A Forgotten Marketing Tool - The Postcard
The Noble Truth of the Extinction of Suffering: If we do away with our desires, then we will be able to lessen the potential for suffering. You will become closer to attaining peace and karma no longer becomes an issue, as the cycle of suffering will be broken.
MZC: Achaan Chah talks about liberation depending on the recognition of the radical separateness of awareness, the "one who knows and the five skandas" (form, feeling, perception, volition, consciousness). I question this. How can we separate the one who knows and what is known? The meditator, according to Achan Cha, separates awareness from the object and can focus on the awareness.
Meditation practice is a rich journey best approached with patience, persistence, curiosity and no expectations! Over time, meditating with a group on occasion and seeking guidance from a skilled teacher can greatly support your practice.
They believed that the Buddha wasn't present anymore, but he left a sustaining power in these objects. This sustaining power could affect their karma. That is, by worshiping these objects that have the power of the Buddha, they will have a better rebirth in a future life. Remember that Buddhist believe that, to achieve Nirvana, you need to go through a great number of lives. So, it is better for you to have a good rebirth, having a better chance to advance in your path to enlightenment in a future life.
This first stage, anapanasati, can be outlined and succinctly instructed, as this is the part of the practice that one can actually do, practically and willfully. The second component, insight, arises out of the firm foundation of anapanasiti like an act of grace. Insight into the true, unwavering nature of reality happens spontaneously over time when the mind settles into deeper states of acceptance and concentration.
The empire was then restored by a new king, Jayavarman VII, the capital was then re-established and the state temple was established as well. However in the 13th century the temple originally Hindu, became a temple for theravada Buddhism, and has remained as such to this day. What is unique about Angkor Wat is that it was never completely abandoned and it has remained preserved despite neglect. Scholars argue that this is because of the protection of the moat that keeps the jungle from encroaching upon it.
MZC: As you know, Vedanta teaches that if you go deeply into that awareness, that consciousness, you may spontaneously fall into the Self and that's all that is. All is arising as a modification of this Consciousness.
