How to Arrive at the Truth (Pt. I)

Based on Bhikkhu Bodhi translation of "With Canki" (MN 95)

Thus have I heard. Once the Buddha was wandering in the Kosalan country with a large Sangha [community of monastics]. Eventually he arrived at a Kosalan brahmin village named Opasada. There the Buddha stayed in the Gods' Grove [called that because offerings were made there to the "gods" presumed to be extraterrestrials or dryads], the Sala-tree Grove to the north of Opasada.

At that time the brahmin Canki [pronounced Chunky] was ruling over Opasada, a crown property abounding in living beings, rich in grasslands, woodlands, waterways, and grain, a royal endowment, a sacred grant given to him by King Pasenadi of Kosala.

The brahmin householders of Opasada heard: "The recluse Gautama, son of the Sakyans who went forth from a Sakyan clan, has been wandering in the country of the Videhans with a large Sangha. Now a good report of Master Gotama has been spread to this effect:

"'The Blessed One is accomplished, fully enlightened, perfect in true knowledge and conduct, sublime, knower of worlds, incomparable leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of humans and devas, enlightened, blessed. He declairs this world with its devas [demigods], its Maras [lit. "killers"], and its Brahmas [divinities], this generation with its recluses and brahmins, with its princes and its people, which he himself realized with direct knowledge.

"'He teaches the Dharma that is good in the beginning, middle, and end, in terms of meaning and phrasing, and he reveals the higher-life which is utterly perfect and pure.' Now it is good to see such enlightened ones (arahants)."

Then the brahmin householders of Opasada set forth in groups and bands heading north to the Gods' Grove, the Sala-tree Grove.

On that occassion the brahmin Canki had retired to the upper storey of his palace for his midday rest when he saw the brahmin householders setting forth to the Gods' Grove. He asked his minister: "Good minister, why are the brahmin householders of Opasada setting forth?"

"Sir, there is the recluse Gotama, the son of the Sakyans who went forth from a Sakyan clan, who has been wandering in the Kosalan country...(as above). They are going to see the Master Gautama."

"Then, good minister, go to them and tell them: 'Sirs, the brahmin Canki says this: "Please wait, sirs. The brahmin Canki will also go to see the recluse Gotama."'"

"Yes, sir," replied the minister.

At that time many brahmins from various states were staying at Opasada on some business or other. They heard: "The brahmin Canki, it is said, is going to see the recluse Gautama." They went to the brahmin Canki and asked him: "Sir, is it true that you are going to see the recluse Gautama?"

"So it is, sirs. I am going to see the recluse Gautama."

"Sir, do not go to see the recluse Gautama. It is not proper, Master Canki, for you to go see the recluse Gautama. Rather, it is proper for him to come see you. For you, sir, are well-born on both sides, of pure maternal and paternal descent seven generations back, unassailable and impeccable with respect to birth. Since that is so, Master Canki, it is not proper for you to go see him. Rather, it is proper for him to come see you.

"You, sir, are rich, with great wealth and great possessions. You, sir, are a master of the Three Vedas with their vocabularies, liturgy, phonology, and etymology, and the histories as the fifth. Skilled in philology and grammar, you are fully versed in natural philosophy and in the marks of a Great Man. You, sir, are handsome, comely, and graceful, possessing supreme beauty of complexion, with sublime beauty and sublime presence, remarkable to behold. You, sir, are virtuous, mature in virtue, possessing mature virtue.

"You, sir, are a good speaker with a good delivery: you speak words that are courteous, distinct, flawless, and communicate the meaning. You, sir, teach the teachers of many, and you teach the recitation of the hymns to 300 brahmin students. You, sir, are honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by King Pasanadi of Kosala.

"You, sir, are honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by the brahmin Pokkharasati [another wealthy brahmin residing in Ukkattha, a crown property given to him by King Pasenadi, who at DN 2.21/i.110 hears a discourse from the Buddha, attains stream-entry, and goes for guidance (sarana) along with his family and retinue].

"You, sir, rule over Opasada, a crown property abounding in living beings...a sacred grant given to you by King Pasanadi of Kosala. Since this is so Master Canki, it is not proper for you to go see the recluse Gautama. Rather, it is proper for him to come see you."

When this was said the brahmin Canki told those brahmins:

"Now, sirs, hear from me why it is proper for me to go see Master Gautama and why it is not proper for him to come see me. Sirs, the recluse Gautama is well-born on both sides, of pure maternal and paternal descent seven generations back... [as said before of Canki].

"Sirs, the recluse Gautama went forth abandoning much gold and buillion stored away in vaults and depositories. Sirs, the recluse Gautama went forth from the home life into homelessness. While still young, a black-haired young man, endowed with the blessing of youth, in the prime of life. Sirs, the recluse Gautama shaved off his hair and beard, put on the saffron robe, and went forth though his mother and father wished otherwise and wept with tearful faces. Sirs, the recluse Gautama is handsome, comely, and graceful, possessing supreme beauty of complexion [as before].

"Sirs, the recluse Gautama is a teacher of the teachers of many. Sirs, the recluse Gautama is free from sensual lust and without personal vanity. Sirs, the recluse Gautama holds the doctrine of the moral efficacy of action [karma], the doctrine of the moral efficacy of deeds. He does not seek any harm for the line of brahmins. Sirs, the recluse Gautama went forth from an aristocratic family, from one of the original noble [khattiya caste] families.

"Sirs, the recluse Gautama went forth from a rich family, from a family of great wealth and great possessions. Sirs, people come from remote kingdoms and remote districts to question the recluse Gautama. Sirs, many thousands of devas have gone for guidance for life to the recluse Gautama. Sirs, a good report of the recluse Gautama has been spread to this effect: 'That Blessed One is accomplished, fully enlightened... (as before).

"Sirs, the recluse Gautama possesses the 32 marks of a Great Man. Sirs, King Seniya Bimbisara of Magadha and his wife and children have gone for guidance for life to the recluse Gautama. Sirs, King Pasenadi of Kosala and his wife and children have gone for guidance for life to the recluse Gautama.

"Sirs, the brahmin Pokkharasati and his wife and children have gone for guidance for life to the recluse Gautama. Sirs, the recluse Gautama has arrived at Opasada and is residing in the Gods' Grove. Now any recluses or bhramins who come to our town are our guests, and guests should be honored, respected, revered, and venerated by us. Therefore, so should the recluse Gautama. Since this is so, sirs, it is not proper for the recluse Gautama to come see me. Rather, it is proper for me to go see him.

"Sirs, this much is the praise of Master Gautama I have learned. But the praise of Master Gautama is not limited to this. For the praise of Master Gautama is immeasurable. Since he possesses each one of these factors, it is not proper for him to come see me. Rather, it is proper for me to go see him. Sirs, let us all go to see the recluse Gautama."

Then the brahmin Canki, together with a large company of brahmins went to see the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. When this courteous and amiable talk was finished he sat down to one side. [End of Part 1]

"Waiting for Armageddon" (film)

In theaters January 8, 2010: Americas 50-million strong Evangelical community is convinced that the world's future is foretold in Biblical prophecy, from the Rapture to the Battle of Armageddon. This astonishing documentary explores their world -- in their homes, at conferences, and on a wide-ranging tour of Israel. By interweaving Christian, Zionist, Jewish, and critical perspectives along with telling archival materials, the filmmakers probe the politically powerful -- and potentially explosive -- alliance between Evangelical Christians and an Israeli alliance that may set the stage for what one prominent Evangelical leader calls World War III (atheistmedia.com).

Edgar Cayce (History Channel)

Love: Reunited After Death

Wanting the perfect mate may be a quest for wholeness (humanityhealing.ning.com)

The Buddha was once asked if two people loved each other, could they see one other again after death. [They certainly could. Whether out of love, hate, or other intense sentiment, they are intertwining karma (actions capable of giving rise to a result anytime in the future). But they are not likely to be happy about meeting again and again unless they take the Buddha's advice to be virtuous to heart.]

The Buddha answered that it was indeed possible. The couple who asked had been married for a long time and was overjoyed that the Buddha said it was possible that they would meet again in the "continued wandering on through birth and death" (Samsara). The Buddha stipulated, however, that to do so it was very important the couple who wanted to be together again be mindful of a few things related to karma.

HOW TO BE (RE)UNITED IN FUTURE LIVES
Based on Bhikkhu Bodhi translation*

On one occasion the Buddha was dwelling among the Bhagga people, near Sumsumaragiri, in the Deer Park of the Bhesakala Grove. One morning the Blessed One dressed, took his upper robe and bowl, and went to the home of two householders.

Arriving there, he sat down on the seat prepared for him. Then the householder Nakulapita and the housewife Nakulamata* approached the Blessed One and, after paying homage to him, respectfully sat down to one side. So seated, the householder Nakulapita said to the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, ever since the young housewife Nakulamata was brought home to me, when I too was still young, I am not aware of having wronged her even in my thoughts, still less in my deeds. Our wish is to be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well."

Then Nakulamata the housewife addressed the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, ever since I was taken to the home of my young husband Nakulapita, while being a young girl myself, I am not aware of having wronged him even in my thoughts, still less in my deeds. Our wish is to be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well."

Then the Buddha spoke thus: "If two, householders, wish to be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well, they should have:

• the same faith (saddha)
• the same moral dicipline (sila)
• the same generosity (dana)
• the same wisdom (prajna)

Then they will be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well."

When both are faithful and generous,
Self-restrained, of righteous living,
They come together again
Full of love for each other.
Many blessings come their way,
They dwell together in happiness,
Their enemies are left dejected,
When both are equal in virtue
Having lived by Dharma, in this world,
The same in virtue and observance,
They rejoice after death in the deva-world,
Enjoying abundant happiness.
(AN 4:55; II 61-62)

*In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses From the Pali Canon (pp.121-122)

**The householder Nakulapita and the housewife Nakulamata were the foremost disciples with regard to their trust in the Buddha. See Nyanaponika and Hecker, Great Disciples of the Buddha, pp. 375-78.

The mysterious "Great Sage" Buddha statue

Maha Muni: Great Sage Buddha statue being covered in gold leaf (sacredsites.com)

There is a legend that once when the Buddha went to teach among the people of northern Burma, a local king requested him to leave an image of himself for the benefit of the people. Then, it is said, the Buddha sat for a week of meditation under a Bodhi tree while Sakka, the king of the devas, created a life-like image of great beauty. Pleased with the image, the Buddha decided to imbue it with his spiritual essence for a period of five thousand years.

It is debatable, but according to ancient tradition, only five likenesses of the Buddha were said to have been made during his lifetime: two were in India, two in paradise (somewhere in space, the celestial world where Sakka holds sway), and the fifth is the Maha Muni ("Great Sage") statue.

Archaeologists believe the image was probably cast during the reign of King Chandra Surya (whose name is a combination of two heavenly bodies, the Moon and Sun), who ascended the throne in AD 146, more than 600 years after the Buddha actually passed away. Little is known of the Maha Muni over the next 1,500 years. It was stolen, moved around by various kings and was once buried beneath a crumbling temple in the jungle.

Brought to Mandalay in 1784 and placed within a specially built shrine, it is the most venerated Buddha image in all of Burma. The statue, 4 meters tall and originally cast in some baser metal, is now entirely coated in a two-inch thick layer of gold leaf. So much gold leaf has been applied by so many different hands that the figure has developed an irregular outline. Many thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine each day and a great festival in early February draws hundreds of thousands. Source

Travel

• Southeast Asia: City, Ruins, and Beach
  10-day tour showcasing three of the best sights in SE Asia: Bangkok, Angkor Wat, and the island of Koh Samui. The perfect combination of Buddhist culture, history, relaxation (kensingtontours.com).
• iExplore Central Asia: The Silk Road
  11-16 day privately guided tour exploring the Silk Road and its rich cultures (iexplore.com)
• Himalayan Spiritual Retreat
  Find seclusion, peace, and solitude at Blue Mango in the Himalayas spiritual retreat as you enjoy a challenging, life changing experience (bluemangohimalayas.com).
• Inspirational Travel in Indochina
  Tailor-made travel to Indochina for adventurers and lovers of luxury, small group tours (buffalotours.com).

News

• China withdraws films to protest Dalai Lama documentary
  (CBC.ca) - China is incensed over a movie about the exiled Tibetan leader.
• China jails Tibetan filmmaker
  (The Guardian) The films featured interviews with ordinary Tibetans who expressed their love for the Dalai Lama, their exiled spiritual leader, and said the Olympics would...
• The Realist case for Tibetan autonomy (Wall Street Journal)
• Radiohead's Thom Yorke pens song for Tibet documentary
  (Aversion) Yorke contributes songs to the film's soundtrack. The film itself features interviews with Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and Richard Gere...

The Akashic Records and Buddhism

(EdgarCayceTV, Dec. 18, 2009) Join Kevin J. Todeschi, A.R.E.'s Executive Director and CEO, for the free online virtual conference presentation Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records. Explore the mystery of the Akashic Records, the storehouse of all information for every individual who has ever lived on Earth, and the source from which famed American psychic healer Edgar Cayce received many of his remarkable insights. More>>

Buddhist Correspondence (Wisdom Quarterly)

How Cayce's mystical information corresponds to Buddhism is amazing and worthy of note. First of all, the name akashic is Buddhist. In Pali and Sanskrit akasa/akasha refers to space and sky. The beings that inhabit that region are akasa-loka devas, that is, luminous beings of the lower celestial spheres.

The "records" they keep in the akasha or astral world may in some way be related to the working out of karma. This is not carried out in the simplistic way popular Christianity uses to communicate complicated ideas. St. Peter does not open a literal paper book in front of a pearly gate and make decisions of great import on the spot. But that's as easy a way of saying what happens via complex psychological processes as most people are willing to grasp; we go wrong when we take it literally then carry it to its logical conclusions.

Older details have fallen out of favor. But devas have various functions and can be understood in terms of many mythologies. Most familiar to Americans will be the array of angels in early Christianity and demigods in Greco-Roman/Pagan pantheons. [After all, what is thought to be "Christian" today is in fact simply derivative of Sumerian, Zoroastrian, Pagan lore. Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), although thought of as "New Age," was a devout Christian who was thoroughly convinced of the Buddhist doctrine of karma.]

Karma may work as an impersonal mental process (former and present intentions ripening) bringing forth its results as opportunity allows. Nevertheless, devas are actual beings as real as humans. These "angelic beings" are, variously, guardians, watchers, aides, messengers, protectors, hearers, and so on. They are taken to be symbolic because they are not part of ordinary human experience. Yet, they are discernible through jhana-meditation (samadhi), mystical experiences, and aided altered states. Ascetics in India and shamans throughout the world have long known and spoken of their existence. Cayce, extraordinary in how ordinary he was, managed to be aware of these realities.

The vast majority of devas, like the majority of humans, probably tend to their own affairs. But legend speaks most prominently of how they intervene (or intercede) in human affairs. Famously Sakka, the "lord of lords" (Tavatimsa devas) and "king of kings" (Catumaharajika devas), keeps an eye on the world, holds back inimical forces, and attempts to keep the world moral (sila) so that the rebirth of humans will take place in the "heavens" rather than unfortunate destinations collectively known as the Downfall, which are less-than-human abodes.

It is possible that just as humans keep records on lesser creatures (animals, insects, microbes, etc.) using means incomprehensible to those creatures, some manner of more intelligent life has access to data storage that would stagger the human imagination. Karmic information is said to be carried around in one's center, aura, and mind or more holographically than any single geographic location. We are not beings limited to this visible body, although many moderns can see nothing beyond it.

In countless sutras, the Buddha does not seem to be speaking of devas and karma (information in the akashic record) in a figurative sense but as actual experience. Some say he was only employing "skillful means" (upaya) to relate to his audience: Indian culture is replete with talk of avatars, heavenly visitors, and countless "gods" (devas). For example, the Thirty-three gods were already a fixture in ancient Indian lore. Whereas meditative details are reserved almost exclusively for dense Buddhist discussions in the Abhidharma and commentaries, particularly The Path of Purification, talk of such things runs throughout the discourses. Wisdom Quarterly has access to individuals who have experienced these beings -- through meditative skill -- and can thus verify that such beings are not simply figurative. Karma really comes to fruit: actions really bear results with volition (intention) as the determining factor.

What devas (angels) and Maha Brahma (God) may look like when not in human guise

Note that the cogent argument against a belief in or literal interpretation of such beings, namely that they are described differently over time and across cultures when they should be consistent if they were true, does not hold up: These beings can manifest as humans expect to see them rather than as they usually are. Remarkably beautiful, they will adopt dense human form or more subtle, translucent form. And they have access to the karmic record recorded in individuals and in a mainframe database accessible somewhere in the sky, space, or heavens (all valid definitions of the akashic world or dimension).

Kirsten Dunst Zen; Dalai Lama in India

(Wisdom Quarterly) It's a busy time for Tibet and the Dalai Lama, who visited a Jain site. China is bearing down on the political/religious leader. A Tibetan film-maker has been sentenced to six years by China for making a documentary about Tibet's problems. And Tibetan films have been pulled by China due to the Dalai Lama. Richard Gere steps into the fray. And Kirsten Dunst is getting spiritual.

Kirsten Dunst shares her Zen with a friend
(PopSugar) Kirsten Dunst stopped to pick up a friend before heading off to a yoga class in LA on Tuesday. December's Allure cover girl is focusing on her fitness on the West Coast during the holidays, though soon she'll have to switch up her routine when it comes time to promote All Good Things before its release in March.... Is Dunst a Buddhist? She dated Orlando Bloom, so some rumors are going about.

Zen III (Lisa5588/Flickr)

China: Dalai Lama is a political monk
BANGALORE, India - Wang Donghua, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China, on Sunday described the Dalai Lama as “a political monk.” The “Dalai Lama is a political monk and not a pure religious leader,” Mr. Wang told presspersons here in response to questions on the sidelines of a function organized to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of China, and the India-China Friendship Association, Karnataka. Earlier, the Association’s general secretary V. Bhaskaran said: “The Dalai Lama should be sent back from this country [India].” Responding to Mr. Bhaskaran’s statement, Mr. Wang said: “Dalai Lama is not a pure religious leader."

Richard Gere leads peace march at Dalai Lama sermon
GAYA, India - Hollywood actor Richard Gere braved the morning chill on Wednesday to listen to a special sermon by Tibet's temporal and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at the Kalchakra Maidan here. The Hollywood star joined hundreds of devotees at the historic venue, about 200 meters south of Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The session was organized on the occasion of the seven-day Geluk Monlam Puja at Mahabodhi Mahavihara here.

China sentences Tibetan film-maker to six years
WASHINGTON (AFP) — A Chinese court has handed a six-year prison term to a Tibetan film-maker who made an internationally watched documentary in which ordinary people aired grievances, his family said Wednesday. Dhondup Wangchen, 35, had trekked across the Himalayan territory for five months asking about topics including Chinese rule, the exiled Dalai Lama and the Olympics which Beijing was preparing to hold in August 2008.

Chinese Films Pulled From Festival in Protest
(NYTimes, Jan. 6, 2010) - Two Chinese movies have been pulled from the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California to protest another film about the Dalai Lama and Tibet, Agence France-Presse reported. The Chinese movies “Nanjing! Nanjing!” (also known as “City of Life and Death”) and “Quick Quick Slow Slow” were withdrawn, according to China’s state-run Beijing Times, because the festival plans to screen a movie called “The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet’s Struggle for Freedom” -- a documentary by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam that follows the Dalai Lama for a year. Its description in the festival’s program said that it chronicled “the 2008 protests in Tibet, the long march in India, the Beijing Olympics and the breakdown of talks with China.” The Beijing Times called the movie a “Tibetan independence” film.

Dalai Lama visits Jain pilgrim town of Palitana
BHAVNAGAR, India (Jan. 3, PTI) - Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today visited the Jain pilgrimage town of Palitana near Bhavnagar and delivered a religious discourse along with Jain scholars."The 20th century belonged to science and technology. The present 21st century would belong to spirituality and non-violence," Dalai Lama told reporters. He said Jainism and Buddhism are on the forefront of promoting peace and non-violence around the world. "Jainism and Buddhism are like twins who have brought along with them the message of oneness and non-violence for the world," he said.

Foods are often mislabelled about calories

Food calorie counts are often wrong

A new study reports an alarming difference between what's listed on many food labels and reality.

(AssociatedPress, 1/6/10) A violent clash between a conservation boat and a Japanese whaler has left the smaller boat badly damaged. Both sides are trading blame for the collision, which took place in Antarctic waters.

The Impossible Doctrine: "Not-self"

Ven. Nyanatiloka (editor BPS, author Buddhist Dictionary) and Wisdom Quarterly

Anattā: ("not-self," egolessness, impersonality) one of the three characteristics of existence. This doctrine teaches that neither in the material phenomena of the body, which are of four kinds (referred to collectively as "form" or materiality)

• fluidity
• heat
• support
• solidity

nor in the mental phenomena (referred to as "mind" or mentality), which are of four kinds

• sensation
• perception
• intention
• consciousness

is there to be found anything that in the ultimate sense can be regarded as an enduring self, ego, soul, identity, essence, or personality. Nor apart from these five (form, feeling, contact, volition, awareness) is such an entity to be found. There is no abiding substance. What is there? In the ultimate sense, there is impersonal phenomena. These things are taken to be a self, a soul, a real being who wills and experiences the fruit of skillful and unskillful karma.

This is the central and unique doctrine of Buddhism. Without understanding it, at least intellectually, an actual understanding of Buddhism is altogether impossible. It is the only really specific Buddhist doctrine, with which the entire structure of all Buddhist teaching stands or falls. The remaining Buddhist doctrines might, more or less, be found in other philosophical systems and religions. (Of course, they would not be aimed at the same goal nor posited in the same way as the Buddha teaches). But the anattā-doctrine has been clearly and unreservedly taught only by the Buddha.

On one occasion, asked about whether or not there was enlightenment and liberation in other teachings, the Buddha stated that unless there were an understanding of this doctrine, there could be no saints of the first, second, third, or fourth degree. Why? The deluded view clung to -- and the Five Aggregates regarded as a self are themselves called the "Aggregates of Clinging" -- keeps anyone searching from the ultimate truth that leads to liberation. The nonexistent self is not liberated. In a sense the self-idea, the pernicious view clung to, is released. It unravels under scrutiny. The truth sets one free as ignorance and delusion are dispelled.

Rebirth continues as an empty, aimless wandering -- hankering after pleasure and satisfaction here and there. Rebirth is possible because it is dependently arisen. That is, on account of ignorance other things come into being; on account of causes and conditions, the "entire mass of suffering" comes into being. Every link in the causal chain is impermanent and unsatisfactory. But the process is cyclical and incessant: The stream of cittas (the elements of perception and awareness) rolls on, carrying out its function, which is to experience objects. The impersonal (or empty) process moves forward as consciousness (vinanna) or life-continuum (bhavanga).

The anatta-doctrine is central because without glimpsing and penetrating this profound insight, there is no chance of stream-entry, the first degree of enlightenment and liberation from suffering. At best, suffering can be stalled or lessened, even for aeons, but again one will experience the result of karma, again falling prey to misery. As paradoxical as it may sound, the following is true: Although suffering is an illusion, a distortion of views that in the ultimate sense does not happen to anyone, since ultimately there is no self to experience it, there is an impersonal psycho-physical process that experiences it. And due to ignorance -- identifying with body, mind, and "personal" experience -- all the suffering in the world comes to be for an individual.

So embedded in the Dharma is this teaching that the Buddha is known as the anattā-vādi, or "Teacher of Impersonality." Of course, the Buddha distinguishes ultimate and conventional truth. Conventionally, we speak of a self, a soul, a real person who is intending and performing actions. Yet, it is an empty process not a reality. Ultimately, virtue, concentration, and insight reveal the liberating truth: the self, suffering, the world are not what they seem.

Whosoever has not penetrated the impersonality of all existence, and does not comprehend that in reality there exists only this continually self-consuming process of arising and passing bodily and mental phenomena, and that there is no separate ego-entity within or without this process, will not be able to understand Buddhism, that is, the teaching of the Four Noble Truths (sacca), in the right light.

Instead, one will think that it is one's ego, one's personality, that experiences suffering, one's personality that performs wholesome and unwholesome actions (karma), and that will be reborn according to these actions. One will think that it is one's personality that will "enter" into nirvana, one's personality that walks the Noble Eightfold Path. Thus it is said in the Path of Purification (Vis.M. XVI):

"Mere suffering exists, no sufferer is found; The deeds are, but no doer of the deeds is there; nirvana is, but not the one who enters it; the Path is, but no traveler on it is seen."

"Whosoever is not clear with regard to the conditionally-arisen phenomena, and does not comprehend that all the actions are conditioned through ignorance, and so on, thinks that it is an ego that understands or does not understand, that acts or causes to act, that comes to existence at rebirth...that has sense-impression, feels, desires, becomes attached, continues, and at rebirth again enters a new existence" (Vis.M. XVII, 117).

While in the case of the first two characteristics it is stated that all formations (sabbe saṅkhārā) -- all things that come into being -- are impermanent and unsatisfactory, the corresponding text for the third characteristic states that "all things are not-self" (sabbe dhammā anattā; MN 35, Dhp. 279).

This is to emphasize that the false view of an abiding self or substance is neither applicable to any "formation" (conditioned phenomenon) nor to nirvana, the unconditioned element (asaṅkhatā dhātu).

The Discourse on the Characteristic of Not-self (Anattā-lakkhaṇa sutra) was the Buddha's second discourse after enlightenment, delivered the first five disciples. After hearing it, they attained full enlightenment (arhatship).

The contemplation of not-self (anattānupassanā) leads to the emptiness liberation (suññatā-vimokkha, see vimokkha). Herein the faculty of wisdom (paññindriya) is outstanding. And one who attains the path of stream-entry in that way is called a Dharma-devotee (dhammānusāri; see ariya-puggala). At the next two stages of enlightenment, one becomes a vision-attainer (diṭṭhippatta). And at the highest stage, arhatship, one is called "liberated by wisdom" (paññā-vimutta).

For further details, refer to the Pali terms paramattha-sacca, paṭiccasamuppāda, khandha, ti-lakkhaṇa, nāma-rūpa, paṭisandhi.

Literature

• Anattā-lakkhaṇa Sutta, Vinaya I, 13-14; SN XXII, 59; translated in Three Cardinal Discourses of the Buddha (Wheel 17, Buddhist Publication Society).
• Another important text on anattā is the Discourse on the Snake Simile (Alagaddūpama Sutta, MN 22; translated in Wheel 48/49).
• Other relevant texts are also to be found in The Path of Purification.
• Further: Anattā and Nibbāna, by Ñāṇaponika Thera (Wheel 11); The Truth of Anattā, by Dr. G. P. Malalasekera (Wheel 94).
• And perhaps the best summary of all this information is found in the short book: The Three Basic Facts of Existence III: Egolessness (Wheel 202/204).

NASA chooses 3 options for next exploration

(CNET) - NASA has chosen three options it will consider as its next target for future scientific space exploration: Venus, the moon, or an asteroid.

The three areas of focus are finalists in a competition designed to help the space agency determine where it should spend its time and money to get the most scientific value out of research about our solar system. It's part of NASA's New Frontiers Program, which already has two missions under way.

The first is the New Horizons mission, a spacecraft that's currently on its way to Pluto and has already sent back images from a quick flyby of Jupiter. The second is called Juno, a large-scale survey of Jupiter that's planned for launch in 2011. This competition will determine the focus of New Frontiers' third mission. More>>

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New Buddhist Nunnery in Canada

Jennifer Green (The Ottawa Citizen, Dec. 29, 2009)

Ayya Medhanandi meditates at the Sati Saraniya Hermitage, a sanctuary for women to train to become Buddhist nuns (Julie Oliver/The Ottawa Citizen). Images

OTTAWA — Ayya Medhanandi, a Buddhist nun, hopes to soon ordain women in the Theravada tradition at her hermitage just west of Perth. The silence of the snowy fields, the stillness in the Sati Saraniya Hermitage: could such a peaceful place send a tremble through the world of Theravada Buddhism?

Ayya Medhanandi is a Theravada Buddhist nun who has opened Canada's first monastic residence exclusively for women, just west of Perth. As a bhikkhuni, or nun ordained on an equal footing with Buddhist monks, she hopes to offer women the same full-ordination she attained after decades of training.

If she succeeds, it will be the first time a woman has been ordained in her order in Canada, says the diminutive 60-year-old. So far, she has had about six or seven inquiries. There may be a catch, however. More>>

American yoga, custom-made for all

Doga is becoming increasingly popular as are other variations on the ancient practice

Yoga studios in the USA are customizing classes for every walk of life. In order to make the most commercial benefits from yoga, there is a rising trend to customize the system for specific sub-groups. There is:

• doga or yoga to do along with your dogs
• Buddhist yoga
• laughter yoga
• nude yoga
• equestrian yoga
• yoga for gardeners
• prenatal yoga
• kids' yoga
• mother-baby yoga
• yoga for surfers
• construction workers' yoga
• yoga for dancers
• yoga for blue collar workers, and the like. More>>

Yoga has no fewer than 1,008 postures to steady the mind and ready the body for meditation

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"Psychic Kids" (documentary)

CLICK TO WATCH NOW: Parts 1-5 "Psychic Kids: Angels and Demons" (A&E)

(ParanormRUs2) Countless children share an incredible secret: they have psychic abilities. Often feeling isolated and frightened, these kids have nowhere to turn. This is a documentary about a group of psychic kids and their parents coming together for the first time.

• Psychic Kids: "The Missing Person"

When East met West (Omegle online)

A true life e-generation epic by WQ editors

Omegle is a simple Web start-up idea. What if two complete strangers were to strike up a conversation across the country for no apparent reason? That's the idea. All Omegle tells you to do is say "hi!" Fun, mystery, or mind numbing disappointment ensues. Here are actual transcripts of a recent exchange on the meaning of life, teaching the Dharma, and Boxxy. Instead of "Thus have I heard," all sutras on Omegle begin: "You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!"

You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!

Stranger: oh!
Stranger: i suppose that means i should say hi!
Stranger: so... hi!
You: Hi stranger
Stranger: no, no, no, i'm not a stranger, you are!
Stranger: this website calls me "you" and it calls YOU "stranger"
You: Yeah, you're right. I guess I can't imagine what anyone is seeing on the screen
You: All I see is blank, and then it's like GO
Stranger: wow.
Stranger: such is life.
Stranger: you're prophetic.
You: True, makes me wonder if life is living me or if I just want a cappuccino
You: where are you?
Stranger: What is life for?
Stranger: and if god created the earth, did he ever intend for us to be bored enough to go on a website called omegle.com?
You: Life is wasted on the living
Stranger: and if he did not, then mustn't god be infallible?
Stranger: and if god is infallible, then why does the majority of the world worship him?
Stranger: and if the majority of the world worships an infallible god, then is not life wasted?
You: God is fallible when "god" is just another guy. When it's karma, it's infallible
Stranger: and if life is constantly wasted, then why does it exist?
You: Life goes on because of causes and conditions, not because it is going somewhere or has a point
Stranger: but then why does it end for people
Stranger: if it's continuous
Stranger: and forever in fact exists

Stranger: then won't humans become awfully bored
You: It doesn't really end, just changes. Those changes we call ends. It goes on yet not in any way forever, just for the moment
Stranger: but then does life exist after death?

New website that randomly connects people briefly explained and demonstrated

You: Humans won't become bored because they don't see it happening. They can imagine anything they way. And their lively imaginations keep them humming along, happily enough
You: Life exists after life.
Stranger: when a brain dies, does not the imagination die too?
Stranger: so when you step on an ant, it doesn't all just go blank?
Stranger: it starts dreaming or imagining things?
Stranger: because that's part of the brain, which has just been crushed.
You: There's this one as there have been hundreds of thousands before it, like a strand of pearls. The life of the mind is not the brain. Consciousness infuses the brain like software. As for the ant, it does not go blank
You: Mind is one thing. Conk a person unconscious, but there will be life still. When normal thinking resumes, the mind closes the gap. One imagines, and yet things are real. The real is, and imagination overrides. But the real is just the same
Stranger: but an unconscious human functions because their brain and heart and organs remain intact
Stranger: once they do not, it should go blank.
You: Yes, in a sense. But it does not stay blank. If it's coming back, it could seem blank. If it isn't -- even if the signs are there that it isn't -- consciousness won't skip a beat. Don't confound brain with mind. They aren't the same.
Stranger: alright, well, if afterlife is as you say, does it go on forever?
Stranger: do people imagine things in their brain based on their short one hundred or so years on earth for all of eternity?
You: Let me ask you, does a hamster wheel go on forever?
Stranger: not when the hamster gets off
You: So in the same way, if we get off, then it will not be "forever." But say the hamster, theoretically, didn't get off, how long would it go on?
Stranger: forever, but if the hamster dies, it stops
You: Yes, in a sense forever. So long as we keep on, it keeps on. The hamster is not the wheel. It's an analogy. You are not this you, this 100 years. So long as you think that, you could well say it is on now, brain is functioning, and the BLANK is coming. But it is not that way.
You: Sadly, the blank is not coming. It'll keep going on. We say, hooray, I don't have to die. You'll die for sure, at least this "you" will. This is not you. Will that be you next time? No more you than this time. Yet the wheel will keep keeping on. Given that, shouldn't we want for a way off?
Stranger: but
Stranger: all the senses
Stranger: everything, even that involved in understanding the idea of myself
Stranger: all of that is controlled by this "me"
Stranger: so without that, it must end.
You: The brain is tied to the senses. The brain is the body. But the mind is different, as different as hardware and software. The best computer is junk without a smooth operating system and program, and vice versa. All of "this" is taken to be you, a mistake. It's not you. For example,
Stranger: who is to say said "mind" exists

Stranger: it is a concept thought up by the brain.



You: For example, did you know that blind people have been operated on and "died" on the table. It was a near death experience, not death. When the body sensed itself dying, it released the mind. The mind rose, and they looked down. Hello. They're blind. Yet they saw, and they described what they could not possibly have seen. So when they said
You: ..."I saw this and that was there," the doctors and nurses were bewildered. How could they "see" anything, dead or not dead? A) Dead don't see, and even if they do, B) the blind don't. All this is to say that the mind and brain/senses are not one and the same.
Stranger: hm
Stranger: you make interesting points.
You: Thank you. Yes, and that's not all.
You: The fact that you're listening or reading on, why is that?
Stranger: i'm interested in what you're saying. i'm not sure i believe it all, but i'm interested.
You: Surely I'm talking "nonsense." Well, anybody knows we're just brain/senses. And God is great. And people are silly...
You: No, you know why I think you're listening/reading on? I think, and this is just a thought mind you, that you hear it on another level. Like Stephen Colbert jokingly says, you feel the "truthiness" of it. Why is that? Surely if this were all just a 100 year jaunt, you'd say, balderdash!
You: ...bollocks, hogwash, pooh, Lake Titicaca

Stranger: i mean, there are aspects of it that i'd certainly like to believe
You: Ah. :) Which aspects?
Stranger: but honestly, i think that life after death is a mystery and if it were as simple or as assumed as you say then life would be pointless.
You: Yes, friend, have you heard of shamans and mystics?
Stranger: yes
You: Is anything they have to say of use to us in our workaday "normal" state?
You: I'm interested. Tell me. What have I said that seems simple? If anything, I'm saying a more complicated thing. I think that, OH if only I could go blank at the end of it all. I mean, I wouldn't have anything to worry. Row row row this boat, gently down the stream -- and have fun in the mean time because, you know, life is but a dream.
Stranger: well
Stranger: you seem to have all the questions of death answered by the single concept of a mind vs a brain
Stranger: but i don't think you can answer questions using a concept invented by man
Stranger: well, i mean, all concepts are invented by man
Stranger: but an unproven idea
You: No, I don't mean to sound that way. It's only that anyone who equates mind and brain takes the Materialism camp. It's a philosophical argument that life is as simple as it appears. It is just what we normally see. But we can deduce that it is far more complicated, right?
Stranger: but who is to say life isn't as simple as it appears?
Stranger: oh, and just wondering, (in typical omegle fashion) asl?
Stranger: like i'm curious as to where this is coming from
You: I am. And I'm not the only one. I've just told you about the blind in near death experiences "seeing." The evidence they came back with, I mean, that's not concept and opinion. That's the fact. And that's but one isolated piece of evidence. Shall I adduce more?
Stranger: but they come back with things they want to believe happen.
You: Who, the blind?
Stranger: in a near death experience, it can be explained by imagination, or what they imagine sight to be
You: Yes, that's right. I mean they must "see" in their imaginations. But I'm telling you they saw what actually was. Dead or alive, they could not have seen that. Yet they saw. They reported it correctly. If you tell me you're in Los Angeles, then I'll say, Oh yeah? Look out the window. What do you see? If you're actually in LA, you stand a chance of telling me. If you're blind and not in LA, what chance do you have? For blind NDEs to see, that's like a double-blind study.

Stranger: (and you ignore my question about age/sex/location)
You: Oh, sorry, Omegle fashion, 25, male, usa, west coast, college type, pensive,

You: ...wonky, wondrous, the whole thing...
Stranger: hahah
Stranger: do you have instant messaging

Stranger: or something?
Stranger: i'm just wondering because this is an interesting conversation
You: yes, I suppose I do, but you know...
Stranger: i was going to say facebook, but seeing as you're quite a bit older than me that doesn't seem like much of an option
You: I have facebook because this girl I like is on it all the time, and to see her latest pics...
You: Omegle fashion and all...asl? And I haven't even heard your humor. How's about a laugh, mate? Tickle the rib cage?
Stranger: hahahah
Stranger: i mean, this hasn't been a very humorous conversation
You: I know, that's why I say how's about a joke, an amusing anecdote at least?
Stranger: it's rather taken me by surprise, you see, normally i go on omegle and mock people or make them feel uncomfortable, leaving them to disconnect
You: ha ha ha, you're a cad!
Stranger: well you get some good ones.
You: You can say you don't have a joke on hand. I can produce. I'm a laugh riot.
Stranger: for instance
Stranger: You: oh hey Stranger: heyyyyYou: whoa whoa whoa, wait a sec, why all the y's? You: stocking up for winter? Stranger: wtf Your conversational partner has disconnected.
Stranger: that was a lovely short and sweet one.
Stranger: but a friend of mine had a good laugh with
You: Did I miss the asl?
Stranger: You: hi Stranger: hey, are you a horny girl with a webcam and msn? You: replace girl with balding middle aged man, webcam with saggy tighty whities, and msn with a passion for fashion and we're in business! ;)Your conversational partner has disconnected.
Stranger: what asl?
You: your asl
Stranger: ohh.
Stranger: i'm male
Stranger: east coast
Stranger: 16
Stranger: hence my hesitance to friend you on facebook. i'm sure your a lovely person, but seeing as i'm still in high school, it doesn't seem wise.
You: That's right. Don't friend people. Just tweet them or something. Whoa, whoa, whoa, where's all the deep philosophy coming from if you're still in high school?
Stranger: i mean, sooner or later one has to think about it, right?
You: I heard a funny one today. Have you ever heard of the word "chutzpah"? Of course, look who I'm asking. "East coast," philosophical, mocking the good folks on Omegle, you wouldn't be one of the chosen, eh?
Stranger: not to say i'm an intense book nerd, far from it actually, but i'd like to think i'm more mature thinking wise than teenagers?
Stranger: chutzpah?
Stranger: is this a foreign concept to the west coast?
You: No, it's a joke.
You: That is to say, the joke is coming if you haven't heard it. But I hear the East coast is all jokes, all the time.
You: So maybe you've heard it. What's the definition of chutzpah? (That's the rhetorical opening of the joke).
Stranger: (i see?)
Stranger: Gee, I haven't a clue, what is it?
You: This lady opens up a sidewalk stand selling pretzels for 25 cents.
You: This guy comes around every day and buys one. Only thing is, he never takes one. He just drops a quarter in her can.
You: One day he comes by and is about to drop a quarter in the can when the woman blocks him and says, "Hey, they're 50 cents now."
You: Now that's chutzpah!
You: {Crickets sounding}

Stranger: I'm not sure I understand
Stranger: hahaha
You: The nice Jewish lady has some real b*lls. I mean the guy has never taken a pretzel and she's going to jack the price up on him, come on, that's some cahones.
You: All right, we've covered God, and bad jokes (of an ethnically sensitive nature), let's talk about our other favorite topic, okay?
Stranger: ohhhh hahaha!!!
Stranger: what's our other favorite topic?
You: Girls, I hope, I mean, you do like girls, right?
You: And not just as "friends."
You: Like, for instance, this will sound dumb. Chris Crocker is off-putting but Boxxy is gorgeous, no?
Stranger: Actually I'm gay.
You: All right, let me rephrase that. Boxxy is a piece of t*rd. But that Chris Crocker's a real looker, yes?
You: No, come on, gay or not, Boxxy is amazing, or does everyone in high school hate her to the point of oblivion?
Your conversational partner has disconnected.

Boxxy the Internet phenomenon analyzed as epic viral media

The Big Blue Buddha Bus

Blue Buddha Bus casting a shadow on a trip to Ashland, Oregon PHOTOS

Born at the Crown Bus factory in Los Angeles, her purpose then was to transport the children of former hippies to and from school. On occasion she was used to take these same children on field trips to such places like Disneyland. She was retired a few years back and has gone some major changes inside and out, including being converted to run on 100% biodiesel fuel. The Blue Buddha Bus, as I've named her, is the flagship of an up and comping non-profit organization that travels the country promoting green technology and sustainable living techniques. More>>

Backseat passengers on the Blue Buddha Bus

Fake monk business turning profits

BODH GAYA, India (RT) - In a small Indian town where the holiest temple for Buddhists was erected on the very spot where the Buddha [is thought to have] gained enlightenment, with tens of thousands of pilgrims visiting every day, fake monks are becoming routine.

The Indian town of Bodh Gaya is considered the birthplace of Buddhism [which in fact was born in either Sarnath, where the first sutra was delivered, or Rajagaha, where it was organized into a religion at the First Council]. It is here that the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment 2,600 [or more] years ago.

Just 200 meters away from the temple, locals shave their kids’ heads to make them look like Buddhist monks, and Hindu schoolboys play truant from school to attend prayers in the temple and to earn up to $US 4 a day [panhandling]. More>>

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Twin Cities chant and meditation event

Jeff Strickler (Star Tribune, Jan. 1, 2010)
Last January, more than 400 people from across the Twin Cities area joined forces -- and energies -- to meditate for peace. And that's just counting the people who showed up; those who couldn't make it were encouraged to join in by meditating wherever they happened to be at the time. An even bigger crowd is expected at 7 p.m. Thursday for this year's Peace on Earth Meditation. The leader of last year's event, Chunyi Lin of the Twin Cities-based Spring Forest Qigong studios, will return to guide the meditation, which will be preceded by chanting from the monks of the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery. More>>

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New Year's Resolution: "Commit to Sit"

Take Tricycle's 28-day meditation challenge and go on retreat without leaving home.

DAILY PRACTICE RESOLUTION

• Week One: The Breath
• Week Two: The Body
• Week Three: Emotions and Hindrances
• Week Four: Thoughts
• (Special practice section is best viewed in PDF format)

WE DON"T HAVE TO REMIND YOU how toxic our lives can be. Stress at work, arguments with loved ones, poor diets, and too many hectic weekends conjure daydreams of Himalayan caves — guaranteed not to have cell phone reception. But in reality, even that retreat you’ve been planning for years feels like an impossible commitment.

Balancing a commitment to becoming more compassionate and wise with the responsibilities of a family, a career, and a checking account is a near-constant dilemna for many practitioners. To help, we’ve teamed up with one of the West’s foremost Buddhist teachers, Sharon Salzberg, to create an intensive meditation program designed for your busy schedule.

No steep retreat fees, no putting newspaper delivery on hold, no out-of-office replies required. Our 28-day "Commit to Sit" challenge puts that daydream of an intense daily practice to the test. More>>

Harder to start than you thought? Here's an easier method offered by Dr. Dean Ornish.