The Art of Zen Living

When I moved back to my apartment, there was an ant pile out next to the sidewalk right where my parking space used to be. I found it REALLY irritating. I’d notice it every time I was out there, and I’d kick it over sometimes, or drop water on it if I was adding water to my car, and I didn’t bother watching where I walked unless there were a LOT of ants out, and only then to avoid getting bit myself.

Some days, it would set my mood for the drive, or for the next several hours.

Then I accepted the first precept: I will avoid taking life.

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“Happiness arises from the timely company of friends.
Happiness arises from having few needs.
Happiness arises from accumulated virtue at life’s end.
Happiness arises from seeing beyond suffering.”
- Dhammapada verse 331

I have been both fortunate and challenged as I’ve started trying to learn about Buddhism.

Fortunate, because about a week into it, I came across the Urban Dharma website, and found a series of wonderful podcasts from Ven. Kusala Bhikshu.

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