May all beings everywhere, in this galaxy and beyond,find peace within ourselves, with others, and with Mother Earth.May we rediscover health, joy, naturalness, and freedom.May those in dark places know the emptiness of suffering.May the demonic forces behind our enemies be extinguished byAvalokiteshvara’s inexhaustible wisdom. May Mañjuśrī’s flaming swordcut out the infection in our hearts […]
love
Putting My Son to Bed
There are moments so sacred that I can only share them in a poem. When I am reading tomy son in his rocking chair. Curious George and Sesame Street. Or when he begins to suck his wrist, that thing which sootheshim best. That’s when I know heis ready. Opening his arms into mine. I cradle him. He is getting too big to […]
Maya: Creative Force, Illusion, and Motherly Love
Reflections. Courtesy of author. The Sanskrit term maya is usually translated as “illusion.” The etymology of the word is considered to come from the root ma, “to measure,” “to give shape,” and “to form.” In some early Sanskrit texts, maya has the meaning of “creative force” and it is related to the three innate qualities […]
Three Encounters wi ra Bodhisattva ay Compassion in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland
by dubh Endins. Beginnins. Nothin iver beginnin or endin. Continuity contains entropy, stasis contains movement. Nae metter how many times ra knife chops, severs, slices, divides, nothin separates. * A get in ra lift oan ra 10th floor. Ra man awready in ther came fae higher up. E could be 35, or 60; ra povurty, diet, […]
Maithuna in Buddhist Art
Photo: Maithuna, Eastern Ganga dynasty, 13th century Orissa, India The notion of the eternal union of man and woman spawned an incredibly diverse abundance of sexual images in Hindu and Buddhist art. In the Hindu tantras the idea of the couple and the act of copulation is called maithuna—a Sanskrit term, which has several meanings […]
Love Versus Principle
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foying, edited by Fojin Love rules in a family, whereas legal principles rule in a court of law. Love is the name of the game for people who are fond of each other. But those who are in conflict resort to principles. A society will not be harmonious unless love […]
Where There Is Love
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foyuan, edited by Jingxing When you have love, you have everything. Where there is love, there is satisfaction. That means all needs and wants are met. Just as water flowing into a deep pool fills every crack of its bed. It will first fill the most hidden and invisible crannies. […]
A Brief Note on Love and Human Feelings
Buddhists are imperfect. We form attachments. We feel suffering. We try hard to balance spiritual prerogatives with worldly success. We feel loneliness. We want the company of others. Unless you have the luxury of a monastic life, you’re dealing with these realities constantly. And I’m writing this as a reminder: It’s OK. Managing samsara is […]
The Middle Way in Love
The doctrine of the Middle Way (Skt. madhyama-pratipad, Tib. ume lam) is one of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. According to Theravada Buddhism, the term “Middle Way” is used for the first time in Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which is perceived as the first teaching that Buddha Shakyamuni delivered after his awakening. In this text the Buddha […]
Dance with No Dancer: Part 2
LiAnne Hunt Opening of Dharmata House Malaysia In 2014, they published a book and CD in Chinese of Rinpoche’s talks entitled Your Original Face. Now, in 2016, a mere four years since beginning this sacred dialog, the sangha has opened Dharmata House in time for Anam Thubten’s annual visit. Dharmata House is located smack in […]