"The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. It does not worry. It does not try to crush others. It keeps to its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences. What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore?" - Deng Ming-Dao

"There are those who do not realize that one day we all must die. But those who do realize this settle their quarrels." DhammaPada verse 6

The realization of three true knowledges (MN 36) In a less confrontational meeting, the Buddha and Saccaka discuss the difference between physical and mental development. The Buddha gives a long account of the various practices he did before awakening.

Reflect with gratitude what has come and consider this as you set an intention for what is to come.

As one applies the teachings, they should check for: - Improvements to the condition of mind, AND - Improvements in personal/professional relationships This dual check of internal experience and the external interactions ensures progress is based on actuality of how things are

The Happiness Visible in This Present Life: From "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi A set of the Buddha's teachings that illuminate the many ways the Dhamma applies to the complex conditions of human life for people still immersed in the world

Historic Vids 25 yr old pizza delivery man runs into burning house, saves four children who tell him another might be in the house. He goes back in, finds the girl, jumps out a window with her, and carries her to a cop who captures the moment on his bodycam.

Four practices the leads one to non-decline, to be near Nibbāna: 1. Ethical conduct and observance of precepts - For one who follows ethical conduct and observes precepts, the landscape of their mind becomes purified. x.com/r_WordsOfBuddh…

Effort should be made to understand the noble truth of discontentment In the turning wheel's first noble fold, Lies the truth of discontentment told. With eyes that see beyond the veil, We discern the unsatisfactory trail.

Jhanas as a gateway or as a getaway

Either way, he wins ✌️

'He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me.' Those who harbor such thoughts do not still their hatred. Hatred is never pacified by hatred in this world. By good-will alone is hatred pacified. This is a law eternal. - DhammaPada 3, 5 buddhawords.substack.com

The five hindrances, their fuels and their antidotes: 1) Sensual Desire is fueled by applying the mind irrationally to the feature of beauty, and its antidote is to apply the mind rationally to the feature of ugliness. x.com/r_WordsOfBuddh…

The five subjects for contemplation: 1. "I am subject to aging; I am not exempt from aging." One can contemplate on the way they appeared the day they were born, when they were in kindergarten, in school, how they appear today, and how they may appear as they grow old in age.

A meditation on death: How was last day, last week, last month? Did it feel brief or long? Suppose one had some 10,000 to 20,000 days to live… or some 1500 to 3000 weeks… or some 300 to 600 months

The diverse external elements of sense experience give rise to diverse perceptions, intentions, desires, passions, and quests. As eye meets sights, the meeting of the two when unrestrained leads to arising of perceptions of sights buddhawords.substack.com/p/causes-for-d… Samyutta Nikaya 14.7

Those who think the unessential is essential, and see the essential as unessential; They do not attain the essence, being in the domain of wrong intention. --DhammaPada Verse 11

A deity asks: What is good until old age? What is good when established? What is a treasure for humans? What can’t be stolen by thieves? The Blessed One: Virtue is good until old age. Faith is good when established. Wisdom is a treasure for humans. Merit — thieves can’t steal.