Recent Meditation Posts

The four dharma seals of Buddhism (hallmarks of Buddha's teachings) There are certain philosophies that are fundamental to Buddhism. Among these is the teaching of the four seals of dharma. These four truths are essential to Buddhist teaching. If they’re not supported, or if they are contradicted, you know you’re not listening to an authentic [...]

Two types of wise view as the foundation of Buddha's 8-fold path As we enter the path of practice, it’s good to have some understanding of where we’re going. Otherwise, what am I doing? Why am I practicing? Where am I headed? If I don’t know where I’m going, how am I going to get [...]

The Three Wisdoms (Three Higher Trainings or Threefold Training) After his awakening under the Bodhi tree, the Buddha spent nearly 45 years sharing what he had learned with others. Among his teachings, certain themes appear over and over again. Among these is the threefold path of moral conduct, meditation and wisdom. We see reference to [...]

The Final Two Aggregates: Formation & Consciousness This article is a continuation of this article on the first three aggregates - Form, Sensation & Perception. The fourth skandha—samskara is the Sanskrit word for this—is more complex. It means conditions in a way, but it has a sense of making, of building. Sometimes samskara is translated [...]

What are the five skandhas or aggregates? Why are the five aggregates important? This is a fundamental Buddhist teaching, and it’s basically got two purposes. I’ll start with the obvious one. The term “aggregates” refers to things that are coming together, so when we talk about the aggregates, it’s a way of describing how and [...]

Buddhist Renunciation Explained (Benefits & How to Practice) When people think of Buddhist renunciation they might picture an austere monk, wearing robes and living simply. Such imagery leads to fear around renunciation as a directive to give up all that’s pleasurable in life. But true renunciation differs from deprivation. Buddhist renunciation is an important part [...]

Understanding the meaning of Sangha in Buddhism The three jewels of Buddhism function as three legs of a tripod. All three - Buddha, Dharma and Sangha - are equally vital supports for those on the Buddhist path. Each has distinguishing characteristics, and yet the three are interdependent. Our awakening depends on us taking refuge in [...]

What is Right View in Buddhism? (Understanding the Four Noble Truths) Buddhism teaches there is a particular worldview, or perspective on life, that leads to the end of suffering. Other views keep us in the cycle of suffering by preventing us from seeing things as they truly are. When a Buddhist refers to right view, [...]

Defining Dharma (Definition & Deeper Meaning) In Buddhist studies and teachings, the term dharma is often referred to but left untranslated, as the all-encompassing concept is difficult to replace with a single English word. We might define dharma as the teachings of the Buddha, passed down orally for centuries before taking shape as scripture. Dharma [...]

Buddha Nature Has No Simple Definition There are many benefits to meditation. Among them, you may have heard that with consistent meditation practice your Buddha nature is revealed. Buddha nature has no simple definition. It is a complex, ineffable concept that each Buddhist tradition lends a slightly differing, nuanced understanding to. To ask questions about [...]

Right View and Reincarnation: The Connection to Laws of Karma The principle of reincarnation, also framed as rebirth or the existence of past and future lives, is central to Buddhist teachings. According to the Buddhist world view, we currently live in samsara, a cyclic existence in which our habitual actions in this life propel us [...]

Why Is The Eightfold Path Important? (Putting an End to Suffering) The Buddhist eightfold path, known as the Noble Eightfold Path, are the specific instructions the Buddha gave as part four of the Four Noble Truths. The first noble truth taught us that unenlightened life is destined to be disappointing. Truths two and three gave [...]