Shakyamuni Descending from the Mountain.15th century, Japan.© Metropolitan Museum of Art Shakyamuni renounced the world and went into the mountains to become an ascetic when he was twenty-nine years old. Unable to reach enlightenment even after six years of rigorous… Read More ›
Buddhist talk: ‘Living a Meditative Life’, by Ajahn Sumedho, given at the 2005 Buddhist Publishing Group Summer School. 55 minutes.
Vinaya master Yuan asked Great Pearl, “When you practice the Way, do you use a special skill?”
Great Pearl said, “I do.”
Yuan asked, “What is it?”
Great Pearl said, “ When I’m hungry I eat. When I get sleepy I sleep.”
Yuan said, “Everyone does these things. Do they not have the same skill as you?”
Great Pearl said, “They do not have the same skill.”
Yuan said, “Why is it not the same?
If you don’t want to suffer, then work with an empty mind. Then work will be fun and the results will be excellent.
Small Buddha on show at Agatha Christie’s old house near Totnes, Devon.
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.
‘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.’
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…
Buddhism now 