by Peter Carlson | Apr 12, 2012 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This discussion explores the development of service in Buddhism from the time of Anathapindika, who organized the first Buddhist monastery, through the Bodhisattva Ideal, to present opportunities for service. Three points were discussed: the importance of regular meditation practice and the cultivation of samadhi; the supporting of and support from the Sangha; and matching our personal skills and experience with appropriate opportunities to provide service for others. We also emphasized that service can include being a cheerful, unintrusive presence as well as volunteering to sit with a dying person.
by Peter Carlson | Mar 1, 2012 | Listen to Dharma Talks
In this dialogue, we explored the distractions that interfere with regular meditation practice, contrasted with the opportunities that are also present in our time to deeply practice and understand the liberating teachings of the Buddha. The practice of Right Livelihood was renamed “Right Lifestyle” to reflect the increasing complexity of current culture, and that the goal of spiritual practice is living a wholesome life.
by Peter Carlson | Jan 5, 2012 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk advances a developing theme for this year: How to cultivate a dhamma practice that is relevant to the core of the Buddha’s teachings that is adaptive to our 21st century culture. As Buddhism has evolved through the ages, each time it enters a culture, the terms and concepts have been affected by the culture it enters. For example, the changes induced as Buddhist teachings entered China, influenced by Confucianism and Taoism, becoming Chan, then being further modified into Zen in the Korean and Japanese cultures. We have an obligation to the liberating values of Buddhist principles and practices in mastering what has been given to us, then adapting it to our times, without losing the precious core of the teachings.
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by Peter Carlson | Dec 1, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This is the first in a series of conversations organized with the intention to clarify how the core teachings of the Buddha must be redefined in each generation in order for the benefits to be realized. There was great cultural turmoil in the Buddha’s time; our era is experiencing even more upheaval. The teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path must be realized in ways that are culturally relevant. In future discussions, we will explore how we as a community can practice the core principles with mindfulness and benevolence in order to cope with the increasing complexity of modern life.
by Peter Carlson | Aug 25, 2011 | Listen to Dharma Talks
One of our more practiced Sangha members just completed a 20 day retreat in the Kwan Um school of Korean Zen in Providence, Rhode Island. It is our custom to set aside time for dialogue whenever someone has completed a significant retreat, as talking about the experience solidifies the training and inspires the listeners to deepen their meditation practice. We hope that those who listen to this will be more motivated to attend a long retreat.