Living in a Grateful World - To Me

Some things I'm grateful for:

Three weeks of mild summer weather and some rain! (I live in Australia in a time of severe drought.)

People I can email and ask "Can you help me with some work?" and always get a "Yes" in response.

Strong coffee that I finally drink black! (Okay I still add sugar...)

Having had parents who encouraged me to choose my own path and who were always there for me. A father who taught me about integrity and honesty, and to have a strong work ethic. A mother who taught me about humility and being grateful, and the importance of laughter and the magic of a smile.

Having found the best practice for me—Pure Land Buddhism. Having found the best life for me—being a Buddhist nun.

Chanting "Amituofo"

Comments

[Sue K]

A Happy New 2010 to all those Down Under and around the world!
Peace.

[Kristine]

Happy New Year Venerable!! We are thankful for you!-and all you give to us and others to make our lives more meaningful and mindful.
Love and Peace
Alexzandra and Kristine

[Sue K]

The tradition here is to come up with New Years Resolutions. It is estimated over half of the people do not keep them for a full month. I would say a lot of the resolutions are related to the 5 main Precepts in some way.

Is there a review or reaffirming to the precepts on a regular basis in the Buddhist tradition? As a Nun do you have to reaffirm the 227 Precepts on an annual basis?

I was watching a lecture on the internet which basically said, "If you mess up on one of the Precepts, reaffirm it and move forward." It was not a Pure Land lecture, so I was curious as to the way this is handled for you.

My apologies to more advanced practitioners for asking such a basic question.

[Venerable Wuling]

When you fail to keep a precept, you try to determine why and how to do better the next rime. You can also remind yourself why you're dong all this to motivate yourself to try harder.

Repeating vows is important. The three refuges are often said during practice sessions. The vow for rebirth is often said in practice sessions by Pure Land Buddhists.

Monastics often take the monastic precepts during monthly ceremonies. Other monastics take other approaches to self-improvement. Depends on school and teacher.