If one seeks to understand better the general direction of Buddhist priorities in China, clues can be found in the National Cultural Heritage Administration’s (NCHA) blueprint of preserving China’s ancient grottoes in early December last year. During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–25), the NCHA released its own plan that would, by 2025, result in an […]
The Bodhi Stupa in Gelephu, Bhutan: A To-Be-Completed Structure of Beauty and Compassion
Stupa projects are often initiated by an aspiration or prophecy. A modern-day example of this is in Gelephu, a town (thromde) in Sarpang District, southern Bhutan. It shares a border with India, and one can cross into Bhutan here through Assam. It is a hub for Indo-Bhutanese trade, with a pleasant, moderate climate and rainy […]
What Is Life?
Translated by the Pure Land Translation Team; edited by Householder Fojin. From purelandbuddhism.org By Master Huijing In the Buddhist Parable Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha explained to us “What exactly is life?” with a famous metaphor. The metaphor is like this. On a lonely autumn evening, in the endless wilderness, a traveler hobbled on his way. Suddenly, […]
Let It Rain
I heard the crack of thunder as it whipped across the sky and prepared myself for the downpour to come. I was sitting cross-legged in a tiny wooden kuti that was nestled among the tall trees and rugged rocks on land that was part of a remote forest monastery in Northern Thailand. As I sat […]
Dr. Lyudmila Klasanova’s “Do You Want to Try? Yoga for Kids”
I am absolutely delighted to introduce a new book by our East Europe Correspondent, Lyudmila. This book is for children, but it is also a wonderful introduction for parents seeking an engaging and vivid way to introduce the ancient art of yoga to their kids. Yoga is in and of itself fun and fascinating, but […]
All Worldly Things Are Impermanent. When You Are Sad, Think of These Four Points
By Ping Seng Ye Cheng (Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team; edited by Eddie Cao) We always hope that reciting Amitabha’s name enables us to live peacefully for the rest of our lives, embraced by his light, without mood swings. Once this life is over, our lotus flower in the Land of Bliss […]
A Laywoman’s Calling: A Vocation in Teaching and Livestreaming
Part One of Gotami’s journey I believe that now, more than ever, we need to talk about the Dharma, and to spread a message of hope for all the people who are suffering during this pandemic. The idea of talking about Dharma, however, came about by chance. By May 2020, I had started writing about […]
Rain Haiku
Haiku #1 Rain falls from the skyDies screaming on the windowListen to the sound Haiku #2 Rain falls from the skyDies screaming on the windowGives the grass a drink Haiku #3 Rain falls from the skyDies screaming on the windowIt’s a life well-lived
The Lay Perspective: A Journey into the Dharma
Being Buddhist is wonderful, knowing the Dharma is even more so, and spreading it on social media, creating a small oasis of peace in a historical moment when these platforms have become places of pain, toxicity, and fake news, is a blessing. My name is Martina, but people call me Gotami, the Dharma name that […]
Remember to Change Your Oil
There was another time when one of my teachers — the abbot on a temple just outside of downtown Los Angeles — pulled me aside to tell me something important. I was expecting him to share enlightening words with me. In a way, his advice proved to be wise, albeit unexpected. He wanted to remind […]