Category Archives: Pure Land Buddhism
Leader or Guide?
Upali lived during the time of Buddha and was the follower of another religion and went to the Buddha in order to argue with him and try to convert him. But after talking to the Buddha, he was so impressed that he decided … Continue reading
My Buddha Can Beat Up Your Buddha
Contemporary Pure Land Buddhism has come under much scholarly critique over the past two to three decades. This is especially true of the Japanese Jōdo and Jōdo Shinshū presentations. In fact, the entirety of the model of populist Buddhism in … Continue reading
No One Is Perfect, Nor Can They Be
In a conversation with an aged Brahmin, the Buddha once explained concisely what a Buddha, an enlightened one, means: What has to be known, that I have known (the five aggregates); What has to be abandoned, that I have abandoned; … Continue reading
The Matrix of Practice
Dengyo Daishi once wrote, “A devout believer in the Buddha’s Law who is also a wise man is truly obliged to point out to his students any false doctrines, even though they are principles of his own sect. He must … Continue reading
Faith In the Way
We are empirical and finite beings, we are confined to a bubble of sense perceptions and our existence is limited to time and space. Pursuit of truth starts with our encounter with a sense of the transcendent and the infinite, … Continue reading
Avoiding Poison
The recent bombings and increased activities of religious extremists have provoked a myriad of responses, both rational and irrational. In the United States people of power tend to react instead of responding. The reaction is normally superficial and immature. They … 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
Rational Amidism: Prayer
I am often asked if Buddhists, any Buddhist, believe in a Supreme Being analogous to the Western God. My answer is always, “No, we don’t. If any sect proclaims an original anything then they are not Buddhist.” Clearly, belief in … 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
Fists Full of Sand 