The Three Characteristics and Emptiness | June 18, 2024

Recorded at Insight Meditation Satsang
Online, June 18, 2024
DESCRIPTION
We pivot away from immediate politics and back toward investigating the teachings at the heart of questions of engagement and social action. Over the next weeks I will look at some of the origins of the bodhisattva ideal, weave in some of the Perfection of Wisdom material, and make our way toward contemporary expressions of the Mahāyāna as Engaged Buddhism. Tonight we'll start with the foundational orientation toward emptiness, which is the hinge on which the entire Mahāyāna swings. We do a meditation on momentary arising, and explore the three characteristics, early ideas of emptiness, and just touch the beginning of Nāgārjuna's Root Verses on the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā).
Text referenced: Siderits & Katsura, Nāgārjuna's Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) (Boston, Wisdom), 2013. wisdomexperience.org/product/...
Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on Emptiness (MN 121): suttacentral.net/mn121/en/suj...
SEAN OAKES
Sean Feit Oakes, PhD (he/they, queer, Puerto Rican & English, living on Pomo ancestral land in Northern California), teaches Buddhism and somatic practice focusing on the integration of meditation, trauma resolution, and social justice. He received Insight Meditation teaching authorization from Jack Kornfield, and wrote his dissertation on extraordinary states in Buddhist meditation and experimental dance. Sean holds certifications in Somatic Experiencing (SEP, assistant), and Yoga (E-RYT 500, YACEP), and teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, East Bay Meditation Center, Insight Timer, and elsewhere.
LINKS
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GIVING
All of Dr. Oakes’ independent teaching is offered on the model of Gift Economy, in the Buddhist tradition of dāna, inspired giving. Support of our teaching and community is gratefully received. Thank you for your generosity.
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Blessings on your path.