I did it, I finally finished it. For years I wanted to write a book about Buddhism, especially Mahayana Buddhism, and each time I struggled to get past a certain point and keep point. Recently while cleaning out some files on the computer, I discovered that in early 2020, during the first months of theContinue reading “My New Buddhism Book!”
Tag Archives: Zen
Every Day Is A Good Day, Kind Of
Soon after I wrote this post, I was reminded of a certain Zen aphorism in Japanese: 日日是好日 which is read as nichi nichi kore kō nichi. This usually translates as “every day is a good day”, or “each day is a good day” or other such things. It is originally attributed to a Chinese ZenContinue reading “Every Day Is A Good Day, Kind Of”
Liturgical Language and Start-up Buddhism
Warning: this is a rant post. Although I have happily taken up with a local Soto Zen group in my area, one of the first challenges I’ve noticed is that the group is probably 99% white, and have little or no knowledge of Japanese culture or language, despite the tradition they’ve inherited. This came intoContinue reading “Liturgical Language and Start-up Buddhism”
Soto Zen Yearly Liturgical Calendar
Hello, Recently, I alluded to joining a local Soto Zen group and deepening my practice there. I am happy to report that after several weeks, I finally decided to formally join the community as a member. Thus, I guess I am now a student of Soto Zen.1 It is kind of exciting to be partContinue reading “Soto Zen Yearly Liturgical Calendar”
Life, Death, Life
Note: I started writing this post way back in December, but have been mulling over it for quite a while. The fact that I post this on the day before Nirvana Day (the death of the Buddha) is serendipity. 😏 The day of my mother-in-law’s 100th day memorial was a very somber day for usContinue reading “Life, Death, Life”
Of Burning Houses and Rain
Here is another wonderful poem (previous posts here and here) by the 11th century Japanese poetess, Lady Izumi (izumi shikibu 和泉式部 in Japanese), that I found in The Ink Dark Moon by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani: Original Japanese Romanization Translation ものをのみ Mono o nomi Should I leave this burning house 思ひの家を Omoi no ieContinue reading “Of Burning Houses and Rain”
Inattention
A while back, I talked about a famous poetess from 11th century Japan named Lady Izumi, one of several famous ladies of the court at that time, but for some reason the one I find most fascinating.1 Lady Izumi was a prolific poet, and I have been reading samples of her poetry compiled in TheContinue reading “Inattention”
The Amitabha Root Dharani
The Amida Nyorai Konpon Dharani (阿弥陀如来根本陀羅尼) or “Amitabha Root Dharani” is a dharani used in some Japanese Buddhist sects, typically only on the Segaki ritual used to feed the hungry ghosts in Buddhism, or possibly funerals and other similar services. It is typically only found in esoteric rituals in Shingon and Tendai Buddhism, but canContinue reading “The Amitabha Root Dharani”
Self-Help Does Not Help
Well, life tends to mitigate against complete commitment, doesn’t it? Count Saint Germain, Castlevania animated series, season 4 With the recent turmoil following my mother-in-law’s passing, life has been disrupted in many ways. All of this is temporary, but it has reminded me of how easily one’s Buddhist practice can slip. Since this started shortlyContinue reading “Self-Help Does Not Help”
Ango, You Go, We All Go
Starting tomorrow, I will be observing the winter Buddhist abstinence called toango (冬安居) until January 15th, or the full 90 days. This is the Japanese-Buddhist version of the ancient rains retreat in India, though the term ango is primarily used in a Zen context. In that Zen context, it is usually a time of moreContinue reading “Ango, You Go, We All Go”
Gleanings in Buddha-Fields 