The Deer Park Dharmacast

Dear Friends

After 14 weeks, we have come to our last verse.  We hope you have enjoyed this course.  We hope you will offer your thoughts and comments, especially how this course has helped deepen your practice.  

Verse 14

Supported by the Sangha Body

my practice flows easier,

allowing me to swiftly realize

my great determination to love and understand all beings.

Alternate Translation:

With the support of the Sangha

one can practice successfully with ease

and accomplish quickly

the Great Aspiration to help all beings.

Reflection Questions:

What do I rely on and take refuge in?

Who is my Sangha?

What supports me in the practice of awareness?

What is my deep aspiration in life?

Practices:

Attend a local Sangha or start one!

Readings

The Three Refuges

The Four Recollections

Discourse on Taking Refuge in Oneself

Verse 13  

Not Discriminating

Between the practice offered by the Tathagata and that of the ancestral teachers,

the Four Noble Truths perfectly interwoven

should serve as the foundation of an authentic transmission.

Thay Phap Hai offers a deep class today reminding us that the universe has a way of teaching us the lesson we are ready to learn.  We alsways want to ask, "How does this teaching help me to transform?"  If it doesn't it is not the right teaching at this time.  The dharma should be immediately useful and effective.

The reflections for this week are:

What is my experience of giving and receiving?

Is it easier for me to give or to receive?

Why do I think this is?

Enjoy this wonderful class.

Dear Friends

Sorry for the long delay in posting this class.  Our podcast limits were exceeded but we should be able to post more now.

Enjoy bathing in the stream!

Verse 12

The Mahayana sutras and teachings

open many fresh, wide gateways

allowing me to enter the depths of the stream of meditation

flowing from the Original Source of the Buddha's teachings.