Level 2 class 09 - The perfection of diligence (Virya)

1. The function of diligence is to help us deal with the habits of indolence and laziness. From a more subtle aspect, the practice of diligence can help us to courageously face all the difficulties during meditation.
2. We should make efforts on the right way. Otherwise, the more diligent we are, the farther we are from our goals.
3. Focus our minds on one thing one time, then nothing can not be achieved.
4. It is easy to be diligent in the beginning of our practice, but it is difficult to be persistent in the practice.
5. Cultivation is very easy: turn what we are unfamiliar with to be what we are good at; turn what we are already good at to be what we are foreign to.
6. The perfection of diligence is
(1) to be mindful moment to moment without pausing.
(2) to raise no wandering thought and still keep our awareness.

Level 2 class 07 - The perfection of moral conduct (Sila)

1. The definition of Sila
2. The function of Sila
2-1. The fundation for meditation and wisdom
2-2. Build up a self-control, self-restraint mechanism in our minds
3. The first precepts--are both simple and difficult
4. Precepts for Monks
5. Precepts for Laity
6. Why are five precepts so important for your cultivation
7. The perfection of moral conduct
7-1. From passive aspects to active aspects
7-1. From our behavior to our thoughts

Level 2 Class 05 - Perfection of Charity

2009-02-14

One may think: I'm giving something to you, you should be grateful to me. Buddhism teaches that we should respect and be grateful to the people we are giving to. Do you remember why?

The perfection of charity (dana paramita) is a difficult idea, involving the "Triple Emptiness": there is no giver, there is no object being given, and there is no receiver. People who has achieved perfection of charity give continuously without thinking that they are giving, that someone is indebted to them, or even that the gifts were from them.

We'll encounter the same similar concept in the other five perfections.

Level 2 Class 04 - Dana Paramita - The Art of Giving

Dana paramita is the perfection of charity.

We talked about different kinds of of charity: external material giving (money, food, clothing), and internal material giving (body parts, sacrificing one's own life). Just as important is the giving of solace and courage. Even more important is the gift of the Dharma.

We also discussed some cases when not giving is the right thing to do!
Someone mentioned the "art of giving". I think that is an excellent way to think about the perfection of dana.

1. Is the act of charity purely out of our kindness, or do we have a duty to give?
2. Who are the people that regularly risk their lives to ensure the rest of us have a safe environment to live?
3. What if a friend is addicted to gambling or drugs and wants to borrow money from you?
4. Share an incident of how your life was deeply affected by an act of giving.
5. What is involved in "the art of giving"? That is, how can we give in a way that truly benefit others the best?

I will begin by sharing an incident of mine. I was a college freshman taking the bus for the first time. It was late at night, all the stores were closed, and I got lost in downtown LA. Finally I got on the last bus to Pasadena. When the bus driver had no changes for my $20 bill, I asked if anyone on the bus did. Dead silence. Actually, more like complete ignorance. I stood there embarrassed, not sure what to do. Finally, a black man walked to the front, dropped a couple of coins, and returned to his seat without saying a word. I never forgot his slim shadow as he disappeared into the darkness in the back of the bus.

I often thought of how this small act of kindness penetrated to the very core of my being.

Level 2 Zen Class 03 Five Precepts

2009-01-24 & 01-31

In these two classes we covered a topic that we should've done in the Level One class but ran out of time.

Please reflect on the following:

1. No Killing
2. No Stealing
3. No Sexual Misconduct
4. No Lying (or Verbal Offense)
5. No Intoxicants

Questions:

1. Is killing a human as bad as killing a chicken? Why or why not?
2. Is killing a puppy as bad as eating veal? Why or why not?
3. Why is the livestock industry responsible for more greenhouse pollution than the air, land, and water traffic?
4. What's wrong with alcohol, if I don't get drunk? (Think of the purpose of meditation).
5. What are the correct intentions or mental attitudes in observing the Five Precepts? For example, in observing the "No Killing" precept, the underlying attitude is "not to harm anyone". What about the other four precepts?
6. Are there exceptions to these Five Precepts? For example, is it ok to say something you know is not true, under some special conditions?
7. Then, is it ever justified to kill a person?
8. How about stealing and taking intoxicants?
   

Level 2 Zen Class 2009-01-17 Bodhisattva Ideal

Welcome to the 21 students who returned for the Level 2 class!

Level 1 was focused on one's own liberation, namely the Four Noble Truths.
Level 2 will focus on the Bodhisattva's practice, namely the Six Paramitas (or Six Perfections).

Today we talked about the "Bodhisattva Ideal" by learning from five famous bodhisattvas and what they represent:

1. Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara): Great compassion
2. Manjusri: Great wisdom
3. Earth Treasure (Ksitigarbha): Great vow
4. Universal Virtue (Samatabhadra): Great conduct
5. Maitreya the Future Buddha: Kindness, and hope--that we can be a buddha too, if we follow the bodhisattva way.

Questions:

1. Find some pictures of each of these bodhisattvas and post them here.
   
2. What are the two possible meanings of the word "bodhisattva"?
3. What does a bodhisattva has to do besides attain complete enlightenment?
4. What are the two possible meanings of the name "Avalokiteshvara" ("Guanyin")?
5. Why does Bodhisattva Manjusri carry a sword?
6. Why is Bodhisattva Earth Treasure's work in freeing all beings in hell never done?
7. Maitreya is slim in India, and chubby in China. Guanyin is a man in India, and a woman in China. What does that say about our physical form?

Send in your answers via the comments button below.