Tathata (Suchness)
Tathata:
'Suchness', designates the firmly fixed nature (bháva) of
all things whatever. The only passage in the Canon where the word occurs in
this sense, is found in Kath. 186 (s. Guide, p. 83). On the Maháyana term tathatá, s.
Suzuki, Awakening of Faith, p. 53f. (App.).
Urbandharma.org
My Definition:
Suchness demonstrates the interconnection between all beings in the universe. Within the universe, there is no separation due to ICA, without any person or event the current moment would be impossible. Thus, it seems that suchness describes a single "being" or "ethos" to which all individuals are unconsciously a part of.
My Journal:
Dukkha results from a denial of conditions and interdependent co-arising of individuals. This denial results in individuals feeling that they are "separated" from one another- this separation creates feelings of "loneliness" or "hopelessness" because of lack of connection. However, this is the opposite problem - in actuality "beings" (there are no actual separation between individuals because all is emptiness) are so connected that we cannot pull ourselves apart from one another. Like a woven cloth, it is impossible to pull apart one thread with your bare hands. However, our interconnection is so closely wove we often miss the connections making us feel alone.
Tathata demonstrates the importance of creating engaged institutions and organizations to aid individuals in attaining enlightenment through the development of skillful habits and practices. These institutions are important because they recognize the interdependent co-arising in between individuals and the absolute influence that other "individuals" have on a person. This influence occurs on both a physical and mental level. For example, if an individual is not educated because of lack of funds- they may turn to stealing in order to provide for their family. This hurts me physically and economically. Furthermore, this influences me mentally as I feel guilt for their lack of education, or I lose the opportunity for a wonderful playwright because of unwholesome conditions. Institutions recognize tahata and create wholesome conditions in response to the attention and recognition of ICA and dukkha.
Urbandharma.org
My Definition:
- April 16 2013:
- April 18, 2013:
Suchness demonstrates the interconnection between all beings in the universe. Within the universe, there is no separation due to ICA, without any person or event the current moment would be impossible. Thus, it seems that suchness describes a single "being" or "ethos" to which all individuals are unconsciously a part of.
My Journal:
- April 16, 2013:
- April 24, 2013:
Dukkha results from a denial of conditions and interdependent co-arising of individuals. This denial results in individuals feeling that they are "separated" from one another- this separation creates feelings of "loneliness" or "hopelessness" because of lack of connection. However, this is the opposite problem - in actuality "beings" (there are no actual separation between individuals because all is emptiness) are so connected that we cannot pull ourselves apart from one another. Like a woven cloth, it is impossible to pull apart one thread with your bare hands. However, our interconnection is so closely wove we often miss the connections making us feel alone.
- April 30, 2013:
Tathata demonstrates the importance of creating engaged institutions and organizations to aid individuals in attaining enlightenment through the development of skillful habits and practices. These institutions are important because they recognize the interdependent co-arising in between individuals and the absolute influence that other "individuals" have on a person. This influence occurs on both a physical and mental level. For example, if an individual is not educated because of lack of funds- they may turn to stealing in order to provide for their family. This hurts me physically and economically. Furthermore, this influences me mentally as I feel guilt for their lack of education, or I lose the opportunity for a wonderful playwright because of unwholesome conditions. Institutions recognize tahata and create wholesome conditions in response to the attention and recognition of ICA and dukkha.
The Three Root Poisons
The Three Root Poisons:
Three Root Poisons bind the individual to Samsara.
1. Ill will is expressed often times as hatred/ anger.
2. Delusion/ ignorance is lack of insight into the fundamental nature of one's expectations.
3. Greed/ desire is the driving force for attachment/ binding/ grasping.
Three Root Poisons create dukkha by creating stories, attachments, or refusing to believe "What is."
Feldman, Jay. "Buddhism, Unit 8." University of Idaho, 2013.
My Definition:
My Journal:
Recently, I have become more aware of my actions and how they are conditioned. Of the three root poisons, ignorance through lack of recognition of dukkha and conditions has been the most harmful in my life. Most often I intentionally ignore opportunities to change by creating stories and refusing to recognize what life is. I need to slow down before I make decisions and examine my motives and the conditions which created them in order to avoid creating dukkha.
Nirvana is attained only after the Three Root Poisons are cast out. However, this does not mean that the individual never experiences desire/ greed, or ignorance. The individual's recognition of this state of being as a condition leads to its eradication before it becomes a conscious decision. Thus dukkha is avoided through an understanding of reality, individuals are able to let go of these poisons before they become attached to behaviors and then habituated.
Although alcohol is often used as an unskillful habit to deal with problems in life, it is often very useful in understanding your exact feelings without thought in the moment as it occurs. However, it is important to realize that though we are feeling this in the moment, it is not necessarily an inherent "truth." Because I am mad at someone one moment, does not mean I will be mad at the in the following, it is important to not grasp at the root poisons as "truths" toward relationships or friends and forget to "let go, " in order to continue seeing things in the moment.
Currently, my strongest "root poison" is ignorance or delusion. Recently, as I have struggled more and more with my weight I have purposely ignored or denied my health problems stemming from anorexia when I was a child. I feel that it is extremely shameful and something to be hidden. What I need to do is recognize that I am as I am but I can change through attention and practice in order to develop skillful habits of mind and body. I feel that I need to adopt an (adapted) motto of the Red Green Show - "I'm a (wo)man... but I can change, if I have to, I guess." Though this process is difficult and I will often want to "relapse" and deny anything is wrong, I need to be attentive to my health and motives in order to truly understand why I behave a certain way and the conditions that result from it (such as pain for my mother if she worries about me).
Three Root Poisons bind the individual to Samsara.
1. Ill will is expressed often times as hatred/ anger.
2. Delusion/ ignorance is lack of insight into the fundamental nature of one's expectations.
3. Greed/ desire is the driving force for attachment/ binding/ grasping.
Three Root Poisons create dukkha by creating stories, attachments, or refusing to believe "What is."
Feldman, Jay. "Buddhism, Unit 8." University of Idaho, 2013.
My Definition:
- Jan 26, 2013:
- March 13, 2013:
My Journal:
- Jan 26, 2013:
- Feb 8, 2013:
- Feb 22, 2013:
Recently, I have become more aware of my actions and how they are conditioned. Of the three root poisons, ignorance through lack of recognition of dukkha and conditions has been the most harmful in my life. Most often I intentionally ignore opportunities to change by creating stories and refusing to recognize what life is. I need to slow down before I make decisions and examine my motives and the conditions which created them in order to avoid creating dukkha.
- Mar 3, 2013:
Nirvana is attained only after the Three Root Poisons are cast out. However, this does not mean that the individual never experiences desire/ greed, or ignorance. The individual's recognition of this state of being as a condition leads to its eradication before it becomes a conscious decision. Thus dukkha is avoided through an understanding of reality, individuals are able to let go of these poisons before they become attached to behaviors and then habituated.
- March 18, 2013:
Although alcohol is often used as an unskillful habit to deal with problems in life, it is often very useful in understanding your exact feelings without thought in the moment as it occurs. However, it is important to realize that though we are feeling this in the moment, it is not necessarily an inherent "truth." Because I am mad at someone one moment, does not mean I will be mad at the in the following, it is important to not grasp at the root poisons as "truths" toward relationships or friends and forget to "let go, " in order to continue seeing things in the moment.
- April 27, 2013:
Currently, my strongest "root poison" is ignorance or delusion. Recently, as I have struggled more and more with my weight I have purposely ignored or denied my health problems stemming from anorexia when I was a child. I feel that it is extremely shameful and something to be hidden. What I need to do is recognize that I am as I am but I can change through attention and practice in order to develop skillful habits of mind and body. I feel that I need to adopt an (adapted) motto of the Red Green Show - "I'm a (wo)man... but I can change, if I have to, I guess." Though this process is difficult and I will often want to "relapse" and deny anything is wrong, I need to be attentive to my health and motives in order to truly understand why I behave a certain way and the conditions that result from it (such as pain for my mother if she worries about me).