Bodhi Leaves Series

This is an audiobook of Bodhi Leaves No. 72, 'The Development of the Will' and 'Perfection of Energy' found in the Pariyatti Edition of Collected Bodhi Leaves Vol. III as well as at Buddhist Publication Society as a free eBook download. Excerpt from The Development of Will by Wladyslaw Misiewicz No force in the human system can be properly used unless it is rightly directed. As the will is the only factor in man that has the power to direct or control, a thorough development of the will becomes absolutely necessary in order to have a clear understanding of its application under every circumstance. From Perfection of Energy by Shantideva Having become patient [through practising the Perfection of Forbearance], one should cultivate energetic effort; for it is by effort that Enlightenment is gained. Just as there is no movement without wind, there is no performance of merit without energy.

Excerpt from An Exhortation by Ayya Khema Self-identification with one’s state of being is the great trap. So we must first become aware of the props we use to maintain who we think we are. It begins with: “I’m a woman” or “I’m a man.” There’s strong identification. There’s strong support for the ego, for that “I am” is the ego itself talking. Next we identify with our abilities and our knowledge. “This is what I can do” and “This is what I know.” Two further strong supports for the ego. Excerpt from Self-image or Self-knowledge? Let go of all self-images, of all ideations, of all hopes and plans. Then you can dwell in this particular moment—and no one can take that away from you. It can’t disappear, or be broken, or get lost. It just is. Security lies in the simple fact that in essence one has nothing and one is nothing.

This is an audiobook of Bodhi Leaves No. 131, 'Of Mindsets and Monkeypots (And Other Essays)' as published by Buddhist Publication Society's in print (1993) and in as an eBook (2014).

The Elimination of Anger, by Ven. K. Piyatissa Thera is a helpful manual highlighting methods that the Buddha taught to help understand and deal with anger. It also contains two stories retold from Buddhist texts, The Reviler and The Anger-eating Demon.

Clinging is the greatest possessiveness and attachment we have. As long as we cling we cannot see reality. We cannot see reality because clinging is in the way. Clinging colours whatever we believe to be true. Now it is not possible to say “all right, I’ll stop clinging.” We can’t do that. The process of taking the “me” apart, of not believing any more that this is one whole, is a gradual one. But if meditation has any benefit and success, it must show that first of all there is mind and there is body. If we really want to get rid of suffering, completely and totally, then clinging has to go. The spiritual path is never one of achievement; it is always one of letting go. The more we let go, the more there is empty and open space for us to see reality. Because what we let go of is no longer there, there is the possibility of just moving without clinging to the results of the movement. As long as we cling to the results of what we do, as long as we cling to the results of what we think, we are bound, we are hemmed in.

The Healing of the Bull is part of the Bodhi Leaves series, published by the Buddhist Publication Society in Sri Lanka. These are very small booklets on a wide range of topics. It is a short story of an abused bull, who tells his story to a wise elephant and gets advice on the nature of his problems, and the way out of them from a turtle. The story is about letting go of hatred and aversion and the clinging to security, which allows one to be peaceful.

This Bodhi Leaf by Ajahn Brahmavamso (Ajahn Brahm) is an essay on the path, and the qualities, that lead to Nibbana. Ajahn Brahm is a senior Western monk of the Forest Tradition who lives and teaches in Australia.

Kapuri, the she-elephant, noticed that a new dog, or rather, a new dam, had come into the temple premises. There were, of course, two canines residing there already, Kalu and Sudu. When the new dam walked in, somewhat timidly at first, Kapuri noticed that Sudu became greatly agitated. She growled and snarled and barked to no end at the newcomer, despite the latter's gentle demeanour, and even tried to attack her. The newcomer, whose name was Sukhi, settled herself down with great composure and decorum under the Bo tree. "Please go away," she told Sudu when Sudu came up to her, barking all the while. "I have only come here to meditate." "So they all say at the start," Sudu said, snarling. "I know all those tricks and tactics. But once they have a toehold here, they begin to behave as if they own the place. Be off with you! There's no room for the likes of you here." "Who says so?" Kalu asked, coming up to them. "Who says there's no room?"