Engaged Buddhists

Blog Posts Across Engaged Buddhists

Dharmakara The First Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice of bestowing joyfulness? These Bodhisattvas are the great masters of giving who are able to bestow everything with equanimity of mind. Without stinginess or regret, without expecting any reward, without seeking any praise and without desire for profit, they only give in order to rescue and safeguard all living beings, accept and embrace all living beings, and abundantly benefit all living beings. They only give in order to: - Study and learn the or… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Second Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice of abundant benefits? These Bodhisattvas protect and embrace the precepts of moral purity. Their minds are without attachments to visions, voices, fragrance, flavors or contacts. They also teach this to living beings. They do not seek majestic powers, social status, riches, appearances, or royal ranks. They are without attachments in any of these things. They only strongly embrace the precepts of moral purity and make this thought: "I embrace the p… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Third Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice that is without agitation? These Bodhisattvas always cultivate endurance and forbearance in the spirituality of the Dharma with humility and reverent respect. They do not harm themselves, others or both, they do not take from themselves, others or both, and they are not attached to themselves, others or both. Not greedily seeking fame or profit, they only make this thought: "I must always teach the Dharma in order to free living beings from that wh… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Fourth Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice of irrepressibility? This is the Bodhisattva’s cultivation of the various kinds of diligence. This is the highest diligence, the greatest diligence, the superior diligence, the superlative diligence, the most wonderful diligence, the most excellent diligence, the supreme diligence, the unequalled diligence, and the omnipresent diligence. These Bodhisattvas have a spiritual nature that without the three poisons of greed, hatred and stupidity, and is… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Fifth Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice of freedom from disorder and confusion? These Bodhisattvas realize Proper Mindfulness (Presence of Mind). They are not distracted or disturbed. They are strong, firm and steadfast, pure of heart --- broadminded, generous, and without confusion or delusion. By means of Proper Mindfulness they skillfully understand all the words and language of the world and are able to embrace the words and teachings about the spirituality that is beyond the world. T… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Sixth Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice of spiritual presence? The actions of these Bodhisattvas are all pure in thought, word and deed. They abide in them with nothing to gain, and reveal that they have nothing to gain through their thoughts, words and deeds. They are able to understand that their thoughts, words and deeds do not exist in any place. In being without false designs, they are without any binds and fetters. They are revealed to be devoid of any nature of self and depend upon… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Seventh Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice that is without attachments? With a mind of non-attachment, these Bodhisattvas are able to enter into the countless worlds and adorn and purify these worlds with each and every thought. The mind is without attachments to these worlds. They are able to go and visit the countless Ones That Have Come who are there, reverently worshipping them and offering serving to them with countless blossoms, fragrances, chaplets, fragrant paints and oils, clothes a… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Eighth Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice that is difficult to attain? These Bodhisattvas realize the good spiritual roots that are difficult to attain. These spiritual roots are unassailable, indestructible, unsurpassable, inconceivable, and inexhaustible. They are the spiritual roots that bestow the power of mastery and great majestic virtue. They are the spiritual roots that are of the same nature as those of the Buddhas. When these Bodhisattvas cultivate their practice they will attain… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Ninth Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva's practice of manifesting Dharma? These Bodhisattvas create a clear, cool reservoir of spirituality for all the gods, humans, devils, sramaneras (ascetics), brahmans (priests), gandharvas and others that live in this world. In accepting and embracing the True Dharma, they do not cut off the lineage of enlightenment. - Because they attain the Dharani of pure brilliance, they teach the Dharma and bestow prophecies with inexhaustible eloquence - Because they at… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Dharmakara The Tenth Practice of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva

What is the Bodhisattva Mahasattva’s practice of absolute reality? These Bodhisattvas realize the highest significance of speech. They are able to practice in accordance with what they teach and they are able to teach in accordance with what they practice. These Bodhisattvas study the absolutely real speech of the Buddhas of the past, present and future, enter into their lineage, and share their good spiritual roots and non-dual speech. With their training being in accordance with that of The O… Continue

Posted by Dharmakara on August 14, 2008 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Konchok Jangchup Dorje Ngakpa Ordination

I took another step on my Buddhist spiritual path. Last Thursday night I was ordained a ngakpa called "Ngakchang Konchok Jangchup Dorje." Since several of us had taken refuge only days before, Venerable Lama Sonam was apparently merciful enough not to change our newly received names. However, the level of commitment is no less demanding. The Ngakchang path is less well known than the monastic path, but its "vows" or root samayas, although fewer in number than the precepts for monastics are very… Continue

Posted by Konchok Jangchup Dorje on August 14, 2008 at 3:21am — No Comments

Konchok Jangchup Dorje Taking Refuge

Monday night of last week I had the powerful experience of "coming home" when I "took refuge" in the Three Gems of Buddhism within the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. I am now officially a Buddhist with the name: Konchok Jangchup Dorje, "Three Jewels of Buddha Vajra." I don't know how long I will have that name, because I will be taking Ngakpa Ordination in three days at which time I may receive yet another name. Nevertheless, I have returned to the spiritual path that I followed cent… Continue

Posted by Konchok Jangchup Dorje on August 14, 2008 at 3:18am — No Comments

Samten Dorje Chapter Four Attending to the Spirit of Awakening

1. Thus, upon firmly adopting the spirit of awakening, a child of the Jinas should always vigilantly strive not to neglect his training. 2. Although one has made a commitment, it is appropriate to reconsider whether or not to do that which has been rashly undertaken and has not been well considered. 3. But shall I discard that which has been examined by the sagacious Buddhas and their children, as well as by myself according to the best of my abilities? 4. If, upon making such a promise, I do… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on July 14, 2008 at 8:52pm — No Comments

Samten Dorje Chapter Three Adopting the Spirit of Awakening

1. I happily rejoice in the virtue of all sentient beings, which relieves the suffering of the miserable states of existence. May those who suffer dwell in happiness! 2. I rejoice in sentient beings’ liberation from the suffering of the cycle of existence, and I rejoice in the Protectors’ Bodhisattva Hood and Buddhahood. 3. I rejoice in the teachers’ oceanic expressions of the spirit of awakening, which delight and benefit all sentient beings. 4. With the folded hands I beseech the Fully Awak… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on July 14, 2008 at 8:32pm — No Comments

Andrea Grand Opening of New KB Store

A variety of holistic therapies & vitamins for your pet & family from PetAlive.com, naturaleco.com and nativeremedies.com as well as the ability to buy stocks from one particular company brought to you from oneshare.com (starts on page 7). There is also a mind, body & spirit directory chock full of excellent resources. All this from one convenient location. Just use the link below ..... http://www.geocities.com/ldydanu9/My_KB_Store.html Continue

Posted by Andrea on July 3, 2008 at 2:13pm — No Comments

Ryan Vong Byodo Temple

This beautiful Buddhist temple is a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In located in Uji, Japan. It is located in one of the most peaceful locations in O'ahu - the Valley of the Temples. The valley is situated against a back-drop of tall cliffs and is landscaped with traditional lush Japanese gardens and koi ponds. Inside the Byodo-In Temple is a nine-foot Lotus Buddha. Outside is a thre… Continue

Posted by Ryan Vong on June 29, 2008 at 11:15pm — No Comments

Samten Dorje Bodhicaryavatara Chapter Two

The Confession of Negativities 1. In order to adopt that jewel of the mind, I make offerings to the Tathágatas, to the stainless jewel of the sublime Dharma, and to the children of the Buddhas, who are oceans of excellent qualities. 2. As many flowers, fruits, and medicinal herbs as there are, and as many jewels as there are in the world, and clear and pleasant waters, 3. Jeweled mountains, forested regions, and other delightful and solitary places, vines shining with the ornaments of lovely… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on June 8, 2008 at 1:46am — No Comments

Samten Dorje The Bodhisattva Path, A Working Model for Engaged Buddhism -

There is a lot of talk these days about Engaged Buddhism, but what does it really mean to us as practitioners? Some times it seems to be quite vague or not much more than being a "green/eco" Buddhist. I think if we really look into the Buddhas teachings we can see that the Bodhisattva Path is a much more focused, complete and not to mention workable model than the hit and miss ideas floating around these days as “Engaged Buddhism”. It seems that popular Engaged Buddhism lacks a path and has a li… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on June 8, 2008 at 12:03am — 1 Comment

Samsara Domestic Violence is a Crime! Remember you are not alone......

Did you know that 3 in 5 women are victims of Domestic Violence? Did you know that every 20 minutes someone will die has a result of Domestic Violence? Don't suffer in silence, silence hurts too! You can do something about it. If you are a victim and want to end the suffering, there a… Continue

Posted by Samsara on May 24, 2008 at 11:07am — No Comments

Samsara Realising that you are a victim of Domestic Violence.

Does your partner or 'X' - Tell you you're worthless or crazy? - Act jealously or think that they own you? - Push, slap, kick or bite you? - Threatens to hurt you or your children? - Force you to have sex? - Tell you that the violence is your fault? - Balme alcohol and drugs f… Continue

Posted by Samsara on May 24, 2008 at 11:03am — No Comments

Samten Dorje The King of Prayers, The Prayer of ways High and Sublime - By Samantabhadra Bodhisattva from the Avatamsaka Sutra

The King of Prayers The Prayer of ways High and Sublime I bow down to the youthful Arya Manjushri! O lions amongst humans, Buddhas past, present and future, To as many of you as exist in the ten directions I bow down with my body, speech and mind. On waves of strength of this king… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on May 16, 2008 at 10:57pm — No Comments

Samten Dorje Eight Verses on Thought Transformation - by Geshé Langri and commentary by HH Dalai Lama

I shall now read and explain briefly one of the most important texts on thought transformation, Lojong Tsigyema (Eight Verses on Thought Transformation). It was composed by Geshé Langri Tangba, who was a very unusual bodhisattva. I myself read it daily and received the transmiss… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on May 16, 2008 at 10:01pm — No Comments

Samten Dorje Opening the Dhamma Eye - Ven Ajahn Chah

Some of us start to practice, and even after a year or two, still don’t know what’s what. We are still unsure of the practice. When we’re still unsure, we don’t see that every thing around us is purely Dhamma, and so we turn to teachings from the Ajahns. But actually, when we know our o… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on May 15, 2008 at 4:00am — No Comments

Samten Dorje Compassion and the Individual - Tenzin Gyatso; The Fourteenth Dalai Lama

The purpose of life ONE GREAT QUESTION underlies our experience, whether we think about it consciously or not: What is the purpose of life? I have considered this question and would like to share my thoughts in the hope that they may be of direct, practical benefit to th… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on May 15, 2008 at 2:55am — No Comments

Samten Dorje The Sheltering Tree of Interdependence: Buddhist Monks Reflections on Ecological Responsibility - HH Dalai Lama

During the course of my extensive travelling to countries across the world, rich and poor, East and West, I have seen people reveling in pleasure, and people suffering. The advancement of science and technology seems to have achieved little more than linear, numerical improvement; development often means little more than more mansions in more cities. As a result, the ecological balance- the very basis of our life on earth- has been greatly affected. On the other hand, in days gone by, the peopl… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on May 15, 2008 at 2:33am — No Comments

Samten Dorje Breakthrough Sermon - Ch'an Master Boddhidharma

Student: If someone is determined to reach enlightenment, what is the most essential method he can practice? Bodhidharma: The most essential method, which includes all other methods, is beholding the mind. Student: But how can one method include all others? Bodhidharma: The mind is… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on May 13, 2008 at 8:13am — 1 Comment

Samten Dorje The Medicine of Altruism - HH Dalai Lama

In Tibet we say that many illness can be cured by the one medicine of love and compassion. These qualities are the ultimate source of human happiness, and need for them lies at the very core of our being. Unfortunately, love and compassion have been omitted from too many spheres of social interaction for too long. Usually confined to family and home, their practice in public life is considered impractical, even naive. This is tragic. In my view point, the practice of compassion is not just a sym… Continue

Posted by Samten Dorje on May 12, 2008 at 3:23am — No Comments

Zi Zhui To be Perfect

According to Buddhism for a man to be perfect there are two qualities that he should develop equally: compassion on one side, and wisdom on the other. Here compassion represents love, charity, kindness, tolerance and such noble qualities on the emotional side, or qualities of the heart, while wisdom would stand for the intellectual side or the qualities of the mind. If one develops only the emotional neglecting the intellectual, one may become a good-hearted fool; while to develop only the intel… Continue

Posted by Zi Zhui on April 29, 2008 at 10:31pm — No Comments

Ryan Vong Olympic Torch - San Francisco

The Olympic torch has finally made it to the Bay Area. I've decided to stay put in San Jose and not join the large crowds gathering. There has been too much violence following the torch around the world, and the anger is growing. I believe in the cause of the Tibetan people, but can not protest in anger. We need to changes minds through peaceful means, and I pray that everyone is safe today. Amitofu

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Posted by Ryan Vong on April 9, 2008 at 1:46pm — No Comments

David Crofts Munro Poem: On The Guarded Procession of Olympic Fire

Water canons Balloons And hose pipes. Snubbing out the torch And lifting my foot From the depression of skulls. I stand back Soaking wet. The rain falls sportingly And in my name That people shall be free. Continue

Posted by David Crofts Munro on April 7, 2008 at 11:00am — No Comments

David Crofts Munro Poem: On Dreaming of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa

On Dreaming of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa The Karmapa Young in his sunny robes Offered to me a daffodil Petal by petal As he peeled away at the trumpet Telling me that each slice My ignorance to behold Freeing the bulb My essential nature Now Bare Continue

Posted by David Crofts Munro on April 4, 2008 at 4:00pm — 3 Comments

Samsara 'Washing dishes to wash dishes.' from The miracle of mindfullness By Thich Nhat Hanh.

Hi everyone, I read this passage and it inspired me, so I wanted to share it with you. Please read and contemplate. I hope you can all see the meaning behind it. Love, light and Godbless, Samsara xxx The Essential Discipline - Washing dishes to wash dish… Continue

Posted by Samsara on March 27, 2008 at 7:32am — 4 Comments

bcl 什麼是息增懷誅的最高成就 - 偉大的 頂果欽哲仁波切如是說~

Another popularly circulated words of wisdom in the net: 什麼是息增懷誅的最高成就 偉大的 頂果欽哲仁波切如是說~ 當陽光照在水晶上，會現出許多顏色的彩光， 但並沒有任何實物可以抓取。 同樣地，各式各樣的念頭── 虔誠心、悲心、惡意、慾望 ──完全沒有實體， 這就是觀世音菩薩的心。 沒有一個念頭不是空性。 如果在念頭生起的剎那能了知念頭的空性， 念頭就會消失， 愛執及怨恨永遠不能擾亂你的心， 煩惱會自行崩解，惡業不會累積， 也就沒有隨後的痛苦。 這就是四種事業中的第一個 ──『息災』的最高成就。 如果你修行身、語、意的瑜伽， 不受念頭所縛， 此時觀世音菩薩的慈悲和你本具的佛性 便開始接合而融為一體。 禪定的覺受將伴隨著虔誠和悲心而增長， 如同陽光透過放大鏡聚焦而增強力量。 這就是第二事業──『增益』的最高成就。 一旦你明白輪迴和涅磐的一切現象都只是 心的造作，心的本性是空性時， 那麼要把不淨觀轉化為淨觀就不成問題 ──所有現象本具清淨地揭顯。 一般而言， 這種… Continue

Posted by bcl on March 22, 2008 at 7:26am — No Comments

bcl Sharing - Everyday Life. Article II 智慧卻永遠填補不了道德的空白

Another article friends shared in email circulation - Smartness and Integrity 前些天，在一個名為《財富人生》的電視訪談節目中，嘉賓是一位當今頗具知名度的青年企業家，當節目漸近尾聲時，按照慣例，主持人提出最後一個問題 ： 「你認為事業成功的最關鍵品質是什麼？」 沉思片刻之後，他並沒有直接回答，而是平靜地敘述了這樣一段故事： 十二年前，有一個小伙子剛畢業就去了法國，開始了半工半讀的留學生活。 漸漸地，他發現當地的車站幾乎都是開放式的，不設檢票口，也沒有檢票員 ; 甚至連隨機性的抽查都非常少。憑著自己的聰明勁，他精確地估算了這樣一個概率 ── 逃票而被查到的比例大約僅為萬分之三。 他為自己的這個發現而沾沾自喜，從此之後，他便經常逃票上車。他還找到了一個寬慰自己的理由：自己還是窮學生嘛，能省一點是一點。 四年過去了，名牌大學的金字招牌和優秀的學業成績讓他充滿自信，他開始頻頻地進入巴黎一些跨國公司的大門，躊躇滿志地推銷自己。 然而，結局卻是他始料不及的，這些公司都是先對他熱情有加，然而數日之後，卻又都是婉言… Continue

Posted by bcl on March 22, 2008 at 7:14am — No Comments

Denise Buddhist Meditation

The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions. If we t… Continue

Posted by Denise on March 21, 2008 at 11:55am — No Comments

Denise Buddhist Quote of the Day 21st March 2008

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Posted by Denise on March 21, 2008 at 11:50am — No Comments

Denise Daily Inspiration for the 21st March 2008

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Posted by Denise on March 21, 2008 at 11:47am — No Comments

Denise Self-Examination At Depth

There are times when life urges us to seek more. Small changes to our comfort zone may fail to alleviate any sense of stagnancy or frustration, and we may need to examine our lives and ourselves more deeply to find the right place to start. Everything we… Continue

Posted by Denise on March 21, 2008 at 11:38am — No Comments

Denise Balance

Like pieces of a puzzle, the many different aspects of your being come together to form the person that you are. You work and play, rest and expend energy, commune with your body and soul, exalt in joy, and feel sorrow. Balance is the state that you achieve when… Continue

Posted by Denise on March 21, 2008 at 11:34am — No Comments

Ben Le The end is the beginning is the end

An era has ended, and another begins. We have left the temple that brought us together, so that we can climb out the box, think open, create something greater. It is not easy, but no-one said it would be. There are many changes, now and in the future. The way we do things will change. Where we do it has changed. Right now we are all scattered, doing different things in different places, fro one purpose. Continue

Posted by Ben Le on March 20, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

bcl Sharing - Everyday Life

Real life stories to remind us of our conscience to live life fair and right by ourselves and by others. How often have we erred and caused others life-long grief and pain. Articles circulated in emails: Article 1. 冤獄 曾在書上看過這樣一個真實的故事： 在澳洲，費力與他的合夥人佐治在墨爾本做出入口生意，賺了很多錢。有一天，費力發覺銀行戶口的帳目不對勁，一大筆應收款項不但沒有存進去，剩餘的錢反而被取走了，他在吃驚之餘，急忙尋找佐治，但佐治卻失蹤了。 正當他憂懼不安時，佐治的妻帶來警察，將費力帶回查問，說他有殺害佐治的嫌疑。這樁謀殺案經過長期審訊後判費力有罪，因為找不到屍體而判以誤殺，刑期20年。 費力坐了20年牢之後，終於被放出來，他出獄後，用盡一切辦法尋找佐治，終於，他找到了，原來佐治一直躲在南非。佐治當年失蹤，原是帶著情人捲款潛逃，他背叛事業上的合夥人，又趁… Continue

Posted by bcl on March 20, 2008 at 7:01pm — No Comments

Denise Ghandi on War and Peace

The following is taken from a speech by Gandhi. Every single one of us would do well to live by this creed. Active Force The non-violence of my conception is a more active and more real fighting against wickedness than retaliation whose very nature is to increase wickedness. I contemplate a mental and, therefore, a mora…

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Posted by Denise on March 16, 2008 at 6:58pm — No Comments

Denise Daily Inspiration for the 17th of March 2008

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Posted by Denise on March 16, 2008 at 6:57pm — No Comments

Denise Buddhist Quote of the Day 17th March 2008

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Posted by Denise on March 16, 2008 at 6:56pm — No Comments

Lin Mu What is your daily practice ?

What is your daily practice ? I have been thinking about my daily routine. What I could add, or delete, to gain more compassion for myself and others. I do sit every morning, yet recently I find this a bit stale. Taking the vow of the three jewels, filling the time, sitting just to sit. I also spend a lot of time each day on the bus, (I gave up my car a few years ago), and use my ridding time to practice Meta .... gently placing my attention on each fellow passenger, silently wishing them freed… Continue

Posted by Lin Mu on March 16, 2008 at 1:32am — No Comments

Lin Mu A short excerpt of a book in progress.

Please Visit My "Ning" page http://rebelliondogs.ning.com/ TAKING REFUGE So empty of what? Learning to put on a monks robe in the heat of northern Thailand. Being the butt of all the jokes, and at least a foot taller than all the other young novices. Eating fire, sitting till my knees broke. Waking before dawn. Wanting it so bad. I thought this was cool. The sitting was the best part, we were equals when our butts were planted on the cushions. Working around the temple, sweeping, cleaning, t… Continue

Posted by Lin Mu on March 13, 2008 at 6:30pm — 1 Comment

Denise The Real Meaning Of Peace

"In the name of the God who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are." "There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artist… Continue

Posted by Denise on March 13, 2008 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Denise Daily Inspiration for the 14th of March 2008

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Posted by Denise on March 13, 2008 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Denise Inner Peace Philosophy (How Deliberate Creators Propogate Peace)

1. You'll know that you are Deliberately Creating Peace when... you feel guided to take your focus off the external world. Deliberate Creators know that we are, at all moments, creating our future. Some of us are doing this creating 'deliberately' w… Continue

Posted by Denise on March 13, 2008 at 5:30pm — 1 Comment

Denise Buddhist Quote of the Day 14th March 2008

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Posted by Denise on March 13, 2008 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Zi Zhui An Affirmation of the Bodhisattva Way of Life

Preamble The principle that there is no distinction between doctrine and practice constitutes the basis of all Buddhist thought, no matter how much it may be lost in sectarian Buddhist ideas. The Buddhist spiritual experience will reveal itself neither to the scholar nor to the conversationalist, but only to the man or woman who makes the central conceptions of Buddhist thought the basis of their mental activity, the subject of their deepest meditation, and the foundation of all their act… Continue

Posted by Zi Zhui on March 5, 2008 at 4:30am — 1 Comment

Zi Zhui A Buddhist Constitution

More than 600 years before the British had their Magna Carta and more than a thousand years before the US Constitution a Japanese Prince (a Buddhist practitioner) drafted a constitution. Prince Shôtoku's Seventeen-Article Constitution C.E. 604, Summer, 4th Month, 3rd day. The Prince Imperial Shôtoku in person prepared laws for the first time. There were seventeen clauses, as follows: 1. Harmony should be valued and quarrels should be avoided. Everyone has his biases, and few men… Continue

Posted by Zi Zhui on March 2, 2008 at 9:48pm — No Comments

Zi Zhui The Buddhist Life

"Every place is hallowed ground, Every day is a good day, Every act is worship, Waking or sleeping, Dead or alive." (source unknown) "Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: It transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural and spritual; and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity". -Albert Einstein I"f the… Continue

Posted by Zi Zhui on March 2, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Ben Le Nothing happens without a cause.

Yesterday one of Master Hui Re's students posted a very interesting post on our African Pureland Blog (http://dharmainafrica.blogspot.com/2008/02/what-is-african-buddhism.html) It addresses a very important question: What is African Buddhism? If we, as a hopeful African sangha want to develop the Dharma on this breathtaking continent, we need to know what we're doing, and why. Nothing happens without a cause. If we are just groping in the dark, we can expect nothing but muffled shuffling noises… Continue

Posted by Ben Le on February 22, 2008 at 1:07am — 1 Comment

Koshin Paley Ellison Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program

Applications for the 2008/9 Training Program are being accepted. September 2008 to June 2009 As Buddhist spiritual practice finds an increasing presence within American society, there is both an opportunity and a need to train Buddhis… Continue

Posted by Koshin Paley Ellison on February 16, 2008 at 7:00am — No Comments

Ryan Vong Pangea Day - May 10, 2008

The idea of Pangea Day is brilliant. This project is from visionary documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim and the goal is to use the power of film to "strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future." This event will leverage mass communications, technology, and participation from people around the world to spread the… Continue

Posted by Ryan Vong on February 8, 2008 at 11:47pm — 1 Comment

Jeanette Stingley Hotei Buddha and His Similarity to Santa Claus

This is an article I posted on BellaOnline.com http://buddhism.bellaonline.com

When you ask most non-Buddhist to describe what Buddha looks like, a lot of people will tell you he is the jolly, fat-bellied guy you see statues of everywhere. But who is the round bellied man so many non-Buddhist and Buddhist like to have statues of?

His name is Hotei or some people refer to him as “the Laughing Buddha” because he is always portrayed a…

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Posted by Jeanette Stingley on December 23, 2007 at 2:41pm — 2 Comments

Jampa Uniting Buddhists

Greetings! Has anyone done activities in your locale to get the Buddhists talking to one another? We do not have that many Buddhists groups in our town but what few ones there are tend toward keeping to themselves. There have been times when a dying person has needed and requested someone of there own tradition and no one could be found because of the sparse communication. Perhaps a sevice activity would bring tus together. Does anyone else have experience in this kind of situation?

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Posted by Jampa on December 17, 2007 at 7:47pm — 2 Comments

Ryan Vong "Interbeing" the innerconnectedness of all things

I came across a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh that came from his meditation after many painful letters from refugee camps sent to him. I understand the wisdom in his words, but still find it difficult at times to accept the essence of the poem. My family went through a similar plight, and their stories have created anger and pain that has been dormant for years. It was difficult at first t… Continue

Posted by Ryan Vong on November 27, 2007 at 12:05am — 2 Comments

Fleet Maull Post Auschwitz Retreat Reflections, Sunday November 11, 2007

Aushwitz II: Birkenau

Post Retreat Reflections (Flying home from Poland, Sunday November 11th)

How could they do it? I just don’t get it. I just can’t imagine that the perpetrators of these horrors and atrocities didn’t somehow wake up in the…

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Posted by Fleet Maull on November 12, 2007 at 1:56pm — 1 Comment

Fleet Maull Auschwitz-Birkenau Bearing Witness Retreat Days Four & Five


Peacemakers Reading Names of Victims at Selection Site in Birkeanau

Peacemakers final vigil at the pond containing the ashes of hundreds o… Continue

Posted by Fleet Maull on November 12, 2007 at 1:54pm — No Comments