Sunday Virtual Sangha: Meditation and Dharma

SUNDAY SANGHA: Meditation and dharma.

All are welcome!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87840294397

Meeting ID: 878 4029 4397 / Passcode: 355743

Sunday August 14, 2022 will be led by Bill Stauffer

Schedule (subject to change):

-Opening prayers

-Guided Meditation (about 10 minutes) Short Break

-Dharma Talk: Skillful and Unskillful Pleasure on the Path (read more below!)

-Closing prayers/dedication of merit

Dharma Topic for August 14: Skillful and Unskillful Pleasure on the Path

Pleasure is at the heart of the Buddha’s teachings. Unskillful pleasure, the

Buddha warns, leads to increased suffering and prevents awakening. But

skillful pleasure, which the Buddha recommends, is a necessary part of our

spiritual journey. This Sunday we will look at both kinds of pleasure. Let’s see

if we can learn what pleasures to avoid and what to develop as we work to

bring suffering to an end.

The Buddha has warned repeatedly, in many teachings, about the suffering

caused by a craving for sensual pleasures. According to the Buddha, such

craving is inherently suffering and can cause further suffering by motivating

me to unethical behaviors, criminal behaviors, and even the starting of wars. It

also prevents me from awakening. We will discuss this.

On the other hand, if we look at the Buddha’s life story we see that he was

unable to get enlightened until he changed his understanding of pleasure.

When the bodhisattva started his quest he was afraid of pleasure, and for

many years found only dead ends. But once the bodhisattva understood that

skillful pleasures could help him then he became a Buddha rather quickly. We

will also discuss what the bodhisattva learned about skillful pleasures and how

he used that to awaken.

Download the TBC Prayer book for at-home and virtual practice