A FILTER – VEN. THAY THANH

A Filter:

Teaching at a retreat at Dong Hung Temple, Venerable Chuc Thanh told the sangha “The practice is like a filter.  Use mindfulness of speaking and of acting as a filter.”

When considering this teaching, it is appropriate to also include “mindfulness of thinking” in the filter concept.  As you think about how this teaching applies to your daily life practice, remember that a definition of karma is “intentional thoughts, words and actions.”  Is Ven. Chuc Thanh reminding us that developing, nurturing and using mindfulness is integral to our karma?  Take a few minutes to research the Buddhism definition of mindfulness to help solidify your own concept of it.  Do you use this filter as often as you should?       

(Venerable Thich Chuc Thanh is the Dharma Master at Dong Hung Temple. This quotation is part of a continuing collection from his dharma talks given in Virginia Beach, VA and Southern Shores, NC beginning in 2015. The quotation title and commentary are by temple member Mark Palamara.)