of control of one's thoughts and emotions, the inability to find soothing stillness, calm, equanimity, poise, or maintain mindfulness.

Others suffer from it, too?

Attempts to suppress tend not to work. It is spurred by caffeine, stimulants, excitotoxins (chemicals), and is frequently followed by a crash, exhaustion, and cyclical dysfunction:

• Worry, sleepless, exhausted, stimulated, foggy, worried, sleepless, exhausted...

This "mind monkey" metaphor is found in Buddhist writings in Zen, Chan, Mind-only, Pure Land, and Shingon and has also been adopted by Taoism, Neo-Confucianism, Chinese poetry, theater, and literature.

Perfectionism is a mental illness.

The expression "monkey mind" commonly appears in two reversible four-character idioms paired with yima or iba (意馬), which means "idea horse."

Chinese xinyuanyima (心猿意馬) and Japanese ibashin'en (意馬心猿) illustrate the interconnectedness of a restless mind and wandering (discursive) thoughts.

The "Monkey King" Sun Wukong in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West is an iconic personification of feeling indecisive and unsettled. More

The Buddha: The Fire Sermon

The Fire Sermon: "All is burning"

The Fire Sermon (Buddhistdoor.net)

(Ādittapariyāya Sutta, SN 35.28) In the Pali language canon there is a discourse (sutra) called the "Fire Sermon Discourse," popularly referred to as the Fire Sermon [1].

In this discourse, the Buddha teaches that achieving liberation (vimutti, moksha) from all suffering (pain, disappointment, rebirth, and unsatisfactorinesss) through letting go everything (ALL) mind and the five senses obsessively CLING to as personal, as sources of pleasure, and/or as enduring.

• The Three Poisons of the Heart/Mind in Buddhism

This sutra is also found in the Buddhist Monastic Code (Vinaya) at Vin I 35 [5].

English speakers might be familiar with the name of this discourse due to T. S. Eliot's titling the third section of his celebrated poem "The Waste Land" as The Fire Sermon. In a footnote, Eliot states that this Buddhist discourse "corresponds in importance to the Sermon on the Mount" in Christianity [6].

Background

Let us cut off our jatas and follow this sage!

In the Pali canon's "Collection of Discourses" (Sutta Pitaka), the Fire Sermon is the third sutra delivered by the Buddha (after the first discourse, called the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta, and the Anattalakkhana Sutta), several months after his great awakening/enlightenment, on top of Gayasisa Hill, near Gaya, in what is now India (formerly the maha-janapada Kingdom of Magadha before there was an "India").

He delivered it to 1,000 newly converted wandering ascetics (samanas) who formerly practiced a sacred fire ritual (Pali aggihutta, Sanskrit agnihotra) [7].

The 5th-century CE post-canonical Pali commentary called the Sāratthappakāsini (the Spk.), attributed to the Theravada scholar-monk Buddhaghosa, draws a direct connection between the ascetics' prior practices and this discourse's main rhetorical device:

Having led the 1,000 ascetics to Gayā's Head, the Buddha reflected, "What kind of Dhamma talk would be suitable for them?"

He then realized, "In the past they worshipped fire morning and evening. I will teach them that the 12 sense bases (āyatana) are burning and blazing. In this way they will be able to attain full enlightenment" [8]. More

• The Fire Sermon: The Third Sermon of the Buddha (Buddhistdoor Global)
• Buddha's Wisdom; Dhr. Seven and Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

Why do we try to control everything?

Why we try to control everything – and why it never works – The Buddha's answer

(Buddhism Podcast) April 9, 2025: Buddhism Explained. This podcast explores a quiet habit that many of us carry — the habit of trying to CONTROL everything in life.

Through simple language and gentle reflection, we look at why the mind/heart holds on, how this creates tension and stress, and what begins to change when we stop forcing things.

With stories from the Buddha’s life and clear examples, this talk offers a calm and thoughtful way to understand clinging, change, and the freedom that comes from letting go.

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:47 - Why we try to control life
• 06:50 - Why control always fails
• 11:55 - What happens when we let go
• 17:01 - The Buddha’s real answer

#buddhismpodcast #buddhistteachings #donotcontroleverything

AI girlfriends, abortion, Grok Hitler (TDS)

From AI girlfriends to Grok Hitler, TDS takes on AI | The Daily Show

Who needs real human flesh models? Considered the $$ advantages of digital simulations?

.

(The Daily Show) Aug. 28, 2025: TDS takes on AI as AI takes over the world: Jon Stewart, Ronny Chieng, and Lewis Black examine how AI has infiltrated modern dating, made itself an integral part of college education, and even turned itself into "MechaHitler" on X.  #DailyShow #AI #Grok. Subscribe to The Daily Show: @thedailyshow

• Botika - AI generated models for fashion

Standup Jimmy Dore: "Grab 'em by the Pussy [Cat]" to launch 8/30/25

Consciousness does not end at death

Why consciousness doesn’t end at death — A Buddhist perspective

(Buddhism Podcast) Buddhism Explained. What happens to [this] consciousness when we die? Is it truly the end, or does something continue—perhaps not as an unchanging permanent "soul," but as an ever-dynamic process?

World Brain Day has come and gone, yet many
remain mindless. Death is not the end of it.

In this in-depth reflection on Buddhist philosophy, let's explore how the mind (heart) is not a fixed thing, but a flowing stream shaped by karma (intention, cetana).

Drawing from early Buddhist texts, lived traditions like the Tibetan tulku system, and even modern questions in psychology and neuroscience around memory and awareness, this video offers a clear and thoughtful look at how consciousness might continue beyond death—not through blind belief, but through direct experience and deep understanding.

Whether familiar with Buddhist ideas or simply curious about the nature of the mind, this is an invitation to reflect, observe, and consider what it means to live—and die—with wisdom.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 - Consciousness as conditioned stream
• 04:19 - Karma as intention
• 09:22 - Death transition without a "soul"
• 13:08 - Modern inquiries
• 18:39 - Why liberation, not just continuity

#BuddhistWisdom #ConsciousnessAndDeath #KarmaAndRebirth

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: "At our channel, we are committed to sharing the beauty and wisdom of Buddhist teachings with the purpose of education and inspiration. All our content is created with deep respect for the Buddha’s teachings, aiming to promote understanding, mindfulness, and compassion in everyday life. Our goal is to present the values and practices of Buddhism in a way that is accessible and beneficial to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. We do not seek to influence or alter anyone’s faith but simply to offer insights into the timeless wisdom of Buddhism as a source of guidance and positivity. This channel is a space for learning, reflection, and connection, guided by the principles of respect, kindness, and truth. If you have any feedback or concerns, we welcome open and respectful dialogue. Thank you for supporting our mission to share the meaningful messages of Buddhism with the world."

• Alan Watts via T&H Inspiration; Buddhism Podcast, Aug. 22, 2025; Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly