Recorded at Insight Meditation Satsang
Online,
July 16, 2024
DESCRIPTION
We did a longer Q&R before the talk tonight, so it’s a bit shorter, but we pick up a theme from the text—The Perfection of Wisdom in 8000 Lines—around the merit generated by studying this wisdom, and unpack why venerating the text—which points to the wisdom faculty – opening to which awakens beings, i.e. gives birth to Buddhas – which makes wisdom a mother goddess—is more generating of merit, blessing, and protection than even devotion to Buddhas and their relics.
We talked a bit about this body of teaching being the root of the later Tantras, which use mantra (esoteric language) and visualization (esoteric imagination) as their primary technologies. Because all phenomena are empty, including language and image, our two modes of representation and description, reality can be created and manipulated in subtle ways using these esoteric gestures. And I mentioned scholar Donald Lopez’s work on the Heart [of The Perfection of Wisdom] Sūtra, or dharanī (magic spell), as a protection spell.
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
Website: seanfeitoakes.com
Community Page: In It To End It
YouTube channel: In It To End It
Spirit Rock: spiritrock.org/teachers/sean-oakes
Insight Timer: insighttimer.com/seanoakes
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.