Zen prose and poetry from daishin
unhappiness
Education and Growth: Serenity of the Path’s Insight
Part One in a six-piece series of reflections by Dr. Anthony C C Lok, Chinese Buddhist layman
Developing a Sense of Similarity
Several years ago, when I was eating lunch alone in the dining area of a university food court, a smiling student recruiter from a major international religious organization asked whether he could speak with me for a moment. I obliged, and he sat down in the chair directly across from me at my table. After […]
Robes: An Invitation to Connect
Most Zen monks in the west only wear their robes for ceremonial purposes. But I’ve found that when I’m on my way to or from the zendo and wearing my robes, strangers in the street will approach me, wanting to talk. It’s not usually that they’re interested in Buddhism, it’s that they’re lonely and feel […]
Maybe a Strange Thing
Maybe a strange thing — a college townat the wrong time of year — the students are gonebut you’re still around,wandering through bookshops,empty art galleries — tired, sick of it,in a quiet cafe youlose your temper, get upand walk out,leaving yourself sitting over coffee. Support Our Dharma Work
Grieving
The Santoku knifeI gave to my brotherbut wish I hadn’tAnd some nights when Duke and Hankare on the turntableI still drop what I am doing George Cassidy Payne is a poet from Rochester, NY. His work has been included in such publications as the Hazmat Review, Moria Poetry Journal, Chronogram Journal, Ampersand Literary Review, The Angle at St. John Fisher College, and 3:16 Journal. George’s […]
The Cost of Unhappiness
Master Jingzong; English translation by Fomu, edited by Jingtu I read an excellent article on the internet today titled, “There Is a Cost to Every Type of Unhappiness.” I fully agree with the premise. There are too many people who don’t understand it, for they are accustomed to being unhappy. To them unhappiness seems almost […]