Pragmatic Buddhism
Vishrant promotes awareness of the practical teachings of Buddhism to support seekers toward higher consciousness.
Our ability to be open and remain uncontracted in any situation or circumstance is mastery of the mind. This degree of equanimity can be cultivated through practices, ease suffering and is part of the Buddhist path to attaining enlightenment.
Buddhism is a way of life, which in essence is The Way of the Heart. The style of Buddhism practiced here encourages development of Heart through giving and taking care of others, and the removal of mental obstacles to freedom through meditation and active practice of the Dharma.
A summary of the Dharma can be found below.
Pragmatic Buddhism
Vishrant promotes awareness of the practical teachings of Buddhism to support seekers toward higher consciousness.
Our ability to be open and remain uncontracted in any situation or circumstance is mastery of the mind. This degree of equanimity can be cultivated through practices, ease suffering and is part of the Buddhist path to attaining enlightenment.
Buddhism is a way of life, which in essence is The Way of the Heart. The style of Buddhism practiced here encourages development of Heart through giving and taking care of others, and the removal of mental obstacles to freedom through meditation and active practice of the Dharma.
A summary of the Dharma can be found below.
The Three Jewels of Consciousness
The Three Jewels of Consciousness: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, act as a guide and light the way for the seeker who wishes to attain higher consciousness and enlightenment.
Buddha
The Buddha is the awakened awareness. It is what we aspire to be: awakened, enlightened to our true nature.
Dharma
The Dharma is the body of teachings that the Buddha gave. It is the essential philosophy that all may attain peace and joy because fundamentally that is our true nature. View more
The Three Jewels of Consciousness
The Three Jewels of Consciousness: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, act as a guide and light the way for the seeker who wishes to attain higher consciousness and enlightenment.
Buddha
The Buddha is the awakened awareness. It is what we aspire to be: awakened, enlightened to our true nature.
Dharma
The Dharma is the body of teachings that the Buddha gave. It is the essential philosophy that all may attain peace and joy because fundamentally that is our true nature.
Sangha
The Sangha is the community of people around a Buddha. The Buddha taught that we should surround ourselves with those of similar interests, teachers and lay practitioners to inspire us in the beneficial activities of the Dharma.
Four Noble Truths
“The Four Noble Truths” which Gautama the Buddha taught constitute the essence of Buddhism. They diagnose the human condition of dissatisfaction and lay out a path for the end of dissatisfaction.
“The Four Noble Truths” which Gautama the Buddha taught are:
The First Noble TruthDissatisfaction exists.
The Second Noble TruthThis dissatisfaction is caused by attachment and desire. View more
Four Noble Truths
“The Four Noble Truths” which Gautama the Buddha taught constitute the essence of Buddhism. They diagnose the human condition of dissatisfaction and lay out a path for the end of dissatisfaction.
“The Four Noble Truths” which Gautama the Buddha taught are:
The First Noble TruthDissatisfaction exists.
The Second Noble TruthThis dissatisfaction is caused by attachment and desire.
The Third Noble TruthAn end to dissatisfaction is possible.
The Fourth Noble TruthThe path to freedom or liberation. This is taught as The Eightfold Path which is a prescription for enlightenment.
Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path describes the way to freedom, as it was laid out by Gautama the Buddha. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions and it finally leads to knowing truth as self.
Together with the Four Noble Truths, it constitutes the foundation of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect because it is only through practice that one can attain higher consciousness. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.
The Path is divided into three main sections: wisdom, ethical conduct and mental discipline. View more
Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path describes the way to freedom, as it was laid out by Gautama the Buddha. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions and it finally leads to knowing truth as self.
Together with the Four Noble Truths, it constitutes the foundation of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect because it is only through practice that one can attain higher consciousness. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.
The Path is divided into three main sections: wisdom, ethical conduct and mental discipline.
Wisdom
Right View and Right Thought are the wisdom path. Right View is a clear understanding of the Four Noble Truths. Right Thought refers to how we think about ourselves, other people and the world as our thoughts create our reality.
Right View – realising the Four Noble Truths.
Right Thought – a way to ethical and mental self-improvement towards equanimity.
Ethical Conduct
Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood are the ethical conduct path. This calls us to take care in our speech, our actions, and our daily lives to do no harm to others and to cultivate wholesomeness in ourselves.
Right Speech – one speaks in a constructive, simple, truthful way.
Right Action – wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm
Right Livelihood – one’s job does not harm in any way oneself or others, directly or indirectly (weapon maker, drug dealer, etc.).
Mental Discipline
Through Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration we develop the mental discipline to cut through delusion. Buddhism encourages seekers to meditate to achieve clarity and focus of mind.
Right Effort – being present and making an earnest effort to improve.
Right Mindfulness – being present with the mental ability to see things for what they really are with clear consciousness.
Right Concentration – being present and being able to hold focus in an uncluttered mind.