Wednesday, May 14, 2008

國土危脆,世間無常

為佛弟子,常於晝夜,至心誦念八大人覺:

第一覺悟:世間無常;國土危脆,四大苦空,五陰無我,生滅變異,虛偽無主,心是惡源,形為罪藪,如是觀察,漸離生死。

第二覺知:多欲為苦;生死疲勞,從貪欲起,少欲無為,身心自在。

第三覺知:心無厭足,唯得多求,增長罪惡;菩薩不爾,常念知足,安貧守道,唯慧是業。

第四覺知:懈怠墜落;常行精進,破煩惱惡,摧伏四魔,出陰界獄。

第五覺悟:愚癡生死;菩薩常念,廣學多聞,增長智慧,成就辯才,教化一切,悉以大樂。

第六覺知:貧苦多怨,橫結惡緣;菩薩布施,等念怨親,不念舊惡,不憎惡人。

第七覺悟:五欲過患;雖為俗人,不染世樂,常念三衣,瓦缽法器,志願出家,守道清白,梵行高遠,慈悲一切。

第八覺知:生死熾然,苦惱無量;發大乘心,普濟一切,願代眾生,受無量苦,令諸眾生,畢竟大樂。

如此八事,乃是諸佛,菩薩大人,之所覺悟,精進行道,慈悲修慧,乘法身船,至涅槃岸。復還生死,度脫眾生。以前八事,開導一切,令諸眾生,覺生死苦,捨離五欲,修心聖道。若佛弟子,誦此八事,於念念中,滅無量罪,進趣菩提,速登正覺,永斷生死,常住快樂。

In the aftermath of the cyclone that devastated Myanmar and the earthquake that devastated Sichuan, China.


Sunday, May 11, 2008

What Can Money Buy?

"The secret point of money and power in America is neither the things that money can buy nor power for power's sake but absolute personal freedom, mobility, privacy."
-Joan Didion

Friday, May 9, 2008

Opening From Heart

Right now, and in every now-moment, you are either closing or opening. You are either stressfully waiting for something--more money, security, affection--or you are living from your deep heart, opening as the entire moment, and giving what you most deeply desire to give, without waiting.

If you are waiting for anything in order to live and love without holding back, then you suffer. Every moment is the most important moment of your life. No future time is better than now to let down your guard and love. Everything you do right now ripples outward and affects everyone. Your posture can shine your heart or transmit anxiety. Your breath can radiate love or muddy the room in depression. Your glance can awaken joy. Your words can inspire freedom. Your every act can open hearts and minds. Opening from heart to all, you live as a gift to all. In every moment, you are either opening or closing. Right now, you are choosing to open and give fully or you are waiting. How does your choice feel?

--David Deida, from "365 Nirvana, Here and Now" by Josh Baran

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Recent Reading

Siddhartha - By Nobel Prize Laureate Hermann Hesse

My two pennies:

Should have stayed with the Illustrious One, would have saved himself a lot of trouble...