Sublime

Just as a bodhisattva liberates no beings, neither does a buddha rescue beings, for to do so would amount to belief in an entity and thus an attachment.

The blessing and trust that Subhuti has perceived is the Buddha’s practice of the three perfections: the perfection of forbearance, in begging for his living; the perfection of charity, in teaching others through example; and the perfection of wisdom, in remaining mindful in all he does.

“The practice of compassionate living (dharma),” said gurudev, “is not something other than everyday, ordinary, simple and mundane actions. This practice is in walking, in talking, in eating, in sleeping, in washing the bowl, in taking care of clothes, and in relating to all other beings. Compassion is not a matter of scholarship: you live it rathe

IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, the Buddha told Subhuti that bodhisattvas give birth to the thought of liberating others but without creating the perception of a self, a being, a life, or a soul. What they give birth to is the gift of liberation. But it is only liberation if it is given without attachment, without attachment to any object of the senses, i

It is a wise thing to be polite; consequently, it is a stupid thing to be rude. To make enemies by unnecessary and willful incivility, is just as insane a proceeding as to set your house on fire. For politeness is like a counter--an avowedly false coin, with which it is foolish to be stingy. A sensible man will be generous in the use of it.

That is why we use the trick of developing certain positive thoughts while removing negative ones. We say to the mind, “All right. If you want to create some thought forms, go ahead. But if you create thoughts that will bring you pain, you are the one who will suffer. If you are selfish, you will suffer later on. I don’t want to kill you. I am your

This is the sense of ease which accompanies the absence of the mind desiring riches. This is the sense of ease which accompanies the absence of a mind desiring reputation, etc.”

Therefore, our meditation practice must begin with ego’s outermost layer, the discursive thoughts which continually run through our minds, our mental gossip.