I'm still not sure what a thumb nail is. I see opinions on it, very often tbh. I imagine there being a visibility to our own fingernails somehow. Just sharing this here, instead of going through the usual process of contemplation and inspection.

​@@alexwelts2553its the image that represents a given video in the 'feed' (i.e. the list of recommended videos youtube gives you) and entices you to click

Certainly the Buddha talked of past lives also not out of curiosity but to explain a present predicament or problem for someone. For example why someone was blind in this life etc. It is said that upon his awakening he saw the past lives and future lives not only of himself but of all beings. So, past lives is definitely a thing in Buddhism. Karma is very much front and central in the teachings and the Wheel of Life is all about how karma works. But we must remember that it is not that 'I' am reincarnated but the effects of past causes and it is in this way that he taught karma. To know that certain actions of body, speech and mind produce certain effects and that we had better be careful how we act. If we read the Satipatthana sutra which contains the Buddha's instructions for practice he does not investigate past lives but we do investigate motivations for our actions. (When a monk is angry he knows his heart it angry). That effect (anger in the heart) is a result of past actions and that is what is important to know because future results will be dependent upon what happens to that anger. If it flows into action then the seeds of future suffering continue to be laid down. If it is not acted upon then that particular lineage of action-result is stopped. Thus it is not past lives in the reincarnation sense rather the components of the effects from past actions that are important.

@@thezengateway8578 💙🤍❤

Certainly, karma is front and central to the Buddha's teachings. As mentioned in another reply to a comment on this talk, the Wheel of Life is all about karma and rebirth. And you are quite right Buddhism requires us to take on board a specific understanding of karma that the Buddha taught in order to make sense of the practice of Buddhism. The 'old chestnut' was a throwaway line, as I'm sure you understand because I get asked often about past lives, that is reincarnation, and karma. It was this that was the cause of my exasperation. Personally, I do accept past lives as well as future lives, but this is not central to the practice of Buddhism. It is so, that the Buddha talked about past and future lives and it is clear from the scriptures that knowledge of them accompanied insight as the arhats were said to have knowledge of them. However, the Buddha did not teach that they had to be investigated in order to walk the way. What was necessary was the awareness of the motivations of the heart and discernment of skilful and unskilful actions as it is these actions that are determinate of future being both in this life and future incarnations.

@@thezengateway8578 Thank you so much for replying and I do understand your exasperation and I think your reply is insightful and pertinent. Thank you. Past lives and reincarnation is only the opening of the door. Thank you again for taking the time to reply to me.

Hello, thank you for bringing this to our attention, in this case it was not intentional. While some of our videos are clipped intentionally, they contain a link to the full version in the description. I have provided a link to the full talk below. Dominic www.thezengateway.com/talks/master-sessan-s-three-tips-for-zen-training

Glad it was helpful!

Hello, thank you for your comment. I would suggest maybe listening to Martin's talk again if you can, it might be worth reflecting on who the prisoner is but also who is the one keeping him in prison. Best

Best wishes for your journey. There is the old Chinese saying that a journey of a thousand miles starts from right under one's feet.

True we didn't, in my experience not many people can sit in the full lotus well. Most use either half lotus or Burmese position or kneeling. Maybe there is another video there? We didn't want to make this one too long. The eyes are, I would argue, better half closed so as not to to drift off to sleep.