As practitioners on the Path To Enlightenment, we begin by contemplating the three universal truths of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self. Once we understand these fundamental aspects of existence, we can turn our attention to the Four Noble Truths, which provide us with a clear and concise understanding of the nature of suffering and how toContinue reading “Cultivating a Righteous View: An Introduction to The Four Noble Truths”
Author Archives: Nicholas Gerace 5D - Upstate New York
Beyond Delusion: Unveiling the Three Universal Truths
The first of the Three Universal Truths is “Anicca,” a term that can be translated to “impermanence” in English. As per the Pali Canon, everything in the world apart from Enlightenment and the Natural Laws of Existence undergoes constant changes, and nothing remains static. This includes our thoughts, feelings, physical experiences, circumstances and situations. InContinue reading “Beyond Delusion: Unveiling the Three Universal Truths”
Belt Ranks and Stages of Enlightenment: An Exploration of Two Different Progression Systems
“The journey towards enlightenment and the path towards mastery in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu share many similarities. Both require discipline, dedication, and a willingness to overcome obstacles and challenges along the way. In both cases, progress is measured in stages or ranks, each representing a higher level of understanding and skill. The first stage of enlightenmentContinue reading “Belt Ranks and Stages of Enlightenment: An Exploration of Two Different Progression Systems”
A Foreign Policy of Freedom: Promoting Peace and Friendship in Our World
Greetings Dear Friends It is my honor to share with you the principles of a foreign policy of freedom, based on universal values that apply to all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. To convey these principles, I will draw upon the teachings of wise leaders throughout history, who spoke in clear and simpleContinue reading “A Foreign Policy of Freedom: Promoting Peace and Friendship in Our World”
Five Facts Regarding Life’s Fragility and Our True Inheritance
Have you ever thought about the impermanence of all things? About the fact that everything around us is constantly changing, arising, and fading away? This universal truth, along with the fragility of life and the absence of a permanent self, is at the core of Buddhist philosophy and can be a powerful source of insightContinue reading “Five Facts Regarding Life’s Fragility and Our True Inheritance”
Existence…This is said to be Existence
5.10 Continuation With attachment (clinging) as condition: continuation (existence) is said. What is continuation? Existence. There are three kinds. Which three? They are as follows: – continuation in the sense-sphere, – continuation in the luminous form-sphere, – continuation in the formless-sphere. **Herein, what is continuation in the SENSE-SPHERE existence? This is the Kamma-world (also knownContinue reading “Existence…This is said to be Existence”
The Eightfold Path is The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment
Do you find yourself struggling with negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, anger, or boredom? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us deal with these difficult mental states on a regular basis, but what if there was a way to eliminate them and find lasting inner peace? That’s where the teachings of the BuddhaContinue reading “The Eightfold Path is The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment”
The Five Hindrances are Eliminated with The Seven Factors of Enlightenment
These five hindrances are makers of blindness, causing lack of vision, causing lack of knowledge, detrimental to wisdom, leading to discontentedness, leading away from Enlightenment. What five? (1) The hindrance of sensual desire is a maker of blindness … (2) The hindrance of ill will … (3) The hindrance of complacency … (4) The hindranceContinue reading “The Five Hindrances are Eliminated with The Seven Factors of Enlightenment”
Some Interesting Things Learned in The Kingdom of Thailand
1. They have a king, his name is Rama 10. 2 With 43,000 Temples it is the Theravada Buddhism capital of the world. 3. Its land mass is a little smaller than the size of Texas. 4. There are two types of monastic orders, Dhamma-yuts and Dhamma-guys. One are the forest monks and the otherContinue reading “Some Interesting Things Learned in The Kingdom of Thailand”
Mindfulness: Staying Connected in a World Full of Distractions
Mindfulness: Staying Connected in a World Full of Distractions When every action on social media results in a series of pings from our phones, it’s easy to forget about the world surrounding us. Without meaning to, it’s easy to slip into a pattern where the details of everyday life are washed away. Mindfulness is aContinue reading “Mindfulness: Staying Connected in a World Full of Distractions”
Nicholas Gerace 