(Photo by Brett Stanley Photography) “Do we need anything from the shops?” I ring home from Waitrose, half way through my shopping. “Maybe some tomatoes and salad leaves. Remember it’s plastic-free Friday.” Today is the first Friday since we joined the campaign run by Friends of the Earth, highlighting the impact of plastic on the environment. Every […]
Dharma Dispatch, 26-30 March 2018: Bhutan, Xuanzang’s Translations, and Celebrations in Kolkata
Good morning! The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is hosting the second international Vajrayana Conference in the capital Thimphu. The three-day Buddhist conference opened on Tuesday and ran from 28–30 March. The event offered practitioners, researchers, and academics from around the world a platform upon which to share and exchange their research, findings, and experiences related to Vajrayana […]
Wine
I am not a saint I used to live as a drunk From sip to sip Allowed myself to be absorbed In the daily poisons I sank in descending spirals I once touched the ground Where there is no more Gambling As I lost all of it Pride, desire, aversion… Envy… Even delusion itself Nothing […]
Mindful Birth, Mindful Motherhood
“This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky, rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.” – The Buddha Buddha Shakyamuni gave 84,000 different teachings […]
Precious Guru
Master of my being I am longing for the day To see your gentle face Once more To touch your hair and smell the sandal fragrance in your curls Tears drop when I remember you Your skin is golden and soft And there is no place compared to your arms Being close to you is […]
Into the Dharmadhatu: China, India, and Asia’s Buddhist Destiny
At a recent meeting with Buddhistdoor Global, British-born Lokamitra, who has long been involved in Indian (particularly Dalit) affairs since the 1970s, ended his presentation on his institute, Nagaloka Centre in Nagpur, with an observation: “The future of the world will be strongly influenced by relations between India and China. The Buddhist connection can contribute […]
The Sheep Thief and the Saint
Original story in Chinese by Prof. Lee Chack-fan; retold by Raymond Lam In Old Scotland, from a century long past… “That shall teach you to steal sheep from Mister Dunn again, scummy ingrates!” bellowed three burly men. They grabbed William and Christopher and threw them out of the sweltering blacksmith’s. The brothers wailed in pain, writhing on […]
People We Don’t Like
Eventually we will encounter people we don’t like. It’s important we handle those moments well. Sometimes these people are coworkers, classmates, neighbors, or family. Sometimes they’re people we see on TV or in articles on the Internet. The main point remains the same: Don’t develop hatred toward anyone. The Buddha never gave you permission to […]
Dharma Dispatch, 12-17 March 2018: Sri Lankan Conflict, International Women’s Day, FGS Celebrations
Good morning! We start with some encouraging news amidst a sad backdrop of religious and ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Buddhist monks and activists gathered in their hundreds on the streets of Colombo on Friday to protest violence between Buddhists and Muslims. The protesting monks were joined by activists that included academics, artists, and representatives of civil society […]
The Spirit of Openness
You have asked me Why is your path like that? Flesh, tears, smiles, sweat Our everyday lives Our struggle Our bliss It is the path It is not beyond Nor hidden It is exposed in everything Sex is sacred Yes. And so is food And the outgoing products of our body What is not sacred? […]