“If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.”
~ Pema Chodron
Today, I wish to simply express the Buddha’s first teaching.
From love to deeper love ….
The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which means the Turning of the Wheel of Truth or the Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion, was given on the full-moon day of July, 600BC.
This discourse was given to the five ascetics who were Buddha’s former companions, at the Deer Park (now called Sarnath), near Benares, India.
The Buddha started the discourse by advising the five ascetics to give up two extremes:
1. Indulgence in sensual pleasures (self indulgence), and
2. The tormenting of the body (self-mortification).
He advised against too much sensual pleasure because these pleasures were base, worldly, not noble and unhelpful in spiritual development. On the other hand, tormenting the body was painful, not noble and also unhelpful in spiritual development.
He advised them to follow the Middle Way …
The Middle Way, that which is helpful in seeing things clearly, as they are, and in attaining knowledge, higher wisdom, peace, and enlightenment or nirvana.
The Buddha then taught the Four Noble Truths. They are:
1. The truth of suffering; Everything in this world is full of suffering.
2. The causes of suffering: Craving
3. There is an end to suffering: Nirvana.
4. The way to the end of suffering: The Noble Eightfold Path.
This is what the Buddha taught. That is all.
Until we can recognize the suffering of all beings as our own, and fully contemplate this suffering with compassion, there will be no end.
We will be eaten up, with craving, just like this angry shark or killer whale in the clouds …
To cease from evil,
To do what is good.
To cleanse one’s mind:
This is the advice of all the Buddhas.
❤
