christmas lights in windowof homescheduled for demolition Support Our Dharma Work
Dogo
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 Support Our Dharma Work
Medicine and Sickness, Heaven and Hell
“Medicine and sickness heal each other. The whole world is medicine.” —Blue Cliff Record, Case 87 In this week’s Dharma talk, I mentioned a parable that’s been on my mind lately. I don’t know its origin — I’ve heard different versions, some attributing it to the Zen or Taoist traditions, but I haven’t been able […]
Halloween Rising
Halloween rising,and I’m riding shotgunwith an incandescent raver girlat the wheeland a junkie on the back seatwhen the bars are closingand the desert a mirrorof the moon — Phoenix, Arizona, 2007
Robes: An Invitation to Connect
Most Zen monks in the west only wear their robes for ceremonial purposes. But I’ve found that when I’m on my way to or from the zendo and wearing my robes, strangers in the street will approach me, wanting to talk. It’s not usually that they’re interested in Buddhism, it’s that they’re lonely and feel […]
Takuhatsu in Glasgow
heatwave, tower block –seagull taps on window,requesting alms Support Our Dharma Work
A Prayer for All Who Are Sick
Yakushi the Medicine Buddha by Enku, 17th Century My friend Sister Petra is a Christian nun who also practices Zen Buddhism with our sangha. A few months ago she told me, “During the pandemic, I’ve been praying for everybody who’s sick, in body, mind, or spirit.” I was moved by this, and it has continued […]