How to Listen To Dharma Talk
I. I Hear:
When I listen to Dharma talk, I touch the three Jewels in me:
_ I open my heart so the Dharma talk can touch the Buddha within me thus waking up the seeds of Compassion and Understanding in me.
_ I value the Dharma talk that’s being transmitted to me. These words came from the Buddha and are spoken here on behalf of the Buddha to the benefits of all beings.
_ I ‘m grateful to this Sangha and this speaker; both help me practice the lesson being taught. Their support and experience are valuable to my practice. I’m filled with gratitude for this opportunity to be here and now and to have a chance to learn and grow my Compassion and Understanding.
II. I Contemplate:
I can’t learn if my mind is too full right this moment:
When my mind is occupied by the past or lost in the future, it’s full and no learning is possible for me. I must free myself from other worldly worries and concentrate on this moment; only then can my practice gains from this experience.
I’m practicing the listening quality:
When I listen, I’m practicing the listening quality of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara: I listen without prejudice, criticism, and comparison. I listen for what’s being said and also what’s left unsaid. I listen also to the noises in my mind that compete to distract me.
I’m open to listen as if it will alter my life in a significant way:
To fully benefit from this Dharma talk, I must listen to it not only from an open mind but also from an open heart. I must be open to receive this Dharma talk as if it can change my life significantly. This is the risk I’m willing to take because I’m not holding on to what’s mine in a way that excludes all teachings. To approach this Dharma talk in this manner frees my mind from all attachments and allows me peace of mind.
III. I Practice:
I listen as I would listen to the Buddha himself:
I value the words spoken here as if I’m listening to the Buddha himself. I’m not attached to the personality, charisma, identity, or any other personal specifics of the speaker; rather, I respect the speaker as a teacher and value his contribution to my practice.
I listen and grasp the main idea of the talk:
When I listen, I follow the ideas and the examples of the Dharma talk and try to relate to other ideas and examples previously mentioned. I try to tie the ideas together so I can arrive at the main ideas of the talk. Also the speaker’s knowledge, skillfulness in developing ideas and making the speech interesting will benefit me in my speeches.
I free my mind from distractions to get ready:
If I have an event or a thought that may burden my mind and thus prevent me from being with this Dharma talk, I need to get rid of such burdens. I do that by sharing them with someone, preferably close to me, and complete my thought about it. Once completed, the thoughts will not bother me any longer.
I listen with all my mind and heart.
I open myself for change, growth, and repentance:
I have an issue or a situation in my life in which I can use a breakthrough. I’m listening to this Dharma talk with the intention to transform this issue or situation. I seek to apply what I learn today to improve my life and the relationship I have with other people. I may even solidify this commitment by sharing it with people because the more people acknowledge my effort, the more firm I become with this commitment.
Sơ Thiện
2. Đức Phật A-Di-Đà
A-Di-Đà Buddha (Amitabha)
3. Đức Quán Thế Âm Bồ Tát
Quán-Thế-Âm (Bodhisattva)
4. Sáu Phép Hòa Kính
The Six Rules of Harmony
7. Bốn Nhiếp Pháp
The Four Assistant Methods
8. Hiểu và Thuộc Nghi Thức Thông Thường
Understand and Remember The Common Ceremony
9. Ý Nghĩa Cờ Phật Giáo
The Meaning Of The Buddhist Flag
10. Người Nông Dân Phản Bội
The Disloyal Peasant
11. Con Khỉ Có Lòng Từ Bi
The Great-Hearted Monkey
13. Nghệ Thuật Nghe Pháp Thoại
How To Listen To Dharma Talk
14. Hạnh Lắng Nghe
Listening Quality
15. Chữ Hiếu Trong Đạo Phật
Being A Pious Buddhist To My Parents