Lesson 14
The Path to Liberation
“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us "universe," a part limited in
time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something
separate from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of our consciousness. This
delusion is really a prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires, and to
affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from
this prison by widening our circle of understanding and compassion, to embrace
all living creatures in the whole of nature and its beauty.” - Albert Einstein
In the last lesson, we spent some time considering the first teachings of the
Buddha on the reality of suffering, its causes, and began to consider our own
spiritual potential to find freedom from suffering. According to the Buddha,
all beings have the same great potential to wake-up spiritually, and
eventually every single being will create the causes (karma) to achieve this
enlightenment. That means that you and I have the same great spiritual
nature as the Buddha, but we probably have some work to do to get to know
who we really are.
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The work that we do to realize our full potential is sometimes referred to as
walking our spiritual path. On any spiritual path, whether it is Buddhist or
any other tradition, we have to learn what works or brings us to our final
goal and what doesn’t. In other words, we need to become very skillful at
making the best choices to get us to where we want to go. In Buddhism, the
spiritual goal is freedom from suffering or lasting happiness for ourselves
and also for all beings.
Let’s take a moment to think about the importance of developing skillful
means or “doing the right thing,” which in a Buddhist context would mean
applying the 8-fold path of right speech, right action and so on. Skillful
means refers to doing whatever is needed at the time to further realization
for ourselves or others. And since we don’t always know what the right
thing is, then observing our actions as well as the consequences and
adjusting our course is also part of skillful means. We may not know where
the middle of the road is until we have visited the extremes, so walking the
path is about being aware of our surroundings.
Please read:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120206003612/http://www.alternativesmaga
zine.com/25/moran.html
1. How can you tell the difference between skillful and unskillful actions?
2. “Mindfulness” can be defined as “the energy of awareness” which allows us to be
completely aware of what is going on in the present moment. In your own words,
why are inner stillness and mindfulness important in learning to act skillfully?
In the quote at the beginning of the lesson, Albert
Einstein explained we need to realize we are part of
something much larger than ourselves and begin to
relate to the whole universe with compassion and
understanding. When we believe that we are
separate from other beings, it is easy to act in
harmful ways in order to try to pursue our own
happiness. In an effort to live a life that is not
harmful, all Buddhists from all the various traditions,
whether they are lay people or monks and nuns,
practice the Five Precepts.
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Take a look at the following two sites to learn more about the Precepts.
Classic:
http://www.clear-vision.org/Schools/Students/Ages-12-14/FivePrecepts.aspx
Adapted:
http://web.archive.org/web/20080305015955/http://www.earthsangha.org/
buddhism/precepts.htm
3. What are the five precepts?
4. How might the five precepts be helpful to our spiritual lives?
5. Sexual misconduct can be defined as engaging in any sexual activity that would be
harmful to yourself or others. What kinds of situations do you think might be
considered sexual misconduct due to the fact that someone is getting hurt?
6. The fifth precept, refraining from the misuse of intoxicants and drugs, is
sometimes stated as refraining from the use of any alcohol or drugs. What do you
think the difference is between refraining from the misuse and refraining from any
use of alcohol and drugs?
Keeping the five precepts is an important part of the Buddhist path, but it is
actually part of a larger teaching on skillful action given by the Buddha,
which is known as the Noble Eightfold Path. As you have already learned,
this path consists of eight steps or guidelines to help us recognize and
change any negative habits that brought us and others a lot of suffering in
the past.
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By following these eight guidelines for living, Buddhists all over the world are
opening themselves to a life of compassion, wisdom, and non-violence which
brings us into harmony with our own true nature and with all that is.
Because these guidelines have the potential to set us free from suffering
(also known as “dukkha”) by bringing us up to our true potential divine
nature, they are known as “noble.” The Noble Eightfold Path is the Buddha’s
prescription to help us attain lasting peace and happiness.
The 4 Noble Truths Paraphrased:
1.
2.
3.
4.
All sentient beings know suffering (what we want is never satisfying for long).
The cause of suffering is ignorance and clinging (wanting it is the problem).
It is possible to end suffering (By changing what we want).
The way out of suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.
Going deeper into the 4 Noble Truths with Khandro Rinpoche:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6mRdBsYNeY&index=200&list=PLaSwVdRz6qjd
VRGGNWX5wQLU5aZJhqpjS
In this 8 minute talk, she points out that a lot of our confusion is created
because we are ignorant of our own brilliance. This is easy to say, but hard
to see—how do we know what we don’t know? If we can uncover the roots
of our suffering we are on the way to freeing ourself from suffering.
7. What does Khandro Rinpoche say about what we aspire to… and what we are not
able to realize… and why that is referred to as the Noble Truth of Suffering?
Summarize 2 other points she makes in her (very classical and sophisticated) talk.
Now, let’s take another look at the Noble Eightfold Path. Maybe you
remember…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Right View
Understanding the nature of reality and the truth about our mind.
Right Aspiration
The intention to live in such a way that suffering is extinguished.
Right Speech
Using our speech to promote the well-being of ourselves and others.
Right Action
To conduct ourselves in a way that is consistent with our values.
Right Livelihood
Earning a living in a way that is not harmful to other beings.
Right Effort
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7.
8.
Just Do It—joyfully. Expend energy on wholesome deeds.
Right Mindfulness
Maintaining alertness to the goal, remembering to walk our talk.
Right Concentration
Using meditation to train our mind and develop our consciousness.
Here is more on the 8 guidelines:
http://secularbuddhism.org/2013/05/03/what-is-the-eightfold-path/
8. Which guideline asks us to “pay attention to how we act or behave in the world” ?
9. Which one talks about developing a “new healthy habit, one where we are less lost
in thought”?
10. The majority of our non-virtuous actions (that is, actions
which bring about suffering) occur in our speech. According to
the article, what should we be aware of regarding this
guideline?
11. Pursuing a wise livelihood can be a tricky guideline to follow
at times. Can you think of ordinary jobs that actually cause
harm to any form of life?
Finding the right career is such an important task in our culture. We have to
think about so many factors from our own talents to what jobs are in
demand. But how often do we think about our careers as a very important
part of our spiritual paths? Take a look at an interesting reflection on Right
Livelihood by one of the most popular American Buddhist teachers today,
Jack Kornfield:
http://www.cheraglibrary.org/buddhist/kornfield/jkliveli.htm
12. Jack talks about five aspects of Right Livelihood. What are they?
13. Describe a few of the ideas you found useful or interesting in Jack’s reflections.
What interested you about these ideas?
14. What would you like to remember from this article when you begin your career?
Why?
15. Do you see any similarities between the Precepts and Eightfold path and the
teachings of your own or any other religious tradition?
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Watch this 2 minute excerpt from the Oprah interview with Jack Kornfield:
http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/Buddhist-Teacher-Jack-Kornfieldon-Calming-Your-Heart-Video
16. How do Oprah and Jack describe how we can get a more peaceful world?
Meditation & Journal
Journal: Think about the Five Precepts and the Eightfold path over the next
week, try to actually live 2 or 3 of the practices (real examples: not harming
insects, curbing careless speech, not zoning-out and ignoring what’s happening) notice what it involves to do that. Write down your observations about
what is challenging and interesting about trying to live this way. Give some
examples of your attempts.
REMEMBER: If you run into any kind of problem with a site, please go back to your
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