There was another time when one of my teachers — the abbot on a temple just outside of downtown Los Angeles — pulled me aside to tell me something important. I was expecting him to share enlightening words with me. In a way, his advice proved to be wise, albeit unexpected. He wanted to remind […]
Author: Teahouse
Imee Ooi and JSJG Home Concert – Sending off 2021
On 29 December, Imee Ooi and her male vocal group, JSJG, livestreamed a Buddhist-themed concert to send off 2021 and welcome the New Year. On their YouTube channel, Imee Ooi and JSJG stated: “2021 is coming to an end. In these trying times of the pandemic and natural calamities, may we survive and stay strong […]
How to Dry Feet
“Don’t pat the feet! We need them to be dry!” Those were the stern words that the abbot of a forest monastery said to me as I was drying his feet and the feet of monks who had just cleansed them with water before entering the meditation hall. Drying the feet of monastics was the […]
Life, Happiness, and the Master of Buddhist Studies at HKU
Since 2002, the University of Hong Kong’s Centre of Buddhist Studies has remained Hong Kong’s premier institute for Buddhist Studies, with an ever-expanding community of international alumni. Now, enrolments are open for applications for the Master of Buddhist Studies (MBS) program of 2022-23. BDG is proud to work with CBS to present these testimonials from […]
The Praise to Tara with 21 Verses of Homage
Mother Tara: the protector and provider of unconditional love It is the privilege of Yayasan Pema Norbu Vihara, Malaysia (YPNV) to be a modest producer of a series of Dharma music to benefit all sentient beings since last year. This is an instinctive response to lessen the negative impact of the pandemic by making Buddhist […]
Is It Bloody Worth It?
I saw blood in the kitchen. My grandmother (奶奶) had cut her finger while julienning vegetables. As a child, I couldn’t believe how it was possible. I had seen my grandfather (爷爷/爺爺) finely dice vegetables with alacrity as he prepared stir-fried dishes for his hungry grandson. Never once did I see him cut himself.
At the Altar
offering flowers to ancestorsoffering ancestors to flowersoffering incense for people unseenoffering people unseen to incenseall directions one direction no directionempty hands full palm to palm
Right Speech, Part Two
Right speech is a difficult thing to put into practice, which means that every day presents me with opportunities to hone this skill in my day job. I am regularly advocating on behalf of elderly individuals in nursing homes, and I have learned many lessons about Right Speech firsthand… Be Discerning The most useful lesson […]
Simple and Direct
A simple solution was the right solution to my meditation problem. But the principle of simplicity when applied on its own can lead to reductionism that ironically makes finding the solution to a problem even more difficult and complex. That’s because following a basic principle cannot provide a complete picture of reality. Simplicity must be […]