If you don’t want to suffer, then work with an empty mind. Then work will be fun and the results will be excellent.
Buddhism
Small Buddha on show at Agatha Christie’s house
Small Buddha on show at Agatha Christie’s old house near Totnes, Devon.
Part 5 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura
If buddha-dharma is the self, why do we have to study from others? Why do we have to practise in order to change the self? Why do we have to practise? We already have buddha-nature. We can do whatever we want. What is wrong with this kind of view? That is the question. Dogen’s reply is as follows:…
The real part 5 of Zazenshin. Sorry for the slip up last time.
Being Alone by John Aske
‘Other people may offer a solution to our problems, but it is usually a solution to their problems, to something a bit different, and if it helps us, it is usually by luck.’
Pensive Bodhisattva
The origin of Buddha statues of this style is the figure of Prince Siddhartha in contemplation pondering the four phases of life (birth, old age, sickness, and death). Established first in India, the Pensive Bodhisattva was made in countless numbers in China but not till it came to Korea…
Attentive, Awake and Aware, by Ajahn Sumedho
It takes determination to trust this kind of awareness, however, because one’s conditioning tends always to go towards being judgemental and to think in terms of, ‘I shouldn’t feel like this! I don’t know what to do! How should I meditate?’ Whatever you are feeling, however, even if you feel confused about everything, just recognize it ― ‘Confusion is like this’…
A Taste of Zen: Mazu Daoyi
A monk asked, “What is the essential meaning of Buddhism?” Mazu said, “What is the meaning of this moment?”
Zen Sickness, by Zen Master Hakuin
Afterwards, however, as I began reflecting upon my everyday behaviour, I could see that the two aspects of my life—the active and the meditative—were totally out of balance. No matter what I was doing, I never felt free or completely at ease. I realised I would have to rekindle a fearless resolve and once again throw myself life and limb together into the Dharma struggle…
Buddhism now 