Exploring the Island of Self and the Role of Dharma

Welcome to episode 89 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.

In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino look at one of the foundational teachings of Buddhism: the Three Jewels – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. 

The Buddha is the teacher who, through his own direct experience, found the path to liberation from suffering. The Dharma refers to the teachings and practices that lead to awakening. The Sangha is the community that supports and transmits the Dharma.

Their conversation emphasizes the Sangha’s importance as the community that keeps the Buddha’s teachings alive and relevant; the need for communities rooted in the Dharma, with clear practices and guidelines to provide refuge and support spiritual transformation; and more.

As usual, the hosts provide examples from their own experiences, as well as stories by or involving Thich Nhat Hanh.

Enjoy!

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Co-produced by the Plum Village App:
https://plumvillage.app/ 

And Global Optimism:
https://globaloptimism.com/

With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:
https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/

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List of resources

Donate to support Plum Village’s reconstruction 
https://plumvillage.org/donate

Interbeing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing  

Sister Chan Khong
https://plumvillage.org/about/sister-chan-khong

Sister Chan Duc
https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-chan-duc 

Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals 1962-1966
https://plumvillage.org/books/1998-neo-ve-cua-y-fragrant-palm-leaves

Nalanda mahavihara
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda_mahavihara 

Buddhahood
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood

Dharma Talks: ‘The Five Skandhas of Grasping and Non-Self​’
https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/the-five-skandhas-of-grasping-and-non-self%E2%80%8B-dharma-talk-by-br-phap-lai-2018-06-08

Old Path White Clouds
https://plumvillage.org/books/old-path-white-clouds-2 

‘The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings’
https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness/the-14-mindfulness-trainings 

Wake Up Network
https://plumvillage.org/community/wake-up-young-practitioners 

Vinaya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinaya

The Hermit and the Well
https://plumvillage.org/books/hermit-and-the-well

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Quotes

“When we talk about the first jewel, the Buddha, we have to understand that each and every one of us has Buddha nature.” 

“Where’s my Buddha nature? My Buddha nature is my mindfulness shining in, shining out, shining near, shining far.” 

“The relationship between teacher and student is companionship on the path. If a teacher understands that his true belonging and his true continuation is his students, then he would do everything in his, her, or their capacity to transmit their wisdom. So the Buddha Jewel is to acknowledge that this tradition has a root teacher. And it comes from direct experience and embraces and embodies the awakened nature that each and every one of us has. A good teacher, a good Buddha, can allow us to touch our Buddha nature.” 

“Buddhism doesn’t mean ignoring your own traditional religious roots. And, as it’s not considered a religion, that Buddha nature can exist alongside your religious history. So if you’re Jewish or Christian, you don’t need to say, ‘Oh, I’m a Buddhist’; you can continue with your own traditions. And Thay said that it’s so important to stay rooted in your traditions, because that is your individual ancestry. And buddhahood doesn’t contradict that, doesn’t overlay it, but actually comes alongside it to support it.” 

“Our faith drives our practice. And our practice and the insights we get from our practice drive our faith.” 

“Buddha nature is ever-growing. It is very organic, it is conditioned.”