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Maitreya's Disaster Sutra 2

Thich Nhat Hanh · January 24, 2010 · New Hamlet, Plum Village, France
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The H breath (happiness) and the S breath (stop) are the main methods in the Maitreya Distress Sutra: when breathing in, say “I have stopped” to open body and mind; when breathing out, “I am not chasing after anything anymore” so that happiness can penetrate deeply. If the mind carries the habit energy of running, wrapped tightly in plastic, happiness cannot permeate; only when we truly stop and dwell in the present moment does the happiness inherent in our body, mind, and the surrounding circumstances shine forth. The practice of stopping (samatha) helps us to stop, and the practice of looking deeply (vipashyana) brings insight into interbeing; though these two practices are different, they are one.

In the breath of stopping and happiness, we also practice the mysterious connection with our ancestors, the Buddha, father and mother: breathing in, we invite the Buddha; breathing out, we invite the Buddha to sit with us; breathing with father, with mother, as a non-dual continuation, thereby freeing ourselves from loneliness and experiencing the wonder of interbeing. The sutra also mentions the third precept — sexual misconduct — with a warning about HIV, “sexuality is not love,” the consequences of “empty sex” and masturbation, encouraging us to maintain mindfulness when receiving sense impressions and to nourish true love.

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