The idea behind Karma Calendar is that every day, by completing a karmically beneficial task, one can take small but meaningful steps toward an inherent Buddha nature, and a more peaceful and compassionate way of life.

Centuries ago, Siddhartha Guatama spent his young adulthood seeking a solution to the suffering that seemed to be apparent everywhere (duhkha). Eventually, Siddhartha came to realize complete insight into the cause of suffering and the steps necessary to eliminate it. He went on to teach this formula in the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma as the Four Noble Truths (seeing clearly) and the Noble Eightfold Path (a practical guide). Together, these methods can reveal one’s inner Bodhi nature of love and compassion, and provide relief from suffering. 

Every task in the Karma Calendar is for the good of the practitioner as well as the greater universe, and directed in one aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path - The Middle Way {first picture}
Like the string on a lute, neither too tight nor too loose.

The Noble Eightfold Path is a practical guide to understanding reality “as it is” and therefore to the cessation of suffering. It is a program of practice, not an intellectual endeavor. These aspects are integrated and meant to be practiced symbiotically.  

1.    Right Understanding is to see and understand phenomena (reality) as it really is. This begins with a clear understanding of the Four Noble Truths.  

2.    Right Intention is harnessing and cultivating one’s will in an ethical direction for the improvement of all beings.

3.    Right Speech acknowledges the power of our words to influence reality. This means to abstain from lies and deceitfulness, slander, offending others, and idle chatter that lacks purpose. 

4.    Right Action refers to using our bodies in a honest and respectful way (which leads to sound states of mind). This means to abstain from intentionally doing harm, taking life, stealing and dishonesty in all its forms, and sexual misconduct.

5.    Right Livelihood  addresses the way in which one earns wealth. It means that one should earn a living honestly, legally, peacefully, and respectfully. 

6.    Right Effort concerns one’s state of mind when exerting will. Misguided mental energy will lead to confusion and more suffering whereas clear and wholesome motivation will inspire peace. 

7.    Right Mindfulness directs our attention to the ways in which our mind can blur reality through a lens of conceptualization and interpretation. Right Mindfulness calls for clarity in the way we see our minds working so that we may direct the mind, instead of the mind directing us.

8.    Right Concentration is singularly focusing the mind on something through the practice of meditation. The purpose of practicing this concentration is to be able to readily generate this wholesomeness in everyday situations. 

The Four Noble Truths {second picture}

1.    Suffering does exist (in Birth, Aging, Illness, and Death; in Form, Sensation, Perception, Impulses, and Discursive Mind)

2.    Suffering arises from attachment to desires (Craving and Aversion)

3.    Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases (there is an end to Suffering)

4.    Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path (Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

Buddha of the Six Perfections {third picture}
The artwork we use on the cover of our Karma Calendars

The children of CTAS hand-painted the traditional Buddhist artwork featured on the cover of our calendar. Buddha of the Six Perfections shows Shakyamuni Buddha in the customary vajra asana (Lotus Pose), performing Bhumi-sparsha mudra (the “gesture of touching the earth”). 

These six creatures surrounding the Buddha represent

The 'Six Perfections' of the Enlightened Mind: