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An ma - cham cuu - chuyen y
The sound of the bell is a call to return to our inner “homeland,” awakening the energy of mindfulness each time we breathe in, breathe out, and smile. Three sounds of the bell before a Dharma talk, before a meal, or when sitting meditation are enough to bring us back to the present moment and to touch simple happiness. We do not need to do much—just to be—solid, free, and at ease—then any action (volitional action), even washing the dishes or sweeping the house, brings benefit to the world.
Consciousness is a garden with two main parts:
- Store consciousness (Alaya Vijnana), or the base consciousness
-
Mind consciousness (Manovijnana), which is the gardener
Bhavana means to take care so that there will be flowers and fruit, that is, the practice of cultivating mindfulness and the seeds of awakening. Within us there are countless wholesome seeds such as non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion, diligence, ease, loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity; and also innumerable afflictions, among which the six basic afflictions are: - Greed
- Hatred
- Delusion
- Pride
- Doubt
- Wrong views
The energy of mindfulness is like an acupuncture finger, pressing and massaging the areas of pain in the body to release toxins, just as it touches and transforms the painful areas in the mind. Mindfulness is concentration, concentration leads us to insight; precepts, concentration, and insight blend together like the lamp of mindfulness illuminating the living room of our soul, helping us to recognize the roots of suffering, to stop feeding the afflictions, and to nourish the seeds of awakening. When we are truly present, solid and at ease, every action helps bring peace to ourselves and to the world.
