Episode One - Dharma Roads

In this first episode I explain what the word 'dharma' usually means in Buddhism and why the podcast is titled, 'Dharma Roads.' I suggest that there are many roads to wisdom and peace and that in the twenty-first century we have access to a global storehouse of teachings and traditions. What is important is that we learn from these teachings and traditions in order to transform our daily lives into a dharma road of peace, compassion and understanding.

Transcript

EPISODE ONE – DHARMA ROADS

There are many roads to wisdom and peace. In the twenty-first century it is possible for those citizens of the globe who have access to the internet to draw on the largest library and storehouse of knowledge that has ever been available to humanity. It is possible for many of us to learn about the beliefs, values and cultural practices of the world’s religious and philosophical traditions while sitting in our own home. This wealth of written, spoken and demonstrated knowledge can be accessed through Google searches, an almost infinite array of audio and video recordings, and texts. While none of these can take the place of experiential learning - particularly the intensive practice of skills and methods developed by the different traditions – this great storehouse of teachings can enrich and deepen our understanding and help us to find our way. 

 While we each have to walk our own road - no-one else can walk it for us - it is good to know that others have walked along similar paths, have stumbled as we have, have experienced the beauty and joy of walking through familiar and unfamiliar territory, have occasionally lost their way as we no doubt will, and have shared some of their experiences in ways that enable us to learn from them. 

 In Buddhism, the body of teachings developed by the Buddha and his successors, in all the varied traditions and schools of Buddhism, is known as the dharma. The dharma consists of many pathways of wisdom, compassion and alleviation of suffering. To these ancient Buddhist dharma roads, we can now add knowledge, insights and practices drawn from other sources of wisdom and wellbeing. So long as they help us to alleviate suffering, and to be peaceful and kind to ourselves and to others, these other roads of wisdom can be seen as developing a more open, fluid and inclusive dharma.

  The many dharma roads enable us to cope with life’s ups and downs, with the difficulties and sorrows that we encounter from day-to-day and year-to-year. However, it is important to remember that, in relation to the dharma, the road itself is a road of awakening. The road is where learning takes place. Rather than seeing the road only as a means of getting to a destination – be that enlightenment, nirvana or some other state of transcendent ‘freedom’ – there is great wisdom in waking up to, and being mindful of, this road we are on, here and now, right where we are. This road, our day-to-day journey, is what matters. If we think of the journey we take, step-by-step, as only a humdrum way of escaping to another place, we will always be looking towards the horizon, never noticing and being at peace with where we are. For it is only by noticing and examining where we are, being present each step of the way, that we can transform our daily lives into a dharma road of peace, compassion and understanding.

 The writings, audio and video recordings, and the living presence of any of the world’s teachers, can be useful in providing guidance, sustenance and support as we make our way from day to day. Being open to advice, example and beauty, wherever we encounter it, can be an important part of our development as human beings – learning as we go – growing in knowledge and understanding. As we walk our path, it is important to question what we encounter. Is what we read, or watch, or listen to, helpful to us - does it enable us to reduce suffering, in our own lives and that of other beings? Or does it increase our dissatisfaction, our anxiety and our pain? When we evaluate what we read, watch or listen to, we need to keep these questions in mind.

 The road, the journey, our everyday life, is what matters. To walk a dharma road is to walk a path of wisdom, peace and kindness – and to manifest these qualities as we go along. In Zen the practice of zazen, sitting meditation, includes not just what is done in the zendo, or meditation hall, but every activity that is done throughout the day. When undertaken in a mindful, caring and non-grasping manner, whatever we are doing becomes Zen practice: cleaning teeth, washing dishes, gardening, shopping, walking, standing, sitting and lying down - these are as important to the practice of awakening as are formal meditation or chanting sutras. This is how we can wake up to this amazing life – to the wonderful process of living, being conscious, being here. Doing these things with full attention - being awake to each moment without being attached to each moment - is to manifest our Buddha Nature or Zen Mind.