Buddhism As Education

All phenomena are manifested by the mind. Our environment changes according to our mind. "Environment" here means mountains, rivers, earth, trees, flowers and grass. They all can be changed by our minds and we have to remember this sentence.. If we can be persons with pure, virtuous, sincere, compassionate mind, then the mountains, rivers, earth, trees, flowers and grass will become strong and wonderful. If our mind are full of greed, anger, ignorance and arrogance and our thoughts are constantly taking advantage over others to benefit ourselves, then the outer world will turn fragile. The true nature is of the utmost purity and virtuousness, it is perfect and radiant. Habits are the bad thoughts and views that one acquired after birth. Simply put, the conflict between the true nature and acquired habits are the conflict between altruism and self benefit. Compassion, loving kindness and all virtues are innate in the true nature of all beings, while selfishness and all ...

What can we do when we have hurt people and now they cannot consider us to be their enemy? These people might be those in our family, in our community or in another country. We think you know the answer. There are few things to do. The first thing is to take the time to say, "I am sorry, I hurt you out of my ignorance, out of my lack of mindfulness, out of my lack of skillfulness. I will try my best to change myself. I don't dare to say anything more onto you". Sometimes, we do not have the intention to hurt, but because we are not mindful or skillful enough, we hurt someone. Being mindful in our daily life is important, speaking in a way that will not hurt anyone. The second thing to do is to try bring out the best part in ourselves, the part of the flower, to transform ourselves. That is the only way to demonstrate what you have just said. when you have become fresh and pleasant, the other person will notice very soon. Then, when there is a chance to approach t...

Anger is an unpleasant feeling. It is like a blazing flame that burns up our self-control and causes us to say and do things that we will regret later. When someone is angry, we can see clearly that he or she is abiding in hell. Anger and hatred are the materials from which hell is made. A mind without anger is cool, fresh and sane. The absence of anger is the basis of real happiness, the basis of live and compassion. When our anger is placed under the lamp of mindfulness, it immediately begins to lose some of its destructive nature. We can say to ourselves, "Breathing in, I know that anger is in me. Breathing out, I know that I am my anger". If we follow our breathing closely while we identify and mindfully observe our anger, it can no longer monopolize our consciousness. Awareness can be called upon to be a companion for our anger. Our awareness of our anger does not suppress it or drive it out. It just looks after it. This is a very important principle. Mindfulness ...

Let us look at the idea that no one can cause us psychological pain, starting with some reflections. Can you recall an incident when someone said something to you that you experienced as painful, either a small slight or an insult? What is your reaction: Irritation; indignation; self-justification; full blown anger? Were you aware the hurt you felt? Or did you quickly pass over that to anger? Was it only afterward that you felt the hurt? What did it lead to? An angry exchange? A long hostile relationship? Slander? Has anyone ever attacked you physically, perhaps as mild as a shove in a queue? Or has someone in a rush pushed you out of the way? Maybe someone has hit you or thumped you on the nose? What was your reaction? Was there any different from the above but simply more intense? Was there a desire for revenge? Can you recall an incident when you said something cruel to someone. Just a quip but it was meant to sting. How did you feel immediately afterward? Satisfied? Well-pleased? A...