1. The Acts of the Buddha - March 24, 2019
In this talk, Bruce briefly introduces the Seminary program and begins with a recounting of Shakyamuni Buddha's life based in the Buddhacarita by Asvagosa.
(Unfortunately, due to a technology glitch of some sort, the final 20 minutes or so were not recorded.)2. The Four Noble Truths - March 24, 2019
Bruce continues his discourse on the Buddha's realization, reads from the Sutta / Sutra of the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. Brief periods of silent practice and chanting are included.
3. The Twelve Nidanas - March 24, 2019
The recording begins with a brief period of silence (about 4 min.), followed by a reading from the Buddhacarita in which death is contemplated: The Dart: A Recollection on Death. Bruce then turns to the night of the Buddha's enlightenment and a contemplation of the 12 links of dependent origination.
4. Karma, Virtue, Detachment, & Eight Streams of Virtue - April 4, 2019
5. Generating Merit and an Analysis of the Eightfold Path
6. The Twin Verses from the Dhammapada - April 18, 2019
Here is a reading and discussion on the first verses from the Dhammapada, which introduces the central ethical attitude taught by the Buddha. (verses below)
We are what we think
Having become what we thought
Like the wheel that follows the cart pulling ox
Suffering follows an evil thought
While happiness follows a pure thought
Like a shadow that never departs
We are what we think
Having become what we thought
He abused me, he mistreated me, he defeated me, he robbed me
Having such thoughts keeps hatred alive.
He abused me, he mistreated me, he defeated me, he robbed me
Releasing such thoughts hatred ceases.
For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time
Hatred only ceases by love. This is an ancient truth.
The world does not know that all things come to an end here
Those who do, their quarrels cease at once.
One who lives for sensation
Senses uncontrolled
Immoderate, careless, lacking energy
The tempter Mara breaks
Just like the wind breaks a frail tree
The One who is mindful
Senses controlled, moderate, careful, energetic
Cannot be overthrown by Mara
Just like a mountain is untouched by a storm
The path to the deathless is awareness;
unawareness, the path of death.
They who are aware, do not die;
they who are unaware have never lived
Sorrow now, sorrow later; happiness now, happiness later.
The virtuous person is happy in this world, they are happy in the next,
they are happy in both.
Those who put on robes without renouncing samsara within
Disregarding self-control and truth are unworthy of the robes
Those who have truly renounced all defilement
Who are well grounded in virtues, disciplined and honest
These alone are worthy of the robes
Those who fail to distinguish
The nonessential from the essential
And the essential from the nonessential
Will, caught in thoughts and desires
Fail to attain the essential
But those who correctly realize
The essential as essential
And the nonessential as nonessential
Will, discovering the truth beyond words and desire
Attain the essential
7. Gaining Merit, The Six Recollections, and Three Trainings - April 25, 2019
Bruce begins by giving the parameters of the test for students in the Seminary program. This is followed by readings and discussion from early sutras / suttas on gaining merit as the power for living positively and progressing spiritually. Among other things, the discussion addresses questions around merit and the 3 trainings - Sila (moral discipline), Samadhi (meditation), and Prajna (wisdom). [About 4 minutes of the talk was interrupted due to technical difficulties.]
8. The Way - Ch. 20 from the Dhammapada and the Three Marks of Existence - May 2, 2019
273
The best of paths is the Eightfold Path
The best of truths are the Four Noble Truths
Freedom from desire is the best of states
The best of beings is the all seeing one
274
This is the only way
There is no other to purify vision
Follow this path
And you will bewilder Mara
275
Entering that Path
You will make an end of suffering
Realizing how to remove the thorn of desire
I have taught you this path
276
You must exert yourselves
Buddhas only point the way
The meditative ones who rest in jhana
Escape the bonds of Mara
277
All conditioned things are impermanent
When one realizes this truth
One turns away from suffering
This is the path of purification
278
All conditioned things are unsatisfactory
When one realizes this truth
One turns away from suffering
This is the path of purification
279
All dharmas are without self
When one realizes this truth
One turns away from suffering
This is the path of purification
280
The lazy one who does not strive
Though young and strong is lethargic and slothful
With a mind of great thoughts
Such an indolent being
Never finds the road to wisdom
281
Be watchful of speech
Well-restrained in mind
And graceful in conduct
Purify these three karmic streams
And realize the path proclaimed by the sages
282
Wisdom springs from meditation
Without meditation wisdom wanes
Knowing what causes gain and what causes loss
Conduct your affairs so wisdom may increase
283
Cut down the forest of desires
Not just a tree here and there
The forest of desire is full of danger
Cut down the forest and the undergrowth
And be free
284
For as long as the slightest undergrowth
Of passion remains
So long will your mind be in bondage
Like the young calf bound to its mother
285
Cut off the love of self
With your own hands
As you would pluck a water lilly
Cultivate the path leading to Nirvana
As taught by the Thus Gone One
286
I shall live here during the rains
There in autumn and summer
So thinks the fool
Unaware death is approaching ever nearer
287
The one with a calculating mind
Ever concerned with increasing children and herds
Death seizes and carries away
Like a sleeping village
Swept away by a great flood
288
When death comes
Sons and kinsmen are no protection
Loved ones offer no refuge
289
Realizing this
The wise cultivate virtue
And with haste
Clear the path to Nirvana
Two Categories of Meditation
1. Shamatha - focusing
2. Vipassana - spaciousness / awareness
Four Foundations of Mindfulness
1. Mindfulness of Body
2. Mindfulness of Feeling
3. Mindfulness of Mind
4. Mindfulness of Phenomena
Six Things to Bring to Meditation
1. agreeable place
2. few desires
3. simplicity of life
4. upright posture
5. absence of virtuous and unvirtuous thoughts
6. presence / purification
Five Signs of Attaining Shamatha
1. dawning of pure appearances
2. more restful sleep
3. diminishment of calculating mind
4. stabilization of awareness
5. increased mental pliancy
Nine Rules for Making Meditation a Positive Experience
1. Relax
2. Don't expect anything
3. Observe without prejudice
4. Let go
5. Accept everything that arises
6. Be gentle with yourself
7. Don't rush
8. Investigate yourself
9. Bring all problems to the path
A reading and discussion from Tapussa Sutta from the Numerical Discourses, the Book of Nines, Sutta 41 in which the Buddha charts the meditative territory to be traversed.
1. Delightful Sensations
2. Joy
3. Contentment
4. Utter peacefulness
5. Infinity of space
6. Infinity of consciousness
7. No-thingness
8. Neither perception nor non-perception
9. Cessation
11. Eight Temporary Meditative Experiences - Nyam
Five Basic Nyam:
Brook on a Steep Hill
Turbulent River
Slowly Flowing River
Ocean Without Waves
Candle Undisturbed by the Wind
Three Fundamental Nyam:
Dewa - Bliss or joy
Selwa - Luminosity
Mitokpa - Non-thought