Fifth Precept Sangha

2022-01-012022-01-15

The Buddha’s RAFT

Fragile looking raft made of bamboo at the edge of river.

An alternative perspective on the ‘Four Noble Truths’

You probably know the lovely simile that the Buddha used about someone needing to cross a large expanse of dangerous water because the current shore is dubious and risky, but the further shore is secure and free from risk. He says that you would gather together whatever was needed to make a raft that would keep you safe and direct you across the water… but once you get to the security of the far shore you can leave the raft behind and continue your journey. You don’t have to drag the raft around for the rest of your life!

In the Buddha’s first talk – after he awakened to life as it really is – he shared 4 important realisations…

He proposed that the basic-pattern-of-things (Dhamma/Dharma) means that life is inherently, unavoidably and naturally painful, difficult and disappointing and suggested that we investigate and fully understand how this pain manifests and what it actually means to each and every one of us.

This was his first realisation… this was his first teaching!

He goes on to point out that much of the pain of life comes as a result of our human inclinations, our compulsions, and our preferences and aversions, which he says, can be overcome and abandoned.

He then says that it is possible for anyone to personally experience… and to personally verify the absence of these compulsions…

I would say that anyone ‘in recovery’ has shared this experience but we forget (which is the opposite of mindfulness) to remember just how much we have achieved in recovery. We forget to acknowledge and appreciate that in a Buddhist sense we have found freedom from craving, freedom from aversion and freedom from confusion.

….and lastly, the Buddha suggests that we actively engage in a programme that supports the abandonment of harmful compulsions and minimises unnecessary and avoidable pain.

Mindful Awareness Responds Appropriately

I like to describe ‘mindfulness’ as M.A.R.A.

Mindful
Awareness
Responds
Appropriately

So, the appropriate response to this basic-patterns-of-things might look like…
– Recognise (realise) what it is to be human.
– Abandon painful compulsions and addictions.
– Familiarise yourself with what it feels like to be free from compulsions [craving, aversion and confusion]
– Train (teach and transform) your body and mind to live a good life.
^{Vince Cullen – 1st January 2022}

The subject of recognising and embracing what it is to be human will be explored in the forthcoming Heart of Forgiveness interactive workshops:

For a more traditional rendering of the Buddha’s first talk see https://www.accesstoinsight.org/…/sn56/sn56.011.harv.html

For printable M.A.R.A. poster see
https://5th-precept.org/MARA-A3-Size(July2017).pdf

2021-12-312022-01-11

New Year Eve – Intention Setting – 2021

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31

SACCA-KIRIYĀ INTENTION SETTING

“By this truth may there be happiness”

~ Buddha

Important Note: Sacca (Pali) is the same as Sajja (Thai) both meaning ‘truth‘ and both pronounced ‘sat-cha‘.

This event is jointly offered by the Buddhist Recovery Network and the Fifth Precept Sangha.

Zoom link is at bottom of this page…

9:00 am (Pacific) / 5:00 pm (Ireland/UK)
30-Minute Guided Serenity Breath Meditation

9:30 am (Pacific) / 5:30 pm (Ireland/UK)
Dhamma Talk: ‘Acts of Truth’ – Vince Cullen

10:00 am (Pacific) / 6:00 pm (Ireland/UK)
Sacca-kiriyā Intention Setting in Three Parts

Part One: Forgiveness Aspiration

Those individuals who wish to participate, unmute and repeat each line after the leader:

“I ask for forgiveness from others for whatever harmful things I have done: the mistakes, the failures and the wrong-doings that I have intentionally or unintentionally done with body, word and heart.”

“I ask for and extend forgiveness to myself for whatever harmful things I have done to myself: the mistakes, the failures and the wrong-doings that I have intentionally or unintentionally done with body, word and heart.”

“As far as I am ready and able; I forgive others for whatever harmful things they have done: the mistakes, the failures and the wrong-doings committed intentionally or unintentionally with body, word and heart.”

Part Two: Sacca-kiriyā Intentions

Optional and voluntary, open opportunity for individuals to unmute and share their own Sacca-kiriya intentions. Each individual reads aloud:

“In this place of mindfulness, with the natural Elements and those present as my witnesses, I knowingly and openly commit to the following Sacca:”

[insert your ‘Sacca-kiriya’ here… for example, but not limited to…]

“I will not take alcohol or other drugs that lead to carelessness for…”

[ the rest of my life ] [ one year ] [ one week ] [ one day ]

“I will practice these Sacca(s) one breath at a time; one step at a time; one day at a time.”

Part Three: Dedication of Merit for Sacca-kiriyā

Those individuals who have participated, unmute and repeat each line after the leader:

“May the merit and benefits from the fulfilment of these Sacca(s) relieve the suffering of any beings currently experiencing Hell realm mind-states and conditions; and may the merit and benefits be shared around the whole Universe.

In the realm of the Human beings; may the merit and benefits from the fulfilment of this Sacca be shared with my family, with my benefactors and with my friends; and may it relieve the suffering of all the people that I have ever hurt or harmed.