The Five Remembrances

[Kaishin]

I enjoyed this talk about the Buddha's Five Remembrances.

http://hzcpodcast.org/dharma-talks/2015/11/8/mary-carol-edwards-the-5-remembrances

Thich Nhat Hanh's interpretation of the fifth remembrance really struck me: "My actions are my only true belongings."

Enjoy.

[Risho]

I always want to study these, but I forget (ok, Buddhist humor. lol )

Thank you Kaishin! I will check this out.

Gassho,

Risho
-sattoday

[Myosha]

Hello,

Thank you for the link.


Gassho
Myosha sat today

[Ryan379]

Thank you Kaishin



Gassho

Ryan

#SatToday

[Jundo]

Yes, lovely. Thank you. Buddhist folks love numbered lists for 2500 years because, well, it helps us remember ... not unlike the grocery list!

This is one of the classics, reaching back into the Suttas. Here is one version. I append a little comment to each ...


I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.

When old, be old. When young, be young. Just flow with and embrace the flowing time, there is nothing to escape.

(Also, know that which is timeless, transcending "young and old, now and then" at the heart of the flowing)


I am of the nature to have ill health.
There is no way to escape ill health.

When sick, be sick. When healthy, be healthy. Just flow with and embrace the body's moods, there is nothing to escape.

(Still, get regular check-ups, eat well, exercise and take you medicine. One can still embrace and take care at once)


I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.

When there is death just die, when there is life just life. Just flow with and embrace all life and death, there is nothing to escape.

(Nonetheless, know that which transcends even human measures of "life and death", a Buddha's smile amid the tears of loss)


All that is dear to me and everyone I love
are the nature to change.

There is no way to escape
being separated from them.

When together, be together. When apart, be apart. Just flow with and embrace all union and separation, there is nothing to escape.

(However, nurture our loving relationships as best we can when together. Also, know the Union of life which transcends all separations.)


My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.

My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

For as long as this life continues, for as long as our relationships last ... live doing good, live caring, live gently.

(If there is a next life, it sure will not hurt. In this life, it will leave this world, those around us and ourselves better, all not-two by the way).


Gassho, J

[Kaishin]

Thank you for the additional commentary, Jundo!

-satToday

[Washin]

Thank you for the link, Kaishin.

Gassho
Sergey
ST

[CK732]

I enjoyed this talk about the Buddha's Five Remembrances.

http://hzcpodcast.org/dharma-talks/2015/11/8/mary-carol-edwards-the-5-remembrances

Thich Nhat Hanh's interpretation of the fifth remembrance really struck me: "My actions are my only true belongings."

Enjoy.

Yes, lovely. Thank you. Buddhist folks love numbered lists for 2500 years because, well, it helps us remember ... not unlike the grocery list!

This is one of the classics, reaching back into the Suttas. Here is one version. I append a little comment to each ...


I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.

When old, be old. When young, be young. Just flow with and embrace the flowing time, there is nothing to escape.

(Also, know that which is timeless, transcending "young and old, now and then" at the heart of the flowing)


I am of the nature to have ill health.
There is no way to escape ill health.

When sick, be sick. When healthy, be healthy. Just flow with and embrace the body's moods, there is nothing to escape.

(Still, get regular check-ups, eat well, exercise and take you medicine. One can still embrace and take care at once)


I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.

When there is death just die, when there is life just life. Just flow with and embrace all life and death, there is nothing to escape.

(Nonetheless, know that which transcends even human measures of "life and death", a Buddha's smile amid the tears of loss)


All that is dear to me and everyone I love
are the nature to change.

There is no way to escape
being separated from them.

When together, be together. When apart, be apart. Just flow with and embrace all union and separation, there is nothing to escape.

(However, nurture our loving relationships as best we can when together. Also, know the Union of life which transcends all separations.)


My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.

My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

For as long as this life continues, for as long as our relationships last ... live doing good, live caring, live gently.

(If there is a next life, it sure will not hurt. In this life, it will leave this world, those around us and ourselves better, all not-two by the way).


Gassho, J

Thank you, Kaishin and Jundo. I can see how contemplating this list will bring us to contentment and happiness. It's true and there's nothing that we can do about it except accept it.

Thanks again.

Metta

Gassho

Clarisse Sat2Day


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tai Do]

I just found this thread and it really resonated. Thank you, Kaishin, for bringing this up (years ago, but even so right now) and Jundo, for your zen twist on the Five Remembrances. Just commented so others can see it.
Gassho
Mateus
Sat

[WorkerB]

Yes, lovely. Thank you. Buddhist folks love numbered lists for 2500 years because, well, it helps us remember ... not unlike the grocery list!

This is one of the classics, reaching back into the Suttas. Here is one version. I append a little comment to each ...


I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.

When old, be old. When young, be young. Just flow with and embrace the flowing time, there is nothing to escape.

(Also, know that which is timeless, transcending "young and old, now and then" at the heart of the flowing)


I am of the nature to have ill health.
There is no way to escape ill health.

When sick, be sick. When healthy, be healthy. Just flow with and embrace the body's moods, there is nothing to escape.

(Still, get regular check-ups, eat well, exercise and take you medicine. One can still embrace and take care at once)


I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.

When there is death just die, when there is life just life. Just flow with and embrace all life and death, there is nothing to escape.

(Nonetheless, know that which transcends even human measures of "life and death", a Buddha's smile amid the tears of loss)


All that is dear to me and everyone I love
are the nature to change.

There is no way to escape
being separated from them.

When together, be together. When apart, be apart. Just flow with and embrace all union and separation, there is nothing to escape.

(However, nurture our loving relationships as best we can when together. Also, know the Union of life which transcends all separations.)


My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.

My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

For as long as this life continues, for as long as our relationships last ... live doing good, live caring, live gently.

(If there is a next life, it sure will not hurt. In this life, it will leave this world, those around us and ourselves better, all not-two by the way).


Gassho, J

Bumping this in case others would like to refer to Jundo’s post after today’s guest talk.

Gassho,
b
Time to sit.

[JasonC]

Bumping this in case others would like to refer to Jundo’s post after today’s guest talk.

Gassho,
b
Time to sit.

Gassho,

Jason

StLah

[Doshin]

Doshin
St

[Tairin]

In case anyone is interested, Koun Franz recently did a podcast on the Five Remembrances. You can find it here.

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/zennovascotia/episodes/2023-09-17T05_00_00-07_00

Tairin
Sat today and lah