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Six Subjects of Reflection (and a short lesson on P?li)
This post is a bit different; it's a 'back to basics' in a way and hopefully a helpful and quick introduction to Buddhism for those who could use it.
Anguttara Nikaya 6.9
Subjects of Recollection (as translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi)
"Bhikkhus, there are these six subjects of recollection. Show More Summary
Turning Buddhism upside down
There is no scriptural warrant for arguing the Buddha denied, categorically, the self or âtman. Peter Harvey, recognizes this fact also who writes that “the early sources used by the Theravada are bereft of any such explicit denial. The idea...
Meaningful Life
Lama Govinda, whose book The Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism is the definitive book on the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, and certainly one of the most important modern books about Buddhist practice, wrote this in another of his works, In...Show More Summary
Life, Death And Bukit Brown
Driving along the Pan-island Freeway near Thomson Rd is one of the few hints that it is there. Elsewhere it is obscured by homes, shops and yet more roads and freeways. Bukit Brown is the largest cemetery in Singapore and since it was...Show More Summary
Video: Help Plum Village community plant “Seeds of Mindfulness”
We told you last year about Planting Seeds, a documentary produced by Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village community and the group at Peace is the Way films to teach children about mindfulness. The film uses animation, songs, stories and engaging activities that children, parents and teachers can use. The film is currently in post-production, and the [...]
Dharma Connect: Metta Gets On Your Vagus Nerve
A new study finds that lovingkindness meditation makes your vagus nerve more responsive. That's meaningful because it is involved in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immune responses.
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How to Live on Planet Earth: Poets and fans remember Nanao Sakaki
By Steve Silberman Friday night, in celebration of his new book of collected poems “How to Live on Planet Earth,” the San Francisco Poetry Center and Green Arcade Books hosted a tribute to Nanao Sakaki in a mattress factory. The event featured Gary Snyder, Michael McClure, Joanne Kyger, Patricia Wakida, Gary Lawless, Dale Pendell, Malcolm Margolin, [...]
Was Buddhism influenced by the Jains?
Some pop Buddhists are always looking for a way to reject the transcendent in Buddhism, as if the Buddha were just any ordinary person—a kind of ancient Stephen Batchelor. When anything transcendent in the Buddha’s teachings pops up, they cry,...
Crowdfunding The Next Generation of Buddhist Activists: Youth In Action
I am partial to my root teacher, as always. They have a crowd funded project underway to provide hope to the next generation of Engaged Buddhism. Notice the picture of MLK in the background. He nominated a certain Zen Mater for the Nobel Peace Prize in the 1960's. Show More Summary
Miracle tales and being shit free
I came to the opinion a long time ago that religion, in general, is man’s attempt to give meaning to the suffering he eventually finds in life. In short, it’s an attempt to bring a small amount of order out...
“Rebirth” — An excerpt from Chris Lemig’s The Narrow Way: A Memoir of Coming Out, Getting Clean and Finding Buddha
Even at twelve, Chris Lemig knew he was gay — he just didn’t want to believe it. Spurred on by intolerance, ignorance, and fear, he took his first steps into the closet, and so began twenty-three years of drinking, drugs, and attempted suicides. Finally, after being victimized in a hate crime, Chris knew it was [...]
Check Out My New Interview with Scholars William Whittington and Vicki Callahan about Buddhism, Film and Social Justice at My Patheos Blog
Over at my Patheos blog Off the Cushion, I have posted a new interview with my friends William Whittington and Vicki Callahan, professors at the University of Southern California’s School for the Cinematic Arts. In it, we discuss the intersection of Buddhism, film, and social justice. You can read it here. I met Vicki (who […]
Mothers Are Sentient Beings Too
Traditional Buddhist teachings tell us that we should love all beings because -- over the course of many lifetimes -- everyone has been your mother in one of them. In traditional Buddhist southeast Asian cultures, this is a valid metaphor...Show More Summary
Dharma Connect: Uphigh//Inbrite
A tale told by one of my teachers Karen Salmonsahn,who put this slide from her book Enough Damnit during a recent webinar presentation I took this morning.
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Opera about Richard Wagner to be performed in Pali
The Welsh National Opera is set to perform Wagner Dream, an opera composed by the late Jonathan Harvey, partly in the ancient Indian language Pali. Wagner Dream explores Richard Wagner’s interest in Buddhism showing Wagner on his deathbed lamenting his unfinished Buddhist opera, and having a dream in which he’s visited by the Buddha and [...]
Women and Self-Care
Gender generalizations make me uneasy. But after practicing psychotherapy for many years with women from diverse racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds, there’s one that is unfortunately consistent: most women struggle with genuine self-care.
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Only if You Beg Me, Brahma
The Pali text titled “The Dialogue with Prince Bodhi” contains a description by the Buddha of his path to awakening.
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From The Under 35 Project: “And then you find your essence…”
“They tell me that this is a story of courage,” writes Sarah Lipton. “For me, it is a story that has been waiting to be shared for seven years.” It’s the suddenness of the breeze that takes my breath away. Environmentally, I awaken, grasping that my dance of life is not separate from the dance [...]
China the Unbeautiful
The photo on the right is of the roof of Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, founded by King Songtsan Gampo in 642. Atisha, the famous Buddhist master, taught there in the 11th century. The temple is considered the most sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism, a key destination for Buddhist pilgrims who journey to the capitol. Show More Summary
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