RAM APPALARAJU
It has always been an honor and privilege to be part of the Insight Meditation Center (IMC) community. I’m very grateful to be in the IMC sangha and I’m inspired by contributions from and each and everyone in the sangha. As a community we have benefited immensely from Dharma teachings, access to Dharma teachers and opportunity to practice with the teachers at IMC, IRC and off late at various off-site locations. As the Buddha describes in the Maha Mangala Sutta (Sutta of Highest Blessing, Sutta Nipata 2.4),
‘Respectfulness and being of humble ways,
Contentment and gratitude,
And hearing the Dhamma frequently taught.
These are the highest blessings.’
Experiencing the blessing allows for living a life full of gratitude and contentment. I’m also very much drawn to a frequent refrain from Buddhist teachings on our practice, particularly that the benefit from the practice to all. As Buddha often said,
“A wise person is motivated to
benefit oneself,
others, and
both self and others, and
the world!”
The Buddhist teachings emphasize mutual benefit by recognizing that no one exists in isolation. Compassion, ethical action, and wisdom guides us toward actions that uplift both self and others. My experience in the Buddhist path, particularly as a chaplain allowed me to realize that true well-being comes not from selfish gain, but from fostering a world where all beings can thrive together.
The idea behind Insight World Aid is to integrate with our practice to cultivate a heart of
kindness and compassion to take good care of ourselves as well as to understand
suffering experienced by others and meaningfully engage to serve to ease the pain.
The organization founded by Gil Fronsdal, Jeff Hardin and many others has set the tone for sharing of benefits as an organization. I also love the way Gil has expressed in
“Sharing of Benefits” the interconnected nature of our practice and opportunity to be in
the midst of giving and receiving with a peaceful heart.
Sharing of Benefits
~ Gil Fronsdal
We practice within a wheel of giving and receiving.
May we keep this Dharma wheel turning to benefit all beings.
With whatever benefits we receive from practice,
May these serve us to benefit others.
With whatever benefits we receive from others,
May we receive them so we can benefit others as well.
May we give so we can receive, receive so we can give.
May we share our goodness with others.
May we share our goodness with ourselves.
May we receive the goodness of others.
May we receive our own goodness.
May we be the still point in the center of the wheel,
Free from the turning, free to support the turning
Always allowing giving and receiving to roll on peacefully.
Buddhist teachings emphasize that true joy arises from serving others. When actions
stem from compassion rather than obligation, service becomes a natural expression of
one’s inner peace and fulfillment.
Buddhist practice nurtures a heart of service by dissolving self-centeredness, fostering
deep compassion, and encouraging mindful engagement with the world. As one progresses on the path, service becomes not just an act but a way of being—rooted in love, wisdom, and the understanding that helping others is ultimately helping oneself. In this spirit, Buddhism offers a profound way to cultivate a life devoted to the well-being of all.