Last year, Buddhistdoor Global published an article on companion sentient beings, otherwise know as pets. The article struck a cord in me, because I am an avid traveler and I have often pondered whether or not it is right for me to take in a pet. That being said, my recent experience as a pet […]
The Geometry of Angels and Devils
Inspired by Sir Roger Penrose Colder than black holes, carryingenergy, and then a pop! Afterward is really, really boring. But we will not be around to be bored. Photons will. They won’t be bored at all. Clocks stopped without noticing, such usefulpictures to squash the limits of circles living on the edge. A […]
Making Music and Dancing
It’s amazing what doesn’t exist in thereal world. There are no events. No things.A marvelous system of describing. Pickedout stars in the skies. Constellations in the mind’s eye. My self and the universe. There is no real difference.A basic inseparability. Silent. The interminable chatter.Thinking compulsively. Talking to ourselves. The firstsign of madness. Thinking about thoughts. […]
The Blankness of Being (For Alan Watts)
Consciousness is what we do not pay attention to.It is too free. We cannot even think about it. Likelooking at your head. We cannot find anything there. So much like the stars in outer space, it is what we cannot see.The blank. The whatever is necessary. Space all around. Like the severed head of Kali, […]
The Least Among Us Included
No more lists.No more bans.No more you are not allowed. No more I get to decide.It’s not right. Everyone deserves help. No more red flags. No more barriers. Let’s open the doorsof perception. Of reality. Of love and hate. Let’s do something radical. Let’s say yes to everyone. The least among us included. George Cassidy Payne […]
Boudhanath
O dear Shakyamuni Buddha, dear Tathagata, dear Bhagavan,seeing the truth of your Disenchantmentas solid and eminent as Boudhanath over Kathmandu,pointing at a regal constellation likea beggar child who believes it is close,I have yet to realize this Transcendence:someone’s lover lies in a stranger’s arms. O Siddhartha, if you strolled with me now,I would point out […]
The Problem with Original Enlightenment
Hongaku is a Japanese word that translates to “original enlightenment”. This teaching, which states that all people, animals, and inanimate objects are already enlightened originated in medieval China, and first appears in the Avatamsaka (Flower Garland) Sutra. The teaching became popular in Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) appearing in the Platform Sutra of Huineng […]
Dharamshala’s Cafe129: A Haven of Indo-Korean-Tibetan Friendship
Although I’ve visited India several times, I’ve never been to Dharamshala before. This cramped but beautiful city, which shot to international fame as a community for Tibetans, is home to a cozy new café called Café129. This beautiful establishment is under the stewardship of journalist-turned-restaurateur Yeonsuk Ka, who in the short span of less than […]
Andromeda / Peace in Me
The number of stars contained in the Andromeda Galaxy is estimated at one trillion.The expense of spirit in a waste of shame / Is lust in action. The galaxy is inclined an estimated 77° relative to Earth.All this the world well knows / To shun the heaven that leads [wo]men to this hell. The rotational […]
Vasudhara: Goddess of Abundance
Six Armed Vasudhara. From rywiki.tsadra.org Vasudhara (Tib. Norgyunma) is a goddess of wealth, fertility, and well-being. She blesses her worshipers with both material prosperity and spiritual wealth. Like most of the Mahayana goddesses, her heart is filled with compassion and loving-kindness toward all beings. She is the embodiment of the boundless generosity (dana), the first […]