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 […]
The Value Systems of Humans, Heaven and Buddha
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foyuan, edited by Fojin The value systems of humankind, Heaven and Buddha differ greatly. Human beings calculate in a clever and shrewd manner; Heaven adopts the law of cause and effect (karma) impartially; and Buddha values compassion. The things that a human being treasures are finite and impermanent; the things that […]
End of Year Reflections
How was your 2017? Mine began amongst friends in Missoula, MT, the city of my college years, and ended in Seattle, WA, my adoptive city as of late May of this year. Along the way, I have developed my courses in Mindfulness, travelled again to teach Buddhism in mainland China, and taught an online philosophy […]
Black Sun
Black sun of my core The agonies of ruined loves belong to you The loss of my only child Is the shadow that falls Since there is light I do not deny you For I know you are a deft master No one can avoid you Or hide from you You are the lord at […]
Boarding the Plane at Ground Level
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foyuan, edited by Fojin A tall mountain can elevate a person high above sea level, but it can’t get him off the ground, even by a fraction. Knowledge, erudition, virtue and spiritual practice can earn a person great fame and much respect from others, but these things can do nothing […]
Buddhist Values and Leadership: Zoya Sandzhieva
Politics has become somewhat of a dirty word in Buddhist life. Sometimes, this is for legitimate reasons. However, if we are to be consistent, then we should welcome and support those who become statesmen with a genuine wish to benefit their people and whose vision has common ground with our Buddhist values. Zoya Sandzhieva, minister […]
Pickled Kimchi
With the ascent of K-Pop and South Korean fashion, culture, and idols, K-food has become a radically popular culinary phenomenon across the world. Emblematic of this rage is the quintessential Korean side dish. The origins of this innocent fermented vegan dish is still, infuriatingly, lobbed between different groups as a political weapon today, a pawn […]
Mindful Christmas! Remembering Our Values
We managed to get a couple of the few remaining seats for the Christmas Oratorio, having only this morning decided to go to the concert. I’ve been brought up with Bach and so it doesn’t come as a surprise when my eyes fill with tears and my throat contracts with emotion as the sweet-sombre chords […]
Postcard from Raymond: Taking Care of Your Magic Dragon
There is a magical dragon dwelling inside every one of us. Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow’s Puff the Magic Dragon, which was masterfully sung by folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, is a melancholic song about losing the capability for imagination, for wonder. When I first heard this song as a kid, I thought that […]