After auditing the now public Abdhidhamma and Development of Buddhist Thought, part of Mid-America Buddhist Association’s Diploma in Pali and Buddhist Studies (DPBS) I was inspired to create this post. (If interested in checking out ongoing classes at MABA, please email to request free auditing, or please enroll). Here’s some Abhidhamma resources, some of whichContinue reading “Resources for Abhidhamma — Advanced Buddhist Thought, Inquiry, Analysis and Psychology”
Category Archives: Buddhism
Types Of Samadhi (From Early Buddhist Texts)
“Monks, these are the four developments of concentration. Which four? There is the development of concentration that, when developed & pursued, leads to a pleasant abiding in the here & now. There is the development of concentration that, when developed & pursued, leads to the attainment of knowledge & vision. There is the development ofContinue reading “Types Of Samadhi (From Early Buddhist Texts)”
Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I review the 63 consecutive weeks of online practice Denny continues to lead. The original (amended) show notes are as follows: (From Josh): (Depending on temperament and experience level, some may find this chat tedious,Continue reading “Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”
The Buddha’s Images For The Five Clinging Aggregates
“What is your definition of self,” is often one of the first questions I ask someone once it is clear they are serious about seeking, and/or clear about their spiritual path, or even someone heavily seeped in philosophy. From what I innerstand, while the historical Buddha never simply denied that there’s a “self” directly andContinue reading “The Buddha’s Images For The Five Clinging Aggregates”
Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 2
This irregular “Dharma Questions” series deals with “dharma” meaning both the truth of the nature of reality and some Buddhist teachings. Amongst other things these questions can be:
• thought experiments
• borderline musings not meant to be answered
• from laziness of not contemplating or researching them yet
There’s more or less 17 questions. Here’s two:
Why do the Ānāpānasati instructions omit details on how to bring mindfulness to the fore and calm bodily formations?
What is the root condition (and causes) for (each of the) unwholesome roots of greed, ill-will and delusion (lobha, dosa, moha)?
Study Group: A Commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s “Record of the Transmission of Illumination”
A Confluence Zen Center study group, for six consecutive Thursday evenings starting April 8th: . . . will be reading a commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s , “Record of the Transmission of Illumination” [German-English translation in PDF from Terebess and PDF from Shastaabbey]. This is the current text that Daigaku is translating. WeContinue reading “Study Group: A Commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s “Record of the Transmission of Illumination””
Chán, Zen And Yi Jin Jing | (3/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I reprise Zen, dig into Chán and primarily present Yi Jin Jing in light of its importance for linking body and mind. Show notes are as follows: (From Denny with the bulk of his notesContinue reading “Chán, Zen And Yi Jin Jing | (3/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”
Wisdom Snippets: 33 synonyms for Nibbana
Thirty-three synonyms for Nibbana from Unfabricated-ConnectedAsaṅkhata Saṁyutta (SN 43): 1. The Unconditioned2. The destruction of lust, hate, delusion3. The Uninclined4. The taintless5. The truth6. The other shore7. The subtle8. The very difficult to see9. The unaging10. The stable11. The undisintegrating12. The unmanifest13. The unproliferated14. The peaceful15. The deathless16. The sublime17. The auspicious18. The secure19. The destructionContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: 33 synonyms for Nibbana”
Well Rounded Meditation and Generosity | In Conversation with Beth Upton
This is a March 19th 2021 Zoom interview/conversation/teaching (experience)/chat with Ms. Beth Upton. For the video version I imagine some of this could appear awkward especially for the audience. While I seem to handle awkwardness with indifference, Beth graces with gentle and pleasant speech. From BethUpton.com: I have been teaching meditation since 2014, and theContinue reading “Well Rounded Meditation and Generosity | In Conversation with Beth Upton”
Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 1
This irregular “Dharma Questions” series deals with “dharma” meaning both the truth of the nature of reality and some Buddhist teachings. Amongst other things these questions can be:
• thought experiments
• borderline musings not meant to be answered
• from laziness of not contemplating or researching them yet
There’s 22 (groups of) questions. Here’s two:
Can merit be hijacked (and held ransom/hostage)?
Can too much emphasis on emptiness lead away from more life preserving and/or life promoting choices?
Integrating Presence 