Dharma Tree – Details, episodes & analysis

Dharma on Demand | Ep15. Thanksgiving Blessings

On this Thanksgiving day, we reflect on our blessings and happiness using the Mangala Sutta (Sutra on Happiness). We reflect on what exactly is happiness and what should count as blessings. On this episode we recognize that blessings aren't the things that happen to us, but on the things that we do to create those blessings.

#thanksgiving #blessings #happiness #dharmaondemand #dharmatree

Dharma on Demand | Ep14. Mantras

Mantras. What are they? Why use them? What do they mean? We'll talk about all that and more, and discuss why having a personal mantra is important.

#DharmaOnDemand #Mantras #DharmaTree

Dharma on Demand | Ep8. The Eightfold Path: Right Speech

Right Speech is based on Right Thinking. Speech is the way for our thinking to express itself aloud. The Buddha dives Right Speech into four components: 1) abstaining from false speech, 2) abstaining from slanderous speech, 3) abstaining from harsh speech, and 4) abstaining from idle chatter, exaggeration, and embellishing. 

Dharma on Demand | Ep7. The Eightfold Path: Right Thinking/Intention

The foundation of the Buddhist journey is the practice of the Noble Eightfold  Path. Right Thinking/Intention is the mental energy to control our speech and actions. The Buddha explained that Right Intention is threefold: the intention of renunciation, the intention of good will, and the intention of harmlessness.

Ask a Monk | Ep4. Why do Buddhists bow?

On this episode of Ask a Monk, I briefly answer why Buddhists bow during services and ceremonies, and the significance of bowing during the services and to others.

Guided Meditation | Identifying Self-Judgement and Bringing in Self-Compassion

Self-judgment and self-criticism can be very engrained thought patterns, so much so that we don’t fully realize they are present.

Many of us have a lot of conditioning that negatively impacts the thoughts we hold about ourselves. And many of us are just starting to recognize the ways in which we talk to ourselves or how often we treat ourselves with unkindness.

Much like improving our physical health, it’s important to first be aware of the ways in which we are suffering as a result of self-judgment.

It’s also important to not start judging ourselves for judging ourselves. We have been doing our best, and self-compassion is a skill that must be practiced like any other skill.

This meditation is to support us in identifying our self-judgment and then bringing self- compassion to meet it.

Ep6. The Eightfold Path: Right View

The foundation of the Buddhist journey is the practice of the Noble Eightfold  Path. The first and one of the most important Paths is Right View; the ability to see things as they are and the release of our ignorance. In this short teaching, I briefly go over the basic concept of Right View.

Ask a Monk | Buddhism's views on LGBTQ+

On this quick episode, I answer the question "What is Buddhism's views on LGBTQ+?" 

It's in my experience that I know some LGBTQ+ people have hesitated to attend Buddhist services. sanghas, or groups because of fear of discrimination or denial. But, it's important to know that the Buddha welcomed ALL people into his community and sangha, and it's only in modern society where distinctions and separations are being made.

#Dharma #LGBTQ #WeAreAllBuddhas

Ask a Monk | Difference between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism

On this episode of Ask a Monk, we'll briefly discuss the main differences of Mahayana and Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism.

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Guided Meditation: Awareness of our body during walking meditation

During this short and simple guided meditation, we will take a walk with our awareness of our body and the sensations we see and feel.