Sunyata
29. Sunyata: Emptiness
Dictionary Definition: Sunyata, translated into English as emptiness, openness,thusness, refers to the absence of inherent existence in all phenomena, and it is complementary to the Buddhist concepts of not self (Pāli: anatta, Sanskrit: anātman) and dependent origination.The exact definition of emptiness varies from one Buddhist tradition to another. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: The end of the senses. It is the emptiness of identity and essence. It is pervading emptiness of one thing, the self as an individual, separate yet full of flowing conditions. Being empty of self allows us to let go of preconditions and assumptions.
29. Sunyata: Emptiness
Dictionary Definition: Sunyata, translated into English as emptiness, openness,thusness, refers to the absence of inherent existence in all phenomena, and it is complementary to the Buddhist concepts of not self (Pāli: anatta, Sanskrit: anātman) and dependent origination.The exact definition of emptiness varies from one Buddhist tradition to another. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: The end of the senses. It is the emptiness of identity and essence. It is pervading emptiness of one thing, the self as an individual, separate yet full of flowing conditions. Being empty of self allows us to let go of preconditions and assumptions.
Sympathetic Joy
30. *Sympathetic Joy (One of the Four Immeasureables)
Dictionary Definition: The pleasure that comes from delighting in other people's well-being rather than begrudging it. The attitude of a parent observing a growing child's accomplishments and successes, but it is not to be confounded with pride as the person feeling sympathetic joy must not have any interest or direct income from the accomplishments of the other. Being happy when other people are healthy and prosperous. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: The act of helping people not because it will benefit you in some way or another, but because it is the right thing to do for all sentient beings and the joy that comes from watching other people be happy and healthy. It is being selfless and being content with it.
Journal Entry March 27th: Looking back on my previous breaks from school during this break, I think about the various service trips I have gone on with the school. It makes me sad to think about because I loved the trips so much. I went on a service trip for two weeks this previous winter break and everyday I find myself wishing I was with them. Beside the fact that I should let it go and be present in the current moment, I think about how much I not only learned about myself on that trip (because I learned more about myself than I ever would have guessed possible); I think about the joy in the people's faces that we helped. It is such an amazing feeling to be able to truly help someone and see the happiness they feel. It is amazing to be able to help people and see their reactions of bliss. It showed me that even when you think what you are doing to help will have no impact at all, that even the smallest amount of work makes such a big impact, maybe not on the exterior but definitely in improving the viewpoints of others.
30. *Sympathetic Joy (One of the Four Immeasureables)
Dictionary Definition: The pleasure that comes from delighting in other people's well-being rather than begrudging it. The attitude of a parent observing a growing child's accomplishments and successes, but it is not to be confounded with pride as the person feeling sympathetic joy must not have any interest or direct income from the accomplishments of the other. Being happy when other people are healthy and prosperous. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: The act of helping people not because it will benefit you in some way or another, but because it is the right thing to do for all sentient beings and the joy that comes from watching other people be happy and healthy. It is being selfless and being content with it.
Journal Entry March 27th: Looking back on my previous breaks from school during this break, I think about the various service trips I have gone on with the school. It makes me sad to think about because I loved the trips so much. I went on a service trip for two weeks this previous winter break and everyday I find myself wishing I was with them. Beside the fact that I should let it go and be present in the current moment, I think about how much I not only learned about myself on that trip (because I learned more about myself than I ever would have guessed possible); I think about the joy in the people's faces that we helped. It is such an amazing feeling to be able to truly help someone and see the happiness they feel. It is amazing to be able to help people and see their reactions of bliss. It showed me that even when you think what you are doing to help will have no impact at all, that even the smallest amount of work makes such a big impact, maybe not on the exterior but definitely in improving the viewpoints of others.
Tathata (Suchness)
31. Tathata: Suchness
Dictionary Definition: Thusness, suchness, essential nature, true nature, or truth. Tathata is a fundamental concept in Mahayana philosophy and is interpreted as the true nature of all phenomena or as the original state of things. A Buddha is regarded as one who observes things exactly as they are and who perceives the true nature of all things. (SGI Library)
My Definition: The ground of being, the fundamental nature of reality which is sunya, empty of self-nature.
31. Tathata: Suchness
Dictionary Definition: Thusness, suchness, essential nature, true nature, or truth. Tathata is a fundamental concept in Mahayana philosophy and is interpreted as the true nature of all phenomena or as the original state of things. A Buddha is regarded as one who observes things exactly as they are and who perceives the true nature of all things. (SGI Library)
My Definition: The ground of being, the fundamental nature of reality which is sunya, empty of self-nature.