I have discovered a nectar-like truth which is profound, peaceful simplicity luminous and unfabricated.
The Buddha, upon attaining enlightenment
Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, are the foundation of the Buddhist teaching, and are known as the Triratna, the Three Rare and Sublime Ones. The first of these three is the Buddha, the teacher. Born as an Indian prince in the 5th century BC, Prince Siddhartha abandoned his kingdom, and discovered unconditional freedom and enlightenment. He became known as the Buddha--'the awakened one'. His teaching has remained until the present day, not merely as a scriptural heritage, but also as a lineage of living experience, and is referred to as the Dharma. Those who make an experience of the teaching are known as the Sangha, the community of practitioners.
The common foundation for all Buddhist practice is mindfulness. The Buddha taught that to achieve happiness, and ultimately awakening, we need to remove confusion allowing the mind to recover its natural condition, free from confusion. To approach this fundamental nature, we need a sane path, a path that does not distract us with promises, but makes us relate to exactly what we are. Our true nature is not fabricated through spiritual discipline or wishful thinking; it is seen through relating simply and directly to what is. If we can step aside and let our mind simply be, we can begin to appreciate our own intelligence and discover qualities such as gentleness, fearlessness, joy and kindness. This does, however, require that we relate to ourselves and our world precisely and wholeheartedly, without habitual speed. This is the practice of mindfulness, and the foundation for all meditation practice on the Buddhist path.
All proceeds from this teaching event go to Lotus Outreach. Lotus Outreach is a non-religious organization that uses a hands-on approach to help children, families, and communities. Every pound Lotus Outreach receives is used to educate young people and build sustainable community programs worldwide.
