In this Dhamma talk, Judy explores the relationship between the Noble Eight-Fold Path and the Brahma Viharas, the Four Divine Abodes: Metta (lovingkindness), Karuna (compassion), Mudita (Joy), and Upekkha (equanimity). She explains each of their major characteristics and their “near” and “far” enemies, actions that seem similar but are not and their opposites She also gives us ways to use these in our meditation practice.
The Jataka Tales are Buddhist teachings on ethics in the form of a story. They’re quite numerous, and have been retold over the centuries in different cultures. Judy told the story of the Elephant King (except she renamed the main character “The Elephant Queen”). In this story, the insatiable quality of greed was contrasted with the total surrender to compassion and generosity on the part of the Elephant Queen.
Our Wednesday night meditation and study group just completed several weeks of exploring the Mahayana/Tibetan practice called Lojong, which is usually translated as “mind training.” Peter prepared the document posted below that noted this practice from the perspective of someone who has a lot of experience with Theravadin Buddhist practices. He sees Lojong as a way to implement the Wisdom aggregate of the Noble Eightfold Path, which combines clear awareness/vipassana practice with benevolent awareness/compassion practice. It is hoped that those who read this will be inspired to pursue this practice.