Dharma Monday

The five spiritual faculties

Shrine

In Buddhism 'The five spiritual faculties' are faith (shraddha), vigour (virya), mindfulness (sati), concentration (samadhi) and wisdom (prajna). Also known as virtues they are seen to be necessary for spiritual progress to take place.

As we progress on the path these virtues are seen to become stronger forces within us that gradually shape and flavour everything we think, feel and do. These virtues are sometimes also referred to as powers (balas) in that they are said to eventually be unshakeable by their opposites.

Over the next five weeks we have different members of our sangha speaking and expanding on each of the faculties/virtues in turn.

On the first night Karunajoti will introduce the theme and speak on faith (shraddha), the following week we have Vasudhara speaking on concentration (samadhi), then Robert Gonzalez on mindfulness (sati), Kusalamani on vigour (virya) and on the last week Ratnavuyha will talk on wisdom (prajna).

The place of faith (shraddha) in Buddhism with Karunajoti
In Buddhism faith (shraddha) covers the whole devotional or feeling aspect of the spiritual life. It is the emotional counterpart to reason and balances it. What we understand through reason and intelligence we must also feel with our emotions. Shraddha in Buddhism is faith in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. But it is especially towards the Buddha himself as the founder of Buddhism. We wouldn’t have the Dharma or the Sangha without the Buddha in the first place.

In the Mahayana teachings it says that all beings are in possession of the element of Buddhahood. This element is nothing but the reflection of the Absolute in the mirror of the so called individual consciousness. Only because they are in possession of this reflected image do beings feel an affinity for Enlightenment.

There is wonderful phrase from ‘The Survey’ by Sangharakshita which goes:

‘One of the strings of musical instrument being struck, the corresponding string of the instrument beside it begins to vibrate. When the devotee hears the music of Enlightenment, when he stands in the very presence of the Buddha, his own element of Buddha-hood starts vibrating. Hence he knows that the great being before him is striking upon the strings of his own heart the mighty chord of Supreme Enlightenment.’

Dharma night is suitable for those who would like to learn more about Buddhism. It is also a popular night for regular friends to drop in and practice together. If you are a beginner but can't get to/or have just started one of our meditation classes, you are still welcome to come and join in.

The usual program for the evening is a talk on some aspect of Buddhism, tea break, then group meditation to end the evening.

Dharma talks at the Auckland Buddhist Centre
A collection of talks given by the Sangha available for download

When

20 August 2018  7:00pm-9:15pm

Cost

Koha/dana

Caring for each other's health

Before attending, please read our current Covid Guidelines. This is part of how we practice together.

Location

Image of The Auckland Buddhist Centre
The Auckland Buddhist Centre

45b Normanby Rd, Mt Eden

Led by

Portrait of Karunajoti
Karunajoti

Karunajoti’s first introduction to Buddhism was through a meditation class at the Auckland Buddhist Centre in 1999. This led to a strong desire to…