Spokane Buddhist Temple

The June 2026 edition of the Spokane Buddhist Temple newsletter is here. Please CLICK HERE to download your copy:
https://tinyurl.com/SBTNewsletterJune2026

Happy reading!
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The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.

🌸 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺
“𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿”

Most of us do not enjoy being criticized.

Even when the words are gentle, something inside us can tighten. We may feel misunderstood, embarrassed, defensive, or hurt. Sometimes the criticism feels unfair. Sometimes it is delivered without kindness. And sometimes, perhaps most painfully, there may be some truth in it.

In learning to work with our anger, we’re invited to look more deeply at what happens when we are criticized. The issue is not only what another person says. The deeper question is, what happens inside our own mind when we hear it?

The Buddha taught about the danger of the second arrow. The first arrow is the painful thing that happens. Someone says something that hurts us. We feel the sting.

But then we often shoot ourselves with a second arrow.

We replay the words.

We defend ourselves in our mind.

We imagine what we should have said.

We add a third arrow, a fourth arrow, a fifth arrow, until the original pain becomes much heavier than the first wound.

This is where practice begins.

The ego will naturally try to defend itself. It wants to be seen as good, capable, kind, intelligent, or in control. So when criticism comes, the ego often rushes to protect its image.

But if we can pause, even for a moment, we may be able to see the situation from a deeper place.

Is there something here I can learn from?

Was the criticism partly true?

Is this person pointing toward something I have not been willing to see?

And if the criticism is not true, can I let it pass without turning it into another source of suffering?

This does not mean every criticism is accurate. It does not mean harsh words are helpful. But our reaction can still teach us something.

Criticism can reveal where pride is tender, where insecurity is hidden, and where anger is waiting for permission to speak.

May we learn to pause before reaching for the next arrow.

May we receive what helps us grow, and gently release what does not.

Namo Amida Butsu. 🙏
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𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟵:𝟯𝟬, 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠.

Visitors, Families & Kids are ALWAYS welcome.

The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.
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📅 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿:
See all Temple Classes, Meditations, and Events at
SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org/Calendar
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𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
927 S Perry St (in the Perry District)
Spokane, WA 99202
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