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)”
Category Archives: dharma
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”
(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””
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)”
Karma Knows | (9/29/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)
September 2020’s, open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — discussions about meditation and related topics — with co-host Denny K Miu primarily address the term “Hīnayāna” and misunderstandings about karma. My original questions for the talk (followed by Denny’s response): (from Denny:) Or listen via Insight Timer (app or website)
Wisdom Snippets: Belief (Downsides And Solutions)
From “The Unfoldment: The Organic Path to Clarity, Power, and Transformation” (p. 41-48). Career Press. Kindle Edition. By Neil Kramer. ‘Belief is often about comfort. It is reassuring to know that a thing will be the same today as it was yesterday. We set up all kinds of routines and habitual practices in our dailyContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: Belief (Downsides And Solutions)”
Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue
At Confluence Zen Center’s recent five year anniversary gathering and book signing in Maplewood, Missouri, I picked up a copy of A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s Gokudō Yōjinshū (Guidelines for Studying the Way) by Gien Inoue translated by Daigaku Rummé and Keiko Ohmae. [Also available via Amazon.] Having attending ConfluenceContinue reading “Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue”
Dharma Questions: The Jhanas
There seem to be plenty of variation on the descriptions of the jhanas (especially surrounding “Nimittas”); the history and backgrounds of the jhanas — which were supposedly established well before the historical Buddha; — as well as some emotional charge surrounding what is and isn’t jhana and how to properly practice the jhanas, or meditativeContinue reading “Dharma Questions: The Jhanas”
Why We Practice | (8/25/2020 — Introducing: ‘Ask Us Anything’ With Denny K Miu)
This “pilot” of sorts called ‘Ask Us Anything’ marks the start of a monthly, open-audience, open-discussion with co-host Denny K Miu mostly about meditation practices and related topics. Our format isn’t set in stone, but it may gel more over time. We may invite guests. Audience members may talk more. We may freestyle with zeroContinue reading “Why We Practice | (8/25/2020 — Introducing: ‘Ask Us Anything’ With Denny K Miu)”
Dharma Questions: Awareness / Consciousness
Whatever [one] keeps pursuing with her thinking & pondering, that becomes the inclination of her awareness. Two Sorts of ThinkingDvedhāvitakka Sutta (MN 19) What is the difference between mind, thoughts, thinking, cognition, consciousness, attention, remembering, knowing, realizing, mind objects, mental formations, mental phenomena, volition, mindfulness, awareness? And what is the relationship between each of these and withContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Awareness / Consciousness”
Integrating Presence 