Buddhist Teachings

Living a Richer Life: Lessons in Enlightenment from a Buddhist Teacher

• The secret to extending life is not by adding more years, but by expanding the fullness of each moment.
• Enlightenment can happen suddenly or gradually, and as a teacher, it's difficult to describe the path without causing problems or a lack of motivation.
• Shingon is a Japanese version of Vajrayana Buddhism, with a common ancestor in late Indian Buddhism.
• The initial Zen concentration practice of breath counting can lead to the experience of zammai, the first stage of samadhi.
• Any positive state experienced during silent sitting practice should be attained in ordinary life.
• Traditional Shinto shamanic practice involves exposure to extreme cold, designed to keep a person in some degree of samadhi at all times.
• Cold-water purification can be used as a biofeedback device to maintain concentration and lessen distress.
• The International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles offers mindfulness, Zen, and Tantra practices.
• The Mahasi lineage emphasizes the power of the noting method in mindfulness practice.
• The U Ba Khin lineage highlights the importance of body sensation in psychospiritual growth.
• The text references Philip Kapleau's book, The Three Pillars of Zen, which includes testimonials of sudden enlightenment experiences.
• Living with richness and enlightenment can make the inevitability of death less problematic.

Introduction to Hindu Philosophy and Darśanas

• Islamic philosophy is not included in the discussion of Asian philosophies due to its roots in the Hellenic tradition.
• Ṛg Veda 10.129 marks the beginning of the Indian sceptical tradition and the belief in the existence of God.
• The Upaniṣads were written as appendages to different Vedas and were passed down through the ancient practice of sitting near a teacher.
• Āstika and nāstika are the two categories of philosophical schools and religious traditions that regard the Vedas as authoritative or not.
• Later writings after the Upaniṣads are classified as śmrti, meaning "memory," as they contain what has been remembered and passed down by the community.
• The six āstika darśanas are Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Sāṁkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṁsā, and Vedānta, each providing a distinctive philosophical perspective through systematic reflection on the Vedas.
• Nyāya and Vaiśeṣika form the "empirico-logical" strand of Hindu culture and are the most analytic of the āstika schools.
• Sāṁkhya and Yoga are the philosophical expression of the pursuit of pure consciousness and seek liberation through dualistic discrimination and classical yoga practices.
• Mīmāṁsā and Vedānta are grounded in an interpretation of the Vedas and provide distinctive perspectives on Vedic exegesis and the end of the Vedas, respectively.
• The Cārvāka darśana is known for its materialism, hedonism, and scepticism, standing out among rival perspectives in ancient and classical India as atheists and outspoken opponents of Brahmanical religious authorities.
• Jainism is an ancient darśana native to the Indian subcontinent characterized by a commitment to non-violence and rejection of the Vedas and Brahmanical traditions.
• Despite each darśana's distinctive perspective, no single one can be aptly described as representing the philosophy of Hinduism.

Discover the teachings of a Buddhist teacher on how to live a richer life through enlightenment. From Shingon to Zen, this quiz will take you through different practices and lineages that emphasize the power of mindfulness, concentration, and body sensation. Learn about traditional shamanic practices, cold-water purification, and the experiences of sudden enlightenment. Take this quiz and uncover the secrets to living a more fulfilling life.