Episode Details

As the calendar year comes to an end, I offer this poem as a re-write of a text that one of my Sanghas has been studying. The text is called The Eight Realizations of Great Beings, one story says it was one of the last teachings given by the Buddha before passing into PariNirvana.

I re-wrote the teaching as a way of distilling and remembering the practices we did together during our Autumn Ango. The teaching is about liberation and the profound realization of our interconnected life. I offer it as a capping phrase to this Autumn of our practice life, and as something we can turn over in our hearts throughout the winter and coming year. For the dharma teachings always get better with age.

The Eight Realizations: Pith Instructions for Living a Joyful Life

I—Impermanence

All the world is impermanent. Change is our nature.

Our bodies, minds, the body of the great earth and everyone we love

The universe with its stars and solar systems

Will change, are changing, will decay and give way to

Something new

Realize the truth of impermanence

And wisdom will be your guide

II—Clinging/Satisfaction

When we try to hold on to something that is changing

We suffer

Greed, hoarding, taking more than one’s share

This is clinging

This is suffering

Practice satisfaction, know how much is enough

Live in reciprocity with the earth and all beings

III—Simplicity

The mind is insatiable, always wanting more

and more, and more

Follow the path of liberation

Live simply

Make wisdom + compassion your sole vocation

IV—Joyful Effort

To follow the Way

Is like trying to swim upstream

It takes enthusiastic perseverance

And great care

Practice with others and

You are buoyed by their generous currents

V—Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great friend

Attention is healing

Truly an act of love

Listen to the wisdom of your

Body, feelings, mind and awareness

Practice discernment

And you won’t be misled

VI—Generosity

Generosity is a path

A generous heart is always full

Take joy in giving

And receiving

And you will realize

The gift of this life

VII—Interconnection

Vast is the Buddha’s robe of liberation

A formless field of interconnection

And kindness

Transmute unskillful desires

Into the heart of bodhicitta

Fill your bowl with compassion

And offer it to all

VIII—Vow

In this world of suffering and love

Remember that you are not separate

From anyone or anything

Vow to walk this path

For the benefit of all beings

Throughout time and space

These are the 8 realizations, the practices of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Ancestors and other great beings. Practice them, develop wisdom and compassion, and live in reciprocity with all beings. This is the way to living a joyful life.

I’m Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, budding Astrologer and Artist. I currently live in Columbus, Ohio with my partner Patrick Kennyo Dunn, we facilitate an in-person meditation gathering every Wednesday from 7P - 8:30P at ILLIO in Clintonville through Mud Lotus Sangha. If you happen to be in Columbus, feel free to stop by. We have weekly meditation