Listening: The Buddhist Practice Hiding in Plain Sight
A photo of three women sitting on a bench overlooking the ocean engaging in conversation.
“How rare and wondrous it is to have been born into human life, and now I live it. How rare and wondrous it is to be able to listen to the Buddha-Dharma, and now I am able to hear it. If I do not transcend the world of delusion in this life, when will I ever attain spiritual liberation? May I, along with the entire Sangha, with sincere heart and mind, rely on that which can be truly relied on in life – the Three Treasures.” (Shin Buddhist Service Book, page 10.)
One of the greatest gifts for a Buddhist is the Dharma (the Buddhist teachings). As the quote above said, how rare and wondrous it is to hear the Dharma. When I reflect on my own spiritual journey, I can’t help but feel lucky. I wasn’t born into a Buddhist family and yet I still was exposed to the Dharma at a young age. Throughout my years, I’ve come to realize the deep and profound affect the Dharma has had on my life. And it started with one particular practice.
There are many schools of Buddhism each with their own practices, chants, meditation styles, and sutras. But there is one universal and fundamental practices that spans all of Buddhism and that is listening. We don’t often think of listening as a Buddhist practice and may not even thinking about the act of listening in general.
In school we learn reading, writing, math, but never listening. I was never given a listening comprehension test. That leads me to wonder, how different would life be if we were taught to listen at a young age? We would probably daydream less. Probably spend less time formulating our reply. We wouldn’t be waiting for the other person to pause so we could jump in with our thoughts. In today’s high-tech world, our attention spans are less and it’s even more challenging to focus for any length of time. But there is hope! We can start small and build on this skill into a habit and a Buddhist practice. Let’s go back to the beginning of Buddhism.
Buddhism has historically been an oral tradition. People would gather to listen, to discuss, and to ask questions of the Buddha or his disciples. A community (sangha) would come together for the Dharma. Listening became a community event, an immersive experience. We might think of it like going to the movies. During the show, we laugh together, are frightened together, and we all jump when there’s a surprise. At home on the couch there isn’t the same level of excitement and togetherness. Odds are we aren’t watching the movie at home with the same attention as we would if we were at the theater. We also know if we miss part of the movie, we can always watch it again later.
How can we, as modern-day practitioners, approach listening to the Dharma? Rennyo gives us guidance on page 18, #27 of the Service Book:
“From the standpoint of endowed trust, one should listen to the teaching as if for the first time, even though it has been heard before. People want to hear new and interesting things all the time, but no matter how often one listens to the teaching, one should hear it as if it were a rare, first occasion.”
When we listen this way, on the edge of our seats, leaning in, the message soaks in and perfumes the mind. It takes hold in our hearts, and it becomes a part of us. Listening is no longer something we must do, but something we approach with enthusiasm. In the eightfold path this is “Right Effort” (also referred to as Right Diligence or Right Vitality). Listening is woven into Buddhist path and for good reason.
This habit of listening helps us understand the Dharma and embody the teachings. The Dharma becomes a part of us and shapes how we see the world. Not only that, but the practice of listening goes beyond the temple walls too and into our everyday lives. Think of how deep listening can have a positive impact on our relationships. How can we develop deep listening skills?
The “Origins | Deep Listening - An Essential Skill” course explore the importance of listening as Buddhist practice. In the video series, Jon Sensei shares how we can develop this skill. Remember small changes can be the start of a habit that grows with time, so lean in, be curious, and truly listen to understand rather than respond.
Thanks for listening!
Namo Amida Butsu
Andi Dean
