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Shakyamuni Mantra - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 2

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 16 May, 2020 - 06:12

Shakyamuni Mantra - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 2

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 16 May, 2020 - 06:12

The central image of this home retreat is based on the story of the Buddha when Mara attacks him with all the weapons he can muster: the Buddha sits in complete peace and openness; the arrows from his opponents drift down around him as flower petals. So you may wish to dwell with that image while chanting the mantra of the historical Buddha – the Shakyamuni mantra. 

Listen to the Shakyamuni Mantra chanted at the Young Buddhist Big One in 2018

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Extra Resource - Dhammadinna's talk - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By kusaladevi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 17:10

Extra Resource - Dhammadinna's talk - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By kusaladevi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 17:10

On day 1, here’s an extra resource - a talk by Dhammadinna, one of the most senior members of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Here she introduces and explores the Mind Training teachings, drawing out their special emphasis; the opportunity to use any difficulties which arise in our lives as a basis for developing Bodhicitta.

Visit the Turning Arrows into Flowers home retreat page​

Listen to the full talk by Dhammadinna here

See all posts on Turning Arrows into Flowers

Bump elbows, say hello!
The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Prajnaketu's Reflections on the Four Reminders - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By Sadayasihi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 11:49

Prajnaketu's Reflections on the Four Reminders - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By Sadayasihi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 11:49

We are delighted to say that this week we will be joined by a team of Young Order members who will be sharing their reflections on the Seven-Point Mind Training material. First up is Prajnaketu, Triratna’s Young Buddhist coordinator. 

Prajnaketu, from sunny Oxford, UK, shares his thoughts on the teaching of the Four Reminders: our precious human birth, death and impermanence, karma and rebirth, and the defects of samsara. Noting that these reflections can be a bit of...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Dedication Ceremony - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By Sadayasihi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 09:48

Dedication Ceremony - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By Sadayasihi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 09:48

Today, day 1, you might like to spend some time figuring out how you are going to take part - how much time do you have, what supports do you need, what is your wish for this retreat. It can be helpful to support this intention with a bit of ritual.

Often on the first night of a retreat this is marked by some kind of ceremony - in our community, this is often done with a Dedication...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Welcome - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By Sadayasihi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 07:52

Welcome - Turning Arrows into Flowers: Day 1

By Sadayasihi on Fri, 15 May, 2020 - 07:52

Globally, the coronavirus and all its implications presents us with an enormous challenge - but how are we responding? With ill-will and aversion, or with curiosity and compassion? Today marks the start of our latest home retreat: Turning Arrows into Flowers - an exploration of the Seven-point Mind Training, where we are learning to cultivate a mind free of blame and reactivity, a mind that is open, kind, interested. By delving into these teachings, facilitated by Yashobodhi, and with personal reflections from...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

Turning Arrows Into Flowers (The Dharma Toolkit Podcast, Episode 26)

By Centre Team on Thu, 14 May, 2020 - 16:17

To mark the start of our Home Retreat on the theme of turning towards difficulties and moving through them well, a great, practical conversation with Yashobodhi about the meditative, reflective work of the Seven-Point Mind Training tradition in Buddhism. 

A mythic image to sum up and symbolize this is that of the Buddha on the cusp of his Enlightenment. He is sitting still at the point when Mara attacks him with all the weapons he can muster. But, as the story...

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The Community Toolkit for Uncertain Times

New Home Retreat: Turning Arrows Into Flowers - Starts Friday!

By Centre Team on Wed, 13 May, 2020 - 22:36

New Home Retreat: Turning Arrows Into Flowers - Starts Friday!

By Centre Team on Wed, 13 May, 2020 - 22:36

Turning Arrows Into Flowers
A Seven-Point Mind Training, May 15-22

A mythic image to sum up and symbolize the theme of this week is that of the Buddha on the cusp of his Enlightenment. He is sitting still at the point when Mara attacks him with all the weapons he can muster. But, as the story goes, even though the Buddha is attacked he does not react with anger, hatred or defensiveness. Instead he sits in complete peace and openness;...

Free Buddhist Audio
Free Buddhist Audio

FBA Podcast: Working With Adversity

By Sadayasihi on Sat, 11 Jan, 2020 - 14:00

When things go wrong in our life we can see them as an obstacle to an ideal spiritual life feel we should be leading. But there’s another way of looking at difficulties, and instead of trying to get rid of difficulties, we could be welcoming them as opportunities. 

Vajratara  draws on the Tibetan Mind Training tradition, as well as the Pali Suttas to examine how we can make adversity our teacher and the ground in which wisdom...

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Free Buddhist Audio

Mind Training - The Alchemy of The Emotions: Highlighted Series

By Sadayasihi on Thu, 6 Jun, 2019 - 10:30

Mind Training can be likened to a form of spiritual alchemy: a magical transmutation of our ordinary lives into gold. These powerful talks from the Sheffield Buddhist Centre provide a series of practical slogans which turn the adverse situations of our day-to-day lives into ideal conditions for spiritual transformation of the mind and emotions. Going beyond concepts, mind training techniques are just as relevant in the crucible of everyday life as they were in 12th century Tibet.

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