Discourse on Transforming Violence and Fear

1) Let us listen and observe to understand how, from a happy and wholesome state, people have brought society into a state of terror and violence. How have past generations acted for the situation to become like this? I want to talk to you about this suffering and tell...

Discourse on Turning the Wheel of the Dharma

This is what I have heard. At one time the World-Honored One was staying near Varanasi at Isipatana in the Deer Park. At that time the World-Honored One addressed the group of five monks, saying, “Bhikkhus, there are two extremes that a monk should avoid. What are the two?...

Discourse on the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings

Wholeheartedly, day and night, disciples of the Awakened One should recite and meditate on the Eight Realizations discovered by the Great Beings. The First Realization is the awareness that the world is impermanent. Political regimes are subject to fall. Things composed of the four elements are empty, containing within...

Discourse on Knowing the Better Way to Catch a Snake

I heard these words one time when the Buddha was staying at the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove, near Shravasti. At that time, the Bhikshu Arittha, who before being ordained had been a vulture trainer, had the wrong view that according to the teachings of the Buddha, sense...

Discourse on Happiness

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was living in the vicinity of Savatthi at the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove. Late at night, a deva appeared whose light and beauty made the whole Jeta Grove shine radiantly. After paying respects to the...

Discourse on the Middle Way

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying at the guest house in a forest of the district of Nala. At that time, the Venerable Kacchayana came to visit him and asked, “The Tathagata has spoken of Right View. How would the Tathagata...

Discourse on the Lotus of the Wonderful Dharma: Universal Door Chapter

Buddha of ten thousand beautiful aspects,may I ask you this question:“Why did they give that bodhisattvathe name Avalokita?” The World-Honored One, beautifully adorned, offered this reply to Akshayamati:“Because actions founded on her deep aspiration can respond to the needs of any being in any circumstance. “Aspirations as wide as...

Store of Precious Virtues Discourse: Practice of the Highest Understanding

Bodhisattvas, who in this life endeavor to removeall obstacles and afflictions,giving rise to a peaceful mind with confidence,dwelling in awakened calm—rely on the Practice of the Highest Understanding. All the rivers on Roseapple Island,producing the healing herbs, fresh fruits and flowers,derive their power from the Naga Kingwho dwells in...

Discourse on the Absolute Truth

He who still abides by a dogmatic view, considering it as the highest in the world, thinking “this is the most excellent” and disparaging other views as inferior, is still considered not to be free from disputes. When seeing, hearing, or sensing something and considering it as the only...

Discourse on the Land of Great Happiness

This is what I heard the Buddha say one time when he was staying in the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove. At that time the Buddha had with him a Sangha of 1,250 bhikshus, all arhats and the most well-known among his senior disciples, including Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa,...

Elder Discourse

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying at the monastery in the Jeta Grove, in the town of Shravasti. At that time there was a monk named Thera (Elder), who always preferred to be alone. Whenever he could, he praised the practice...

Discourse on Emptiness in the True Sense of the Word

This is what I heard one time when the Buddha was residing with the Kuru people, in the village of Kalmasadamya. The World-Honored One addressed the monks: “I will offer you now the Teaching that is good at the beginning, good at the middle and good at the end;...

Discourse on the Great Emptiness

This is what I heard: One time the Buddha was staying in a village of buffalo herders of the Kuru people. At that time the Buddha called the monks to him and said: “Monks I shall teach you the Dharma that is beautiful in the beginning, the middle and...

Discourse on the White-Clad Disciple

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when he was staying at the monastery in the Jeta Grove near Shravasti that had been donated by the layman Anathapindika. On that day, Anathapindika came with 500 other lay students of the Buddha to the hut where Shariputra resided....

Anuradha Discourse

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying in the gabled house in the Great Forest near the town of Vesali. At that time, the Venerable Anuradha was staying in a hermitage in the forest not far from where the Buddha was. One...

Discourse on Measuring and Reflecting

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when he was staying with the Bhagga people in Sumsumaragiri, in the Deer Park in the Bhesakala Grove. The Venerable Mahamoggallana addressed the bhikkhus, “My friends.” “Yes, friend,” they replied to the Venerable Mahamoggallana. The Venerable Mahamoggallana spoke as follows:...

Invoking the Bodhisattvas’ Names

We invoke your name, Avalokiteshvara. We aspire to learn your way of listening in order to help relieve the suffering in the world. You know how to listen in order to understand. We invoke your name in order to practice listening with all our attention and open-heartedness. We will...

The Ten Great Aspirations of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

Body, speech and mind, purified, in oneness, I bow deeply to touch limitless Buddhasof the past, present, and futurethroughout all worlds in the Ten Directions. The power of Samantabhadra’s vowenables me to be present everywhere.Where there is a Buddha, I am there.As Buddhas are countless, so too am I....

Discourse on the Dharma Seal & The Three Doors of Liberation

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was residing at Shravasti with his community of bhikshus. One day, he told the community, “Do you know of the wonderful Dharma Seal? Today I would like to tell you about it and explain it to you....

Discourse on the Four Kinds of Nutriments

This is what I heard one time when the Buddha was in the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove near to the town of Shravasti. That day the Buddha told the monks: “There are four kinds of nutriments which enable living beings to grow and maintain life. What are...

The Diamond That Cuts through Illusion

This is what I heard one time when the Buddha was staying in the monastery in Anathapindika’s park in the Jeta Grove near Shravasti with a community of 1,250 bhikshus, fully ordained monks. That day, when it was time to make the almsround, the Buddha put on his sanghati...

Discourse on the Teachings to Be Given to the Sick

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying in the monastery in the Jeta Grove in Anathapindika’s park, near Shravasti. At that time the householder Anathapindika was seriously ill. When the Venerable Shariputra was told this, he immediately went to Ananda and said,...

Discourse on Taking Refuge in Oneself

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying in the Mango Grove in the cool shade of the mango trees along the bank of the river Bhadra in the land of Magadha. The elders Shariputra and Maudgalyayana had recently passed away. It was...

Discourse on the 5 Ways of Putting an End to Anger

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when he was staying in the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove near the town of Shravasti. One day the Venerable Shariputra said to the monks, “Friends, today I want to share with you five ways of putting an end...

Discourse on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying at the monastery in the Jeta Grove, in the town of Savatthi. He called all the monks to him and instructed them, “Bhikkhus!” And the bhikkhus replied, “We are here.” The Blessed One taught, “I...

The Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore (Heart Sutra)

Avalokiteshvarawhile practicing deeply withthe Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore,suddenly discovered thatall of the five Skandhas are equally empty,and with this realisationhe overcame all Ill-being. “Listen Sariputra,this Body itself is Emptinessand Emptiness itself is this Body.This Body is not other than Emptinessand Emptiness is not other than...

Discourse on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when he was living at Kammassadhamma, a market town of the Kuru people. The Buddha addressed the bhikkhus, “O bhikkhus.” And the bhikkhus replied, “Venerable Lord.” The Buddha said, “Bhikkhus, there is a most wonderful way to help living beings...

Discourse on the Full Awareness of Breathing

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when he was staying in Savatthi in the Eastern Park, with many well-known and accomplished disciples, including Sariputta, Mahamoggallana, Mahakassapa, Mahakacchayana, Mahakotthita, Mahakappina, Mahachunda, Anuradha, Revata, and Ananda. The senior bhikkhus in the community were diligently instructing bhikkhus who were...

Discourse on Youth and Happiness

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying at the Bamboo Forest Monastery near the town of Rajagriha. At that time there was a bhikshu who, in the very early morning, came to the banks of the river, took off his robe and...

Discourse on Love

“Someone who wants to attain peace should practice being upright, humble, and capable of using loving speech. They will know how to live simply and happily, with senses calmed, without being covetous and carried away by the emotions of the majority. Let them not do anything that will be...

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What is Mindfulness

Thich Nhat Hanh January 15, 2020

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