Anagārika Jay

A Theravada Meal Chant Wisely reflecting, I use this food Not for fun, not for pleasure, not for fattening, not for beautification,  Only for the nourishment and maintenance of this body, For keeping it healthy, For helping with the Holy-life, Thinking thus,  "I shall destroy old feelings (of hunger)  And not produce new feelings (of overeating). Thus there will be freedom from physical discomfort and living at ease. The only change I have made is to replace almsfood with food.

The second noble truth teaches me that desire and my attachment to desire is why I am caught in this cycle of rebirth. But because of ignorance, I do not handle desire wisely. I usually only think that there are two responses to desire. I can indulge it or repress it. Yet I know that what I resist persists. The third option is to step back and observe the desire. See it arise, intensify, and dissipate. Watch the tension in the body. Notice where it is, what it feels like, and how it flows and vibrates. Both indulgence and repression energize the desire, reinforce it, and strengthen it. Only by becoming the observer do I gain freedom. Only then do I stop being a participant in the story. Remember, be the observer. In every action, breath, feeling, thought, or experience. Get out of my head and into my life.

The Buddha said:     " And what, practitioners, is dependent arising? Ignorance is a condition for unwise choices. Unwise choices are a condition for individual consciousness. Individual consciousness is a condition for the mind and body.     " The mind and body are a condition for the six senses. The six senses are a condition for sense impressions. Sense impressions are a condition for feelings. Feelings are a condition for attachment. Attachment is a condition for clinging. Clinging is a condition for reenergizing existence. Reenergizing existence is a condition for rebirth. Rebirth is a condition for aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, suffering, sadness, and distress. Such is the origin of this whole mass of misfortune" (SN 12.2 Forrest). Summary (1-3) and Process (4-12):  Avijjā - Ignorance Saṅkhāra - Unwise Choices  Viññāṇa - Individual Consciousness Nāmarūpa - Mind and Body Saḷāyatana - Six Senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind) Phassa - Sense Imp

A hermit is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, " a person living in solitude as a religious discipline."  A Buddhist hermit practices the spiritual disciplined of silence, solitude, simplicity, moderation, meditation, and mindfulness. It is implied that that a hermit is celibate. For a Buddhist this is the normal culmination of the path to non-attachment. Sexual indulgence and Nirvana are mutually incompatible. A hermit is almost a monk. They are halfway between a layperson and a monk. They both practice celibacy, solitude, moderation, minimalism and focus on deepening one's spiritual practice. But hermits handle money and do not follow all the rules of ordained monks.  And since hermits are not part of a group, they cannot be kicked out for breaking the rules. Forever hermit as sexual relations hr or she is still a hermit, just not a good one. I would suggest that vegan Buddhist hermits have their own version of the five precepts. These precepts are guidelines

Having been married since I was 19 years old (not to the same woman), I now live alone.  There are many things that I have been learning about myself. I am a bit of a clean freak. I say a bit because I only dust, do laundry, and mop and vacuum the floor once weekly. This is not radical, but it is completely different from when I lived with someone. I have also become a minimalist, except with my books. I have only two sets of silverware, two bowls, two cups, and two plates. That is in case my son stops by or I have a friend over.  The thing I most appreciate is, in the words of Richard Byrd, being "able to live exactly as I chose." I can go for a walk, read a book, sleep in, or watch TV whenever I want. It was the freedom I needed.  I am a whole-food vegan who does not add salt, oil, or sugar to the meals I cook. Getting other people to follow this diet is, to say the least, difficult. I don't have to worry about that living alone. I cook for myself. I also have come to b

These are the basic training rules observed by all practicing Buddhists. They are often recited after  taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. 1. I undertake the precept to refrain from killing or harming sentient beings. 2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given. 3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct. 4. I undertake the precept to refrain from false speech. 5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to heedlessness.

Part of my spirituality includes the five precepts of Buddhism. The fifth precept says to avoid intoxicants that cloud the mind. This includes both drugs and alcohol. For this reason, I don't drink any alcohol. No wine, beer, or hard liquor. In fact, I pretty much only drink water, tea, almond milk, and an occasional Coke Zero. I believe that this is helped me become healthier and lose weight. As I write this, I now weigh 173 lb. This is normal weight for me. It's the first time I've been a normal weight in many, many years. I don't do a lot of socializing, so I have no real pressure to drink. Since becoming a Buddhist, I've only had a beer or two several times. But I haven't had anything for over a year. And I won't have anything in the future. Just like everything else, this is just my journey and my story. I don't preach to anybody, about anything. I just share my story. If it inspires you, great! If it doesn't apply, let it go.