One Most Important Thing About You

November 29th, 2018, Bir, India

Walking meditation in front of the Buddha Hall, Deer Park Institute, Bir

Day 2 of 2018 Zen and Mindfulness Retreat at Deer Park Institute

When you lose touch with this one crucial thing about you, suffering is inevitable. You mistake who you are, and get caught up in life’s misery—birth, old age, sickness, and death. Also, key teachings of Buddhism, expressed in contrasting expressions such as nirvana/samsara, form/formless, this shore/the other shore, will simply confuse you.

What is that “one thing”? Ven. Yamashita calls it our double-structured nature. Understanding it is the first step out of the confusion surrounding yourself and the teachings of Buddhism.

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