24 February 2016

Approaches to wisdom

Talks from our Dharma night theme on 'Approaches to wisdom'

Yellow Buddha

15 February
One of the classic ways of cultivating wisdom is to contemplate the arising and passing away of all things, even the Buddha. Parinirvana day marks the Buddha's passing away and also presents us with an opportunity to reflect on impermanence: old age, illness, and death. When done in the right spirit, such reflections can inspire us to not waste our time on impossible dreams of eternal youth, impeccable health and the avoidance of death. They can point us in directions where our efforts will bear fruit through greater tranquility, greater happiness, and greater joy. Ratnavyuha gave this Parinirvana day talk which was also the first in our series on 'Approaches to wisdom'

29 February
Is spiritual practice just about making our mind go 'blank', ridding it of all thoughts, or can directed thinking be an ally? In this talk Sujiva explores the practice of reflection and how it can help us develop deep insight into the nature of reality.

28 March
Buddhist wisdom practices provide tools to help us see the way things really are. Some are active and directive, others cultivate an open, receptive awareness so that our habitual ways of seeing things drop away and we can perceive ourselves, others and the world around us without preconceptions. Listen to Vajrajyoti's talk on 'Seeing through Illusion'