These lovely verses are attributed to Tissa Kumāra, the youngest brother of King Ashoka, and if this is true it demonstrates how some of the poetry of the Theragāthā entered into the Pali Canon relatively late—at the time of the Third Council (c. 250 B.C.E.). Prince Tissa was made Vice Regent when Ashoka was first consecrated King. But within only a few years, inspired by the example of a forest-dwelling monk he encountered while hunting, he renounced worldly life to live as a simple Buddhist … [Read more...]
A Discussion Among Psychologists
Various
This material comes from a weekend program offered at BCBS in January that was specially intended for psychotherapists. The program consisted of continuous, silent practice of insight meditation, from Friday evening to Sunday morning, and then concluded with an open discussion. The program was meant as a gathering of peers and was led by Trudy Goodman and Chris Germer, both members of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. There are a number of different … [Read more...]
A Radiance of Nuns
Charlotte Sudhammā
The moon, full, pauses In coconut tree branches Crickets sing their bliss. This account of the ordination of nuns in Sri Lanka comes from a private letter sent by one of the participants to her family and friends. She has consented to our printing excerpts from that letter. Some names have been deleted to protect privacy. Greetings from Sri Lanka! I write to you now no longer as a novice (Sāmaṇerī)—but as a fully ordained Theravāda Bhikkhunī nun! My new name is Charlotte Sudhammā … [Read more...]
The Rock Inscriptions of King Ashoka
Andrew Olendzki
King Ashoka was a remarkable leader, by any standard. He inherited from his father and grandfather an immense kingdom, encompasing most of present-day India and Pakistan, which he ruled for more than forty years from 274 to 232 B.C.E. Converting to Buddhism early in his reign, he worked tirelessly to uplift and civilize his world through the influence of Dhamma—the teaching of the Buddha. He had numerous inscriptions carved on stones and pillars set up in all reaches of his empire, but … [Read more...]
The Five Spiritual Powers
Sarah Doering
Sarah Doering has had a long association with the Insight Meditation Society and with the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. On both boards for many years, she has been a devoted practitioner of insight meditation, and has been teaching at IMS for the past several years. Sarah is currently one of the resident teachers at the newly opened Forest Refuge. Three Month Retreat October 1999 For forty-five years after his enlightenment, the Buddha wandered about northern India teaching. … [Read more...]
The Truth of Interpersonal Suffering
Greg Kramer
This article is extracted from a talk given by Greg Kramer at the start of a one-week residential intensive program at the Barre Centerfor Buddhist Studies in October of last year. Greg is a student of Anagarika Dhammadina, Achan Sobin Namto, Ven. Ananda Maitreya Maha Nayaka Thera, and Ven. Punnaji Mahathera. He holds a Ph.D. based on work with dialogic meditation and meditative practice on the internet, and teaches Insight Dialogue worldwide. The framework for all the Buddha teaches is found … [Read more...]
A Builder of Bridges
Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia
I know it is an obvious question, Taraniya, but how did you get into all this? As far back as I can remember, I was interested in what we now call the spiritual path. It took many forms in my early years, but I can tell you what led to my interest in Buddhism and how I first got exposed to it. Throughout my twenties and early thirties I had been interested in facilitating change through political, social and economic systems. I wanted to work in fields that served people in a positive … [Read more...]
Evolving Beyond Delusion
Andrew Olendzki
The human species is evolving, and at a very rapid rate now that the evolution is cultural rather than biological. Physical changes may still occur; but at such a glacial pace we are unlikely to notice anything. Changes in the human mind, however, are dramatic and can be seen all around us. The twin forces of greed and hatred—the primal urge to want more of what pleases us and to want what displeases us to go away—have been useful adaptive tools throughout our primitive past, but are rapidly … [Read more...]
