From d5df8bcf79c917354f34b44d5d4658653e9cefda Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Chris Koeritz Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2018 13:07:53 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] new fortune --- infobase/fortunes.dat | 63 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++---------------- 1 file changed, 40 insertions(+), 23 deletions(-) diff --git a/infobase/fortunes.dat b/infobase/fortunes.dat index 6102d440..07892d41 100644 --- a/infobase/fortunes.dat +++ b/infobase/fortunes.dat @@ -41585,7 +41585,7 @@ five main types of painful emotions, known as the "five poisons": attachment, aggression, jealousy, arrogance, and stupidity. It can manifest as feeling like we're better than others, but just as easily it can manifest as low self-esteem, or even self-hatred. The bottom line is that we regard -this self—whatever or wherever it is—as the most important thing in the +this self--whatever or wherever it is--as the most important thing in the entire universe. -- Dzigar Kongtrul, from "The Intelligent Heart: A Guide to the Compassionate Life", published by Shambhala Publications. @@ -41740,8 +41740,8 @@ modern age turns out to be the perfect setting for our spiritual practice, proving far more hospitable to our growth than past eras of idealized calm and simplicity. When we figure out for ourselves how to apply the wisdom of books to whatever difficult circumstances arise in life, then that wisdom becomes -part of our mind. We become transformed. My hope for every reader—as well -as for myself—is that we will apply these lojong teachings again and again +part of our mind. We become transformed. My hope for every reader--as well +as for myself--is that we will apply these lojong teachings again and again until they become part of who we are. -- Dzigar Kongtrul and Joseph Waxman, in "The Intelligent Heart: A Guide to the Compassionate Life", published by Shambhala Publications @@ -42131,7 +42131,7 @@ initiation, the Karmapa perceived his master in the form of the deity himself. caves in order to actualize what had been transmitted. After only nine days of meditation, he spontaneously experienced a strong feeling of warmth and bliss. He removed his monk robes and dressed himself in the simple attire of -white cotton—repa—worn by yogis. He meditated for nine months, +white cotton-repa--worn by yogis. He meditated for nine months, concentrating in particular on the practice of calm abiding (samatha), which allows practitioners to pacify and stabilize their mind. Having excelled in this, he continued his retreat for three more years, perfecting his meditative @@ -42305,7 +42305,7 @@ infinity of consciousness, "nothing at all," and neither perception nor nonperception. These states can certainly appear enormously attractive from our human point of view. In fact, they correspond to what many think religious practice -is all about—attaining some kind of heaven or some sort of tranquillity or +is all about--attaining some kind of heaven or some sort of tranquillity or bliss. But from the Buddhist viewpoint, the sublimity even of these states is not a worthy ultimate goal. One may ask, "What can possibly be wrong with such attainments?" @@ -42454,7 +42454,7 @@ III. Path of Insight The path of insight begins after the highest worldly dharma and consists of calm abiding as a basis for special insight focused on the Four Noble Truths. Four insights correspond to each of the Four Noble Truths, making a -total of sixteen—eight patient acceptances and eight cognitions: the patient +total of sixteen-eight patient acceptances and eight cognitions: the patient acceptance of the cognition of the dharma with respect to suffering, the cognition of the dharma with respect to suffering, the patient acceptance of the cognition that is the subsequent realization with respect to suffering, @@ -42622,11 +42622,11 @@ power of abandoning the result, suffering. In other words, this primordial wisdom clearly observes the exhaustion of the cause and non-production of the result and is called the "awareness of the exhaustion and non-production." Why is this called the path of perfection? Because the training is -perfected and one enters the city of nirvana—this is why it is called the +perfected and one enters the city of nirvana--this is why it is called the path of perfection. At this stage, there are ten attainments of no-more- training: starting with perfect view of no-more-training through the perfect absorption of no-more-training and then the full liberation of no-more- -training and the perfect primordial wisdom of no-more-training—these ten +training and the perfect primordial wisdom of no-more-training--these ten attainments of no-more-training are included in the five unafflicted skandas: perfect speech of no-more-training, perfect action, and perfect @@ -42781,7 +42781,7 @@ ultimate mode of being. As it is written in the sutra, There is but one truth: absence of all origin, Yet some will crow about there being four. But in the essence of enlightenment, - Not one is found—why speak of four? + Not one is found--why speak of four? But whereas on the ultimate level, the two truths are not posited, on the relative level, they are. For there is certainly a difference between the way @@ -42907,7 +42907,7 @@ of maitri--playfulness... ~ In texts we inherited from India, the basic principle is sometimes called the "fundamental innate mind of clear light" and the "fundamental innate -wisdom of clear light"— these two terms having the same meaning. In other +wisdom of clear light"--these two terms having the same meaning. In other texts, it is called the "space-diamond pervading space," whereas in even others it is called the "jewel mind," as, for example, when it is said, "Separate from the jewel mind, there is no buddha and no sentient being." @@ -42976,8 +42976,8 @@ this reifying view, to realize that the self or essential being as thus conceived does not exist at all. In order reach this realization, according to Tsong kha pa, one must use reason to refute the existence, and to prove the nonexistence, of this reified self or essence. Having intellectually arrived -at the correct philosophical view—that the self lacks a shred of intrinsic -nature—one proceeds along the path to spiritual liberation through intense, +at the correct philosophical view--that the self lacks a shred of intrinsic +nature--one proceeds along the path to spiritual liberation through intense, deep, and extensive meditative familiarization with this view. At the same time, however, the practitioner also cultivates compassionate engagement with other living beings, making a commitment to help all of them reach perfect @@ -43263,7 +43263,7 @@ It is better to make an effort. We have to develop endeavor. published as For the Benefit of All Beings, also published by Shambhala Publications ~ - I am not angry with my bile and other humors— + I am not angry with my bile and other humors-- Fertile source of suffering and pain! So why should living beings give offence, They likewise are impelled by circumstance? @@ -43288,14 +43288,14 @@ Are like the family estate to the supreme guide's heirs, And, as the best of protectors himself has said, To rely on solitude is indeed the pinnacle of joys! -Forests, hermitages, and isolated dwelling places— +Forests, hermitages, and isolated dwelling places-- These are the outer solitude of the Victor's heirs. -Avoiding selfishness and fainthearted fears— +Avoiding selfishness and fainthearted fears-- This is the bodhisattvas' internal isolation. Keeping, therefore, to outer forms of solitude, Tame the inner afflictions through tranquility and insight -And aspire to the supreme conduct of Samantabhadra— +And aspire to the supreme conduct of Samantabhadra-- Possessing such good fortune one is truly the Buddha's heir. With sweetly cascading mountain streams, @@ -43305,7 +43305,7 @@ This mountain retreat surpasses even the deva realm. The dance of the slender trees does not stir the passions, And sweet birdsong brings neither attachment nor aversion, -Enveloped in nonconceptuality's gentle, cooling shade— +Enveloped in nonconceptuality's gentle, cooling shade-- Such youthful companionship is surely better than a silent void! Undisturbed by noisy chatter, that thorn in meditation's side, @@ -43328,7 +43328,7 @@ And uncluttered with objects or circumstances, Study, reflection, and meditation present a clear impression. What is there to prevent the dawn of Dharma's light? -Hunger, thirst, cold, and the like—all forms of physical affliction— +Hunger, thirst, cold, and the like--all forms of physical affliction-- Together with sadness, fear, and all such mental suffering, Can, through the teachings, enhance the purifying path And, unburdened by avoidance or indulgence, adorn the mind!   @@ -43398,8 +43398,8 @@ It is like those who come from three directions And meet together in a single place, And like the different flowing streams That join and are as one within a single sea. -Bliss, luminosity, and no-thought— -Whichever of these methods one may practice— +Bliss, luminosity, and no-thought-- +Whichever of these methods one may practice-- When mental movement comes to complete rest And in the nature of the mind, the unborn space, dissolves, The enlightened mind, devoid of concepts @@ -43513,14 +43513,14 @@ Bring about the great aims of boundless beings.   -- from "Gendun Chopel: Tibet's Modern Visionary", by Donald S. Lopez Jr., published by Shambhala Publications ~ -Parallel to compassion, the Buddhist teachings emphasize loving-kindness—the +Parallel to compassion, the Buddhist teachings emphasize loving-kindness--the wish for others to have happiness and the causes of happiness. A traditional way of generating loving-kindness begins by looking at our own constant longing for happiness and its causes. Then we contemplate how all others have this same longing, every bit as intense as our own. When we understand that we are no different from other beings in this way, we see how unreasonable it is to care so much more about ourselves than others. We do so only out of -sheer habit—ignorant habit. At that point, once we've shed some light on +sheer habit--ignorant habit. At that point, once we've shed some light on our habit, we turn our mind toward others, wishing them happiness as much as we wish it for ourselves. Then, in our daily lives, we try to behave in accord with this wish, by being kind with our actions, in our speech, and in @@ -43533,7 +43533,7 @@ So many wonderful qualities are already present within us, just waiting to be discovered. The key lies in understanding that things are impermanent and unreal. Sadness, of course, is not an end in itself. But deep sorrow comes with realizing that everything we previously took to be lasting and real is -actually just about to disappear—and it never even existed in the first +actually just about to disappear--and it never even existed in the first place. Such sadness and disillusionment have a wonderful effect. Sorrow makes us let go. As we stop chasing futile and ultimately painful goals, we embark on the spiritual path with superior strength and resolve. @@ -43574,4 +43574,21 @@ this practice is something unique and special and call me a leader of world peace, I feel almost ashamed!   -- H.H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, from "The Bodhisattva Guide", published by Shambhala Publications +~ +We have talked about impermanence and how painful it is to acknowledge that +everything, including ourselves and all that we love, is going to perish. But +the recognition of impermanence is also the threshold to something more, +something greater. The reason we take impermanence to heart is that we need +that understanding to inspire and guide us. Impermanence closes the gap +between others and ourselves. When we recognize that everyone is subject to +the same merciless conditions, we cannot but respond with affection. With the +recognition of the impermanent world comes great compassion, genuine care. +This pivotal discovery provides the circumstance for a complete opening of our +minds. As compassion gains force, it enables our minds to recognize the +profound nature of emptiness--the true nature of things that lies beyond all +concepts. Sorrow and pain become catalysts for deep-felt loving care, and the +power of universal compassion delivers the realization of the true view. +That’s when we have truly become students of the Dharma. + -- Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, from "Sadness, Love, Openness: The Buddhist + Path of Joy", published by Shambhala Publications -- 2.34.1