Skillful Speech

Skillful speech begins by refraining from lying, slander, profanity, and harsh language. We should avoid language that is rude, abusive, disagreeable, or malicious, and we should abstain from talk that is foolish, idle, babble, or gossip. What remains are words that are truthful, kind, gentle, useful, and meaningful. Our speech will comfort, uplift, and inspire, and we will be a joy to those around us. -Allan Lokos "Skillful Speech"

I have always thought that gossip is kind of fun. Not malicious and hateful behind your back gossip, but just knowing and telling the scoop about what's going on with my friends type gossip. That seems innocent enough, but talking about people when they are not present can be considered meaningless idle chatter. Good or bad, if I am talking about someone who is not present, it is unskillful use of speech. As I am writing this, I am remembering all the gossip I engage in on a regular basis and I am a little shocked at how much I do it. It makes me feel good, like I'm really "in the know" about things. But, some of the things I say might hurt someone, if they knew I was talking about them. And yes, if I am talking about someone who is not present is not good. For them, for me and for my spiritual journey. Gossip is a distraction.

You can hardly help but hear gossip about famous people, its everywhere. Of course, they say that most of celebrity gossip is untrue, but sometimes its fun to hear anyway. However, I am doing my best to let that kind of talk go in and immediately go out of my mind. I don't want to give it any consideration at all. One of my favorite tv shows is The Joy Behar Show...the show is all about the hot topics of the day. I wonder if watching it is a way of participating in gossip? I think it is. Should I stop watching it? Probably.

I am now thinking about Facebook. My first thought is that its okay because everyone is talking about themselves. But I think the idea of Facebook needs to be considered. Huh.

Milarepa

Milarepa is one of the most widely known Tibetan Saints. In a superhuman effort, he rose above the miseries of his younger life and with the help of his Guru, Marpa the Translator, took to a solitary life of meditation until he had achieved the pinnacle of the enlightened state, never to be born again into the Samsara (whirlpool of life and death) of worldly existence. Out of compassion for humanity, he undertook the most rigid asceticism to reach the Buddhic state of enlightenment and to pass his accomplishments on to the rest of humanity. His spiritual lineage was passed along to his chief disciples, Gambopa and Rechung. It was Rechung who recorded in detail the incidents of Milarepa's life for posterity. The narrative of his life has thus been passed down through almost a millennium of time and has become an integral part of Tibetan culture. In addition to Rechung's narrative of his life, summarized below, Milarepa extemporaneously composed innumerable songs throughout his life relevant to the dramatic turns of events of himself and his disciples in accordance with an art form that was in practice at the time. These songs have been widely sung and studied in Tibet ever since and have been recorded as the Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa. His faithful devotion, boundless religious zeal, monumental forbearance, superhuman perseverance, and ultimate final attainment are a great inspiration today for all. His auspicious life illumined the Buddhist faith and brought the light of wisdom to sentient beings everywhere

Amitabha


Those who have no mental vigilance,
Though they may hear the teachings, ponder them or meditate,
With minds like water seeping from a leaking jug,
Their learning will not settle in their memories.
- Shantideva -



End of Shantideva's Words

Vajradhara


Examine thus yourself from every side.
Note harmful thoughts and every futile striving.
Thus it is that heroes in the bodhisattva path
Apply the remedies to keep a steady mind.
- Shantideva -

Great Mother Prajnaparamita


Take advantage of this human boat;
Free yourself from sorrow's mighty stream!
This vessel will be later hard to find.
The time that you have now, you fool, is not for sleep!
- Shantideva -

Milarepa


All those who slight me to my face,
Or do me any other evil,
Even if they blame or slander me,
May they attain the fortune of enlightenment!
- Shantideva -

Four Armed Avalokiteshvara


My body, thus, and all my good besides,
And all my merits gained and to be gained,
I give them all away withholding nothing
To bring about the benefit of beings.

- Shantideva -

Dorge Shugden, Dharma Protector


Where would I possibly find enough leather
With which to cover the surface of the earth?
But leather on the soles of my shoes
Is equivalent to covering the earth with it.
Likewise, it is not possible for me
To restrain the external course of things.
But if I restrain this mind of mine
What would be the need to restrain all else?
- Shantideva -

Amitayus with Gurus and Dieties


As long as space abides and as long as the world abides, so long may I abide, destroying the sufferings of the world.
- Shantideva -

Shantideva

All the suffering in the world comes from seeking pleasure for oneself. All the happiness in the world comes from seeking pleasure for others.
- Shantideva -

Words of Shantideva

Shantideva

The hostile multitudes are vast as space.
What chance is there that all should be subdued?
Let but this angry mind be overthrow
And every foe is then and there destroyed
- Shantideva -

You should consider this well because it is not just words from the mouth, but sincere advice from the heart. If you practice like this you will delight me, and you will bring happiness to yourself and others. I who am ignorant request you to take this advice to heart.
Atisha
End of Atisha's Advice

Meditate according to the advice of your Spiritual Guide and dry up the river of samsaric suffering.
Atisha

Friends, there is no happiness in this swamp of samsara, so move to the firm ground of liberation.
Atisha

Being under the influence of wrong views you do not realize the ultimate nature of things, therefore investigate correct meanings.
Atisha

Since this human life is wasted by indulging in distractions, now is the time to practice concentration.
Atisha

You remain in samsara through the power of laziness, therefore ignite the fire of the effort of application.
Atisha

Since hatred is rife in these impure times, don the armour of patience, free from anger.
Atisha

Always keep pure moral discipline for it leads to beauty in this life and happiness hereafter.
Atisha

Distracting enjoyments have no essence, therefore sincerely practice giving.
Atisha

Since you will definitely have to depart without the wealth you have accumulated, do not accumulate negativity for the sake of wealth.
Atisha

Since you cannot tame the minds of others until you have tamed your own, begin by taming your own mind.
Atisha

Since all the happiness and suffering of this life arise from previous actions, do not blame others.
Atisha

If the things you desire do not come it is due to karma created long ago, therefore keep a happy and relaxed mind.
Atisha

It is completely meaningless to put effort into activities that have no essence.
Atisha

If you engage in many meaningless activities your virtuous activities will degenerate, therefore stop activities that are not spiritual.
Atisha

If you talk too much with little meaning you will make mistakes, therefore speak in moderation, only when necessary.
Atisha

Always keep a smiling face and a loving mind, and speak truthfully without malice.
Atisha

See all living beings as your father or mother, and love them as if you were their child.
Atisha

Do not contemplate your own good qualities, but contemplate the good qualities of others, and respect everyone as a servant would.
Atisha

Do not look for faults in others, but look for faults in yourself, and purge them like bad blood.
Atisha

Do not be jealous of others' good qualities, but out of admiration adopt them yourself.
Atisha

Have no hatred for enemies, and no attachment for friends.
Atisha

Generate compassion for lowly beings, and especially avoid despising or humiliating them.
Atisha

You will have to depart leaving everything behind, so do not be attached to anything.
Atisha

Since future lives last for a very long time, gather up riches to provide for the future.
Atisha

Since the happiness, pleasure, and friends you gather in this life last only for a moment, put them all behind you.
Atisha

Words of praise and fame serve only to beguile us, therefore blow them away as you would blow your nose.
Atisha

Profit and respect are nooses of the maras, so brush them aside like stones on the path.
Atisha

Avoid activities that are said to be meritorious, but which in fact are obstacles to Dharma.
Atisha

Avoid all haughty, conceited, proud, and arrogant minds, and remain peaceful and subdued.
Atisha

Friends, the things you desire give no more satisfaction than drinking sea water, therefore practice contentment.
Atisha

If from your heart you practice in accordance with Dharma, both food and resources will come naturally to hand.
Atisha

If you practice with great devotion, results will arise immediately, without your having to wait for a long time.
Atisha

Because you have received advice, whenever you are not meditating always practice in accordance with what your Spiritual Guide says.
Atisha

Dedicate your virtues throughout the day and the night, and always watch your mind. -- Atisha

Since there is never a time when worldly activities come to an end, limit your activities.
Atisha

Avoid friends who cause you to increase delusions, and rely upon those who increase your virtue. This you should take to heart.
Atisha

Until you attain stable realizations, worldly amusements are harmful, therefore abide in a place where there are no such distractions.
Atisha

Avoid places that disturb your mind, and always remain

where your virtues increase.
Atisha