On 27 October the video game Super Mario Odyssey was released worldwide by Nintendo for the Switch platform. It’s pretty safe to say that very few people in the world (except yours truly) is thinking about how this game series relates to Buddhism. And I can already guess what you’re thinking. You assume I’m writing […]
Postcard from Raymond: Involving the Young, Then and Now
The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhism and Contemporary Society hosted an intellectually stimulating and cozy 7th TLKY Canada Foundation Conference at UBC on 4 November, with academics and Buddhists sharing their findings and thoughts on the role of youth in Buddhist literature and practice.
Tofu and Miso Soup
The ideal miso flavour is classically robust yet not overpowering. It’s the balance between the pleasantly distinctive taste of the seasoning and the crisp simplicity of the soup base that make this a soup that few dislike and many enjoy. In the meantime, the taste of the tofu and seaweed are characteristically mild, perhaps “bland,” […]
Humanism and Zen
Authentic humanism, in Pierre Furter’s words, “consists in permitting the emergence of the awareness of our full humanity, as a condition and as an obligation, as a situation and as a project.” – Paolo Feire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed These days my Buddhist practice life spins around, tumbles through, and is, ultimately, anchored by a […]
Being Used by Others
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foyuan, edited by Fojin If you tell someone that he is “being used by others,” he may feel humiliated and cheated, and consider himself a pushover who is not worthy of respect and lacks a mind of his own. But the phrase “being used by others” is merely a game of […]
Almond Chocolate Cookies
There are three main components that determine the quality of these sweet bites: the dough, the almond, and the melted chocolate. Almond lovers enjoy having the baked nut at the heart and centre, but this dessert seduces chocolate lovers as well. Those who are more inclined to emphasize the almond might choose to wrap a thinner […]
Buddhism and Youth: A Symposium
University of British Columbia • November 4, 2017 There are Buddhist monastic rules, stories, and teachings that directly address those of lesser years and the issues that are thought to be unique to their stage of life. And Buddhist individuals and groups have created literature, activities, and organizations for boys, girls, and young people in general. Although young people have appeared throughout Buddhist history, Buddhists have engaged most […]
Evolving into Buddhahood: A Dispatch from Anam Thubten Rinpoche
It’s always a delight to catch up with Anam Thubten Rinpoche whenever he returns to Hong Kong (he’s based mainly in the US). I enjoy listening to his thoughtful, spontaneous, and frank responses about the big questions of our day. He is also a most engaging writer, and you can verify this for yourself at […]
Hearing and Seeing
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foying, edited by Jingxing We may develop trust in someone by listening to their words. But sometimes that does not suffice, and we need to observe, investigate, gather facts and have firsthand experience before believing. Which of these two approaches shows greater confidence in the other person? Both Amitabha-recitation and Amitabha-contemplation take […]
Buddhism and the Tea Leaf: One Fine Marriage
From this month till December, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Studies at the University of Toronto is running a workshop series on the relationship between tea and Buddhist culture, history, and practice, along with tasting and sampling sessions with tea sommeliers. In the diverse regions covered in this series (the […]