Welcome to True Dharma International

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Category: What is TDIBM?

Published on Friday, 13 January 2012 17:48

Written by Frank Tedesco

Ehi passiko means "come and see"

Scrutinize, analyze and test the Dharma for yourself.

The True Dharma International Buddhist Mission is an educational and humanitarian service organization devoted to the cultivation of wisdom and the practice of loving kindness and compassion. This web site is a partial reflection of TDIBM areas of concerns, research and social action. We invite serious, spiritual seekers to share their share journeys on what we call "the emerging path of True Dharma, Universal Good Action". "True Dharma" being the "Truth" or "Emptiness" or "Reality" or "True Self", "Undifferentiated Aesthetic Continuum", the "Cloud of Unknowing",...Quantum Schmantum, whatever you want or do not want to call "it". "Universal Good Action" means aspiring to selfless, intelligent, reflective yet effective service for humans, animals, places, the environment, the planet.

"To awaken and save all sentient beings" is the vow of bodhisattvas- "enlightening ones". It's an ideal goal, a direction, a spontaneous reflex, to skillfully ease the suffering of others with insight into "the way things are". A touch, a word, a meal, a job, a check- all these and more are the means by which enlightening beings do "True Dharma" work.

 We are fortunate to be able to study the cultural permutations of Buddhism in all its evolving manifestations in this lifetime. We study the teachings in the spirit of critical inquiry as advised in the Kalama Sutta, questioning religious scriptures, institutions, authorities and personal opinions, even our own. To avoid harming others, to do good, to purify our mind and hearts with kindness and honesty is wise advice. To be open yet discerning, nobody's fool. To be generous and patient. To act kindly. This is what we call "True Dharma".