LORD Buddha Jayanti:

When we visited Lumbini, by his Birth site there was sign of 5 Yamas – Similar to Yamas of Patanjali YOGA Sutra. 1. Ahmisha, 2. Satya, 3. Asteya: non-stealing, 4. Brahmacharya and 5^th one was different to best of my recollection:   Avoidance of Drugs, instead of Aparigraha: non-hoarding. May be in those days, that must be the major issue.  If U visit Nepal, it is worth visiting Lumbini and JanakPur.  Esp. in Lumbini, allow a couple of days, as they have major exhibitions from other Buddhist countries, such as Japan, Sri Lanka .....

We have Dharma Chakra of Buddhism on our Bharat's Flag, with 8 spokes, representing Eightfold Paths. 

Right Mindfulness:

While Right Effort is a very easy concept for most of us, Right Mindfulness is somewhat trickier to grasp, and may involve quite a change of thinking.

I suggest that you take a short break, stand up and walk (or cruise if you are mobile) around the room or house, and then come back here before reading on.

Right Mindfulness means being aware of the moment, and being focused in that moment. When we travel somewhere, we are hearing noises, seeing buildings, trees, advertising, feeling the movement, thinking of those we left behind, thinking of our destination. So it is with most moments of our lives.

Right Mindfulness asks us to be aware of the journey at that moment, and to be clear and undistracted at that moment. Right Mindfulness is closely linked with meditation and forms the basis of meditation.

Right Mindfulness is not an attempt to exclude the world, in fact, the opposite. Right Mindfulness asks us to be aware of the moment, and of our actions at that moment. By being aware, we are able to see how old patterns and habits control us. In this awareness, we may see how fears of possible futures limit our present actions.

Now, having read this, try the same walk as before but with a focused mind, which now concentrates only on the action of the walking. Observe your thoughts before reading on.

Sometimes you may be absorbed in what you are doing. Music, art, sport can trigger these moments. Have you ever done anything where your mind is only with that activity? At that moment, you are mindful, and the Buddha showed how to integrate that awareness into our everyday lives.

Right Concentration:  Meditation ..

Once the mind is uncluttered, it may then be concentrated to achieve whatever is desired. Right Concentration is turning the mind to focus on an object, such as a flower, or a lit candle, or a concept such as loving compassion. This forms the next part of the meditation process.

Right concentration implies that we select worthy directions for the concentration of the mind, although everything in nature, beautiful and ugly, may be useful for concentration. At deeper levels, no object or concept may be necessary for further development.

The benefits of Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration are significant as they teach the mind to see things, not as we are conditioned to seeing them, but as they really are. At the same time, they also lead to a feeling of calm and peace with the world. By being in the moment and being able to concentrate effectively, a sense of joy in the moment is felt. Release from the control of past pains and future mind games takes us closer to freedom from suffering.

If U R interested in furthering your Knowledge on Buddhism:  Here is the Link

https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_central_belief_of_Buddhism

Their main Mantra is "OM Mani Padme Hum OM"! 

When we went to Kailas in 2004:  you can hear this all over from Khatmandu thru China ...

Must Listen .......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjJbXMq5sdI

Compiled by Sudhir Parikh of SATSANG Center and Nataraja YOGA Center.  May 15^th 2019. 

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