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by Gambhiro Bikkhu

an down

world

upside


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Of all the dhammas you see in the world,they all come from the mind.

Following what you understand,you grasp at appearances.

This is upside down and not the real thing.

Avatamsaka Sutra


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This is the story of four unhappy people who


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becameveryhappy.Thisishowitcametobe.

Click this Button - make them Happy


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The Buddha and hisdisciples were walkingalong a road one day

when they came acrossfour unhappy wanderers.The Buddha asked themwhy they were unhappy.


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Thefirst one

said shewas un-happy

becauseshe was

so beau-tiful asa youngwoman

and now

hadgrownso old

and ugly.Whydoes

h


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The fourth was unhappy because he didnt fit into the world.He was square and the world was round.


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He then lookedat the old womanand asked her if

she liked to eatripe fruit. The old

woman said thatshe did. Why,

then, the Buddha

asked, dont youaccept old age?

Those who dontwish to get oldshould only eat

fruit flowers andnot the fruit thatripen and get old.


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As for the young manand grieving woman,

he asked them to go

and find a mustardseed from a householdwhere nobody had ever

gotten sick or died.When they returned

empty-handed, theBuddha said, See, now,

how sickness and deathcome to all beings. Donot think that you are

the only ones theycome to. All who are

born get sick and die.


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To the fourth theBuddha said, You do not

fit because you are notone with the world. Youhave sharp corners andthe world has none. Youvegot to learn how to roll.

But I cant roll, repliedthe square. Ive got sharpcorners, remember?

You can give it a try,said the Buddha. But

youve got to be willing togive up your corners first.


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The first three wanderers, inspired by the Buddhas words,went into a cave to meditate. But it wasnt easy.


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Determined as they were, however, they finally gained insightand understanding into the truth of suffering, impermanence,and non-self. They had at last found happiness and peace.


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As for the square, he followed the Buddhas advice and startedto roll.


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It was difficult at first because sometimesthe

road was

very ro

c k y.


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es

the r

ollingwas

al

luphil

l


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Sometimesitwasjustrolling

backandforth.


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But the squarestuck to it and little

by little he started

to feel different.The road wasbeginning to feelless bumpy andit was getting

easier to roll,until finally hewas transformed

into a circle. Hewas now as round

as the world andbecame one with it.At last he fit!


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And this is how four unhappy people


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becameveryhappy. Click this Button - make them Happy


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Do good,dont do evil,

purify the mind.This is the teaching of all the buddhas

Four Noble Truths1. All beings suffer.

2. All suffering is caused by desire.

3. Getting rid of desire gets rid of suffering.

4. The Eightfold Pathis the method which leads to the end of suffering:


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Eightfold Path:1. Right View. Right View is the understanding that life is

suffering, that the cause of suffering is desire, that there isan end to suffering, and there is a path that leads to the endof suffering. In other words, Right View is to understand theFour Noble Truths.

2. Right Thought. Right Thought is the elimination of badthoughts from our mind and to keep it full of good thoughts.

3. Right Speech. Right speech is lovely and truthful speech,free of harsh, angry, or foolish words.

4. Right Action. Right Action is to refrain from harming anyliving beings, from stealing, from any irresponsible sexualconduct, from drinking any alcohol or using intoxicating drugs.


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5. Right Livelihood. Right Livelihood is not to do work thatbrings harm to others, such as selling liquor, poisons, or guns.

6. Right Effort. Right Effort is to encourage and sustainwholesome thoughts and to discourage and overcomeunwholesome thoughts.

7. Right Mindfulness. Right Mindfulness is to be constantlyaware of all the activities of the body, of feelings, ideas, ofall the activities of the mind.

8. Right Concentration. Right Concentration is the practice ofmeditation.

The Buddhas teachings can bring peace and joy to you, too,

if you give it a try. Why dont you give it a try?


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