For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I sum up the themes of our last two conversations on Mahayana and Theravada while adding in the 3rd Buddhist Council. We then wrap-up the developmental history of Buddhism in China, South East Asia and Tibet. Finally weContinue reading “Immigrant Buddhism | (11/24/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)”
Author Archives: josh dippold
An Integrating Presence Meditation at Mary’s House of Healing November 18, 2020
On November 18, 2020 at Mary’s House of Healing starting at 7pm, I plan to facilitate a guided meditation starting with brief instructions along with a discussion before and after. We will likely choose from the following: concentration; loving-kindness; (open) awareness; 5 simple qigong breathing exercises; and/or mindfulness [1) body 2) heart-mind: thoughts, emotions, moods, mind states 3)Continue reading “An Integrating Presence Meditation at Mary’s House of Healing November 18, 2020”
Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20
Rohatsu is Japanese for “eighth day of the twelfth month” when Japanese Zen Buddhists observe the enlightenment of the historical Buddha. Below is a dharma talk from the Jewel Mirror Sesshin with Hokyoji Zen Practice Community I partially attended in August via Zoom. Fortunately or unfortunately, or both, or neither, Zoom retreats are part of meditationContinue reading “Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20”
Lek Lai
Lek Lai, a Sacred Kaya Siddhi Adamantine substance is the subject of legendary tales of miracle powers. One translation for Lek Laï may be “steel eel”, an allusion to the ability of certain Lek Laï to assume a liquid state. Some tales tell of Lek Laï not as a simple mineral, but a kind ofContinue reading “Lek Lai”
(My) art for (“alternative”) zen (school) students from “The Gateless Gate”
The words in this “art” are a mishmash of mostly these two translations of “Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two” from The Gateless Gate: The Gateless Gate by Ekai, called Mumon [PDF from consciouslivingfoundation.org] Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two Nansen saw the monks of the eastern and western halls fighting over a cat. HeContinue reading “(My) art for (“alternative”) zen (school) students from “The Gateless Gate””
“Personal” Photography Musings
Given today is the general election for President of the USA perhaps it seems fitting to post about “personal” images. Because unless you’ve actually sat down face-to-face beside the candidates, all anyone voting has to go on are video images and (spoken) words. (And the rare discussion with those who’ve actually met the candidates.) AnContinue reading ““Personal” Photography Musings”
American Buddhism | (10/27/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I expand from last month’s chat on “Hīnayāna” as a superlative and more on Theravada and Mahayana in general. We also get into: On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika‘s monastery.Continue reading “American Buddhism | (10/27/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)”
Artificial Flower of Life/Metatronic Flower of Death aka Daisy of Death aka Bloom of Doom aka Flower of Doom and the (Real) Flower of Life?
Easy to remember shortcut link for this blog post: tinyurl.com/bloomofdoom [November 30, 2023 UPDATE: From here on newer additions atop the post. Scroll down to the first triple line to start primary article / blog post:] Nov 2025 UPDATE: Saw that someone shared this very blog post on “Fakebook” which I’m not on but wasContinue reading “Artificial Flower of Life/Metatronic Flower of Death aka Daisy of Death aka Bloom of Doom aka Flower of Doom and the (Real) Flower of Life?”
Addressing and Working with Pain On and Off the Cushion
Fortunately, as of now, I haven’t had to work with physical pain much. I’m currently dealing more with blockages, which may or may not be blocking pain. It’s hard to tell until unblocked. For several years, until my grandmother’s passing, she dealt with osteoporosis and the pain of her bones disintegrating with Fentanyl, a veryContinue reading “Addressing and Working with Pain On and Off the Cushion”
Why and Why Not to Question/Inquire
“…what is the benefit that Master Gotama lives for? … the Tathagata lives for the benefit and fruit of true knowledge and liberation.” SN 46.6: Kuṇḍaliya —Translation by Bhikkhu Bodhi A fool is known by three things. What three? They ask a question improperly. They answer a question improperly. And when someone else answers a question properly—withContinue reading “Why and Why Not to Question/Inquire”
Integrating Presence 