The central metaphor of Buddhism is that of a path – a path that leads from Samsara to Nirvana, and a path that encompasses the cultivation of ethical conduct, meditation and wisdom. Soon after I began to mediate relatively seriously, I was introduced to the mapping out of the path in terms of stages of […]
Month: January 2018
Disenchant and Re-enchant: Spiritual Writing for a Cynical Age
Last week Buddhistdoor Global published a View about infusing the media industry with the values of the Noble Eightfold Path. Each “stoke” of the Eightfold Path can have fairly complicated considerations, but then again, journalism is a complicated industry. I also believe that regardless of our platform, whether it’s online or print, writers don’t give […]
Sweet Potato with Ginseng Root Tong Sui
Literally translated as “sugar water,” tong sui is a diverse and popular dessert throughout China, with the commonplace and affordable sweet potatoes providing one of the most popular bases for this sweet soup. A good concoction is light and breezy in texture but strong in flavour. You can boil the potato with ginger along with […]
Master Huijing’s Dharma Words about Exclusive Amitabha-recitation
Experience or feeling is unique to an individual and takes place under a particular condition; it does not commonly apply to all beings and under all conditions. Experience or feeling takes place at one time under a given circumstance; it is not permanent and universal. So, Master Shandao says, “Although [an ordinary being] sets forth […]
Cool weather, warm heart practice
As fall transitions into winter here in Seattle, a literal cloud of darkness settles over the lives of many people in the city. That makes it a perfect time to explore meditations on mettā, or loving-kindness, and gratitude. My practice usually tends toward mindfulness of breathing as a method of calming and centering the mind, […]
Vegetarian Tempura
Editor’s note: This dish is not healthy. It is imperative to consume deep-fried, oily, and sweet dishes minimally and in small servings. While we all have our culinary preferences, it is ideal to develop awareness as to what is desire for what is unhealthy and nourishing unhealthy tendencies; and what is nourishing rightly applying and directing […]
The Value Systems of Humans, Heaven and Buddha
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foyuan, edited by Fojin The value systems of humankind, Heaven and Buddha differ greatly. Human beings calculate in a clever and shrewd manner; Heaven adopts the law of cause and effect (karma) impartially; and Buddha values compassion. The things that a human being treasures are finite and impermanent; the things that […]
End of Year Reflections
How was your 2017? Mine began amongst friends in Missoula, MT, the city of my college years, and ended in Seattle, WA, my adoptive city as of late May of this year. Along the way, I have developed my courses in Mindfulness, travelled again to teach Buddhism in mainland China, and taught an online philosophy […]
Black Sun
Black sun of my core The agonies of ruined loves belong to you The loss of my only child Is the shadow that falls Since there is light I do not deny you For I know you are a deft master No one can avoid you Or hide from you You are the lord at […]