A stele of a Buddha or bodhisattva image in Purang in Ngari Prefecture, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, exudes the courtly mystique and power of the ancient Tibetan imperium (Tubo) during the first diffusion of Buddhism. Functioning perhaps as a donative monument or a pillar of a long-lost temple, this stele was erected in either 826 or 838: […]
How to Recognise the Buddha
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foyuan, edited by Fojin Seeds cannot sprout in a low temperature even though they are of high quality. Once the temperature rises, the seeds sprout naturally. In the cold winter of the Three Domains, the seed of our Buddha-nature simply cannot germinate. However, once we are reborn in the Pure […]
Bodhisattva Vows as Liberation Theology
I was raised in what I consider to have been a very “liberal” Catholic household. Outside our evening “grace” before dinner and weekly church service, God and religion were rarely discussed. When I was of confirmation age, I was given the option to go forward or not. I chose not. Fast-forward through the nearly 25 […]
Love for Vajra Guru
Vajra Guru I present you my love Uncontrived, pure and deathless All that is perceived by my body Is my offering to your Vajra body All that sounds is my song to your heart My breath and my mind is manifested only for your joy I have no desires of my own No memories nor […]
Am I Making Progress?
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 […]
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 […]