Simile of the Mountains

Dhamma Talk + Guided Meditation Session 036: Sep 9th, 2020, by Sophia Ojha Ensslin and Cristof Ensslin

Banner Photo by bady abbas - Thank you!

Please scroll below the video to download handout and read text.

Dhamma Talk (Sophia & Cristof) :

Guided Meditation (Sophia):

Handout

This week we have prepared a multi-page handout for you. It is posted left/below as blog content. Plus, you can download it as PDF by clicking on the following button:

Introduction

Are you feeling the change in the air? Here we are so acutely aware of the changes in the forest around us. The cricket sounds have reduced in volume. The temperatures are getting cooler. And some yellowed leaves are falling. Fall is here.

The transition of the seasons is gradual. And so it is with us humans. Our lives, as soon we are born, are constantly transitioning to a new phase and a new season. And in the big picture, our lives are transitioning towards aging, sickness and death. Recognizing this fact is not an act to make oneself despair but quite the contrary. This is the reality of life and we contemplate this reality in order to live more joyfully, meaningfully and happily. In fact, it helps us to be happier in the present.

We ran into this story where the Buddha had a conversation with a King who was one of his followers. And we wanted to share it with you because it gives us something to think about. It is the Simile of the Mountains from SN 3:25. There are two translation available digitally below, although Cristof read it from Bhikkhu Bodhi’s translation as presented in “In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon”.

Two Translations

Thanissaro Bhikku: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn03/sn03.025.than.html
Bhante Sujato: https://suttacentral.net/sn3.25/en/sujato

What It Means to Us: Our Key Takeaways

So living a life of wholesome and meritorious deeds! And talking about this to you who have joined us is like preaching to the choir. But we can all use some reminders. In summary, we live our lives doing wholesome and meritorious deeds - in thought, speech and action. When we let go of thoughts, words and actions that possibly harm people/animals and the environment, and ourselves, we are doing wholesome actions. When make it a habit to do the least possible harm with our life on this planet, we are doing meritorious deeds; when we make efforts to be kind, patient and forgiving; when we move our focus away from me, me, me and think of others; when we let go of greed, anger, wanting, craving, that’s when we are living a wholesome life. When we cultivate generosity not just with our resources but with our time, our words, and our compassion, that’s when we are making meritorious deeds.

In essence, when we let go of wanting something to be different than what is but can accept what is and then act from a place of peace and equanimity, and having benevolence towards others in the forefront of our minds at all times, that is when we are living a life of wholesome and meritorious deeds. Because when we take care of others, we are taking care of ourselves.

Let’s meditate!

Sophia + Cristof