What is Dharma?

Dear Valencia

Thank you for your question. As a new person to the Dharma, you can start by taking refuge in the three jewels (i.e., Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) and avoiding 10 non-virtues (i.e., killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive talk, harsh talk, Idle talk, Craving/ coveting, Ill-will, wrong views). In addition, you can also consider to take 8 Mahayana precepts on auspicious days and vegetarian vows (temporary or permanent).

Do read more about the benefits of taking vows:

Vows: The Roots of All Attainments

In addition to the above, you can start doing your daily practice of Lama Tsongkhapa and protector Dorje Shugden consistently to tap into their enormous blessing.

Do read this article on how to start Dorje Shugden practice:

Starting on Dorje Shugden’s Practice

And the prayer to Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga – Gaden Lhagyama

Tsongkhapa Prayers

To learn more about the meaning behind Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga teaching, you can click the following link:

TRANSCRIPT – Guru Yoga Teaching

My best wishes for your practice.

Valentina

Hi Valentina,

I am interested with this discussion. What is the definition of idle talk?

Thank you.

Dear Beatrix

Thank you for your question. The followings are the definition of idle chatter from various sources:

Idle chatter is words that are “spoken with no purposeful intent at all” According to Thanissaro Bhikkhu

“The Noble Eightfold Path” by Vet. Bhikku Bodhi (P. 48-49) defines idle chatter as “pointless talk, speech that lacks purpose or depth. Such speech communicates nothing of value, but only stirs up the defilements in one’s own mind and in others.”

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in his book, the Joyful Path of Good Fortune page 244 that “there are many ways of engaging in idle chatter. For example, we can just utter everything that comes into our head. We can talk with no purpose or without any sense of responsibility. Any talking that is mindless or of no real benefit is idle chatter.” In addition, Geshe Kelsang also mentioned that “idle chatter can also be non-verbal.” such as reading romance or fantasy novels.

Although Idle chatter is not so severe in negativity, if we engage with it too much, then, it wastes our time and can become obstacles to our Dharma practice. Therefore, it is advisable to not engage in idle chatter.

Valentina