That Overwhelming Feeling
It was so moving, this experience. It's so much larger than me and life. It hasn't got anything to do with little green men. It has to do with the enormity and the quickness and the suddenness of life and death.
A Spiritual Exercise
We think of Buddhism as a religion and Yoga as an exercise. In India, these were not thought of as two different practices but they have been in the West. I think this is why I often get “Why” and “What” questions while my wife Linda, a yoga instructor, gets “How” questions. I am asked “What” are we doing and “Why” are we doing it while Linda is asked “How” do we do this pose. I need to be asked “How” and Linda needs to be asked “Why” and “What”.
Searching for Amida (Part 1)
Sometimes we come across triggers from our past religious lives, little mental snags that make us wonder if we inadvertently returned to what we tried to escape. This is what happened to me recently when I heard an “Amida Buddha” reference. I don’t know why. I’ve heard Amida Buddha a zillion times. There are statues. There are chants and songs. I’ve learned many explanations of the concept both in dharma talks and through reading books.
Hearing the Call (of the Nembutsu)
When I was 35, I traveled solo to Cambodia to run a half marathon through Angkor Wat. Visiting Angkor Wat, was the culmination of a dream born some 15yrs previous during college; I added the half marathon as a "why not?" decision based merely on the fact the event was happening when I already planned to be there, not because I had any grand delusions of becoming an international athlete. I did, indeed, finish the race (and have the medal to prove it); however, I got a lot more than I bargained for…
Wassup With Wasan??!!
Image by Rev. Nori Watanabe
Astonishingly, Shinran wrote over 500 of these easily remembered and sung verses. Through his wasan Shinran was able to transmit the essence of his thoughts in the Kyogyoshinsho, in simple, easy to understand language, accessible to all.
The Intention of No Intention
On the surface, we find that we can grasp the foundation of this theory of change, but the challenge is holding and applying it to daily life conditions.
Patience in the Practice
I recently realized something regarding my path in studying Buddhism. I’ve gained so much personally from my journey so far, but I’ve never stopped to focus on the journey itself, such as where I am on the path and what is the path?
Appreciating Our Tailwinds
What if we could spend as much time reflecting on our lives as we do on the economy or the stock market? There is a podcast that does exactly that. It is called Freakonomics Radio. Their logo reflects this approach. When we look more deeply, what appears on the surface to be an apple is actually an orange.
Remembering Hiroshima: Masako’s story as told to her daughter
Suddenly I saw a blinding flash and knew instinctively to run toward the center of the house. Even as I turned, there was a deafening noise and the house collapsed on top of me. Laying there, the nembutsu was all I could say, over and over. I heard a sound like rolling thunder, going on and on. After everything stopped, I struggled out of the rubble.
Women in Buddhism
Wow, what a fantastic transformation this daughter of the Naga King performed! The Lotus Sutra emphasizes the potential of all beings to become buddhas. Anyone who hears the Dharma, none will fail to achieve Buddhahood. Anyone includes monks, nuns, laypeople, numerous non-human beings, even the villain Devadatta who planned to plunder the Śākyamuni’s sangha and abetted Ajātaśatru in a crime.
Dancing for Joy
This is why we dance. So, whether you have the dances memorized or not please remember there are no wrong steps when one is spontaneously “dancing for joy.”
Why Sanbutsuge?
Chanting with this understanding of the verses from the Sanbutsuge, we become aware of Dharmakara’s hongan, or deep wish for attainment. Through Amida’s limitless wisdom and compassion, the Larger Sutra says that liberation is available for everyone. Shinran tells us that Dharmakara is the model for all of us in becoming a perfect seeker.
Happiness Series (Part 3): Transforming Unhappy
For me, Namo Amida Butsu helps me return to my center. I am reminded to let go of my ego self. It is a reminder of everything I have lived through, and how much the good and the bad and the everything in between has given me this meaningful journey as a human being. It reminds me to be present, to let go, and for this to be enough.
The Pure Land: Both Near and Far
This reminded me of a song from my youth. It is I’ll Take You There by The Staple Singers, released in 1972. They had a background in gospel music so I had assumed that this was a song about literally, physically going to a Christian heaven. But what if this song is a protest song, a song that is challenging cultural norms by offering a new and different way of living and seeing. Perhaps they are offering an otherworldly utopia as an alternative. One that represents a new way of living and seeing as opposed to merely making improvements at the margins.
Grateful for My Pride
Growing up practicing Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, one of the biggest challenges for me was the ability to apply the teachings that we learned outside of the Hondo or outside of just Sundays. Whether it was through Dharma messages, the Golden Chain or from our Dharma School teachers, the teachings were meant to be seen everywhere and anywhere because practicing Jodo Shinshu Buddhism was to simply walk-through everyday life.
Happiness Series (Part 2): An Alternative to Happy
I believe Buddhism helps me pursue a psychologically rich life. Listening to the Dharma and practicing with a sangha are ways to let the fresh air into our personal garbage cans. But it is not a one-and-done situation. It is an ongoing, life-long commitment for those seeking a meaningful and psychologically rich life.
Two Simple Words
When asked to chair the Eitaikyo Service at Vista Buddhist Temple earlier this year, I had mixed feelings. It would be wonderful to see temple friends in person again. But my other reaction was one of trepidation. I thought, “OH MY GOD, will I be able to fit into my pants?”
A Timeless and Timely New Year’s Wish
I think I’m pretty good at not getting fixated on the negative things that happen, and I’m working on not getting too stressed about something in the future that I have no control over. I will do my best to focus on my life today with acceptance and gratitude. There are many things to be grateful for in a life that provides both sad and happy times.
Happiness Series (Part 1): Forgetting the Self
The things we typically seek for happiness—a new car, big tax refund, losing 10 lbs, or maybe a vacation—can be great but are superficial and fleeting. Or perhaps even motivated by envy—the grass is always greener on the other side. We’re always searching for our next “fix.” How do we sustain happiness in an impermanent world?
Return to the Breath – Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh
On January 22, 2022, the world mourned the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh at his home temple in Vietnam at the age of 95. Known affectionately as "Thay" (pronounced “Tay”) by his followers, he is undoubtedly one of the most well-known Buddhists of the modern era, and his impact in bringing Buddhism to the world was profound. He was a pivotal teacher for me on my Buddhist path, and his passing is deeply felt.