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Dharma Talk July
Paramita means “crossing over,” bringing us “from this shore to the other shore” in each moment; we do not have to wait until we become a Buddha to cross over, but every time we know how to use our breath, mindfulness, to overcome anger, sadness, or jealousy, that is the practice of paramita. According to tradition, there are
- six paramitas or ten paramitas,
- daily practice – every word, every gesture is a boat that carries us across the river.
In the Four Great Vows, the first vow is “sentient beings are numberless, I vow to help them cross over” – not promising to shoulder everything alone, but aspiring to help everyone overcome suffering:
- first, we cross over ourselves, then help others cross (like a ferryman who must first reach the other shore before carrying passengers)
- “self-crossing is the foundation of helping others cross” – if we have never practiced overcoming anger or sadness, our words of Dharma will lack the power of conviction
- the quality of the sacred is already present in each person as mindfulness – deep listening and loving speech are concrete expressions of the holy truth in the Five Mindfulness Trainings
Many examples from retreats and international broadcasts show that just by mastering the techniques of mindful breathing, walking meditation, calling the name “Mother, I am here” with the breath and living mindfully, we have already planted the seed of the sacred, spreading transformation:
- retreats in Italy, America, Korea – those who watched on television or attended in person all rediscovered the smile of peace
- books and Dharma talks such as Living Buddha, Living Christ were published spontaneously, further affirming that the seed of mindfulness does not come from media efforts but from sincere practice
- every small action – breathing, walking, looking, speaking with mindfulness – has the power to spread widely, helping ourselves and others “cross over to the other shore” right today.