Category Archives: Meditation
Creating Peace By Letting Go
When speaking of emptiness there seems to be a distorted sense of what that term means. It often comes across as some incredibly deep metaphysical reality separate from the day-to-day humdrum of modern ‘civilized’ being. It’s an easy belief to … Continue reading
Fear Is Born From Arming Oneself.
A life filled with negativity is not created by bad luck or circumstances. It is created by a negative mind and beliefs. This mindset and belief was created by conditioning and habits of thinking both conscious and unconscious. If you … Continue reading
Living With Fools
Asevana ca balanam panditanañca sevana, “Don’t associate with fools. Associate only with wise people.” “Fools” are people whose minds and actions are unskillful and “evil”. They are unskillful in their actions – killing, stealing, having careless sex – and unskillful … Continue reading
What Is Mindfulness?
What is mindfulness and what does it mean to you? Mindfulness is a shift in the way we pay attention. During that subtle shift our entire world can transform from the inside out. When it comes to mindfulness there is … Continue reading
Clergy and Sensei Training Program — Updated
Hongaku Institute for Buddhist Studies Hongaku Jōdo Compassionate Lotus Tendai Lineage (HJCL) Clergy and Sensei Training Program Seminary Information: Basic Clergy and Sensei Training Program Shaku Mui Shin Shi Ajari and Staff Ordination and Sensei Training introduces basic concepts of Pure Land, … Continue reading
Rational Amidism, Modes of Existence
In the past I was able to teach the Buddha’s Dharma throughout the day without ever mentioning him or using a Pali or Sanskrit word. I’ve given up on that. Once the Buddha is taken out of the equation people … Continue reading
The Tip of a Needle
Life, personhood, pleasure and pain — This is all that’s bound together In a single mental event — A moment that quickly takes place. Even the spirits who endure For eighty-four thousand eons — Even these do not live the … Continue reading
Going Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors
Illumination or Elimination Many people who go to a formal meditation retreat want to get something. That something might be relaxation, stress relief, a sense of community, simple silence or even some kind of illumination leading to special insight. There … Continue reading
Fists Full of Sand 