Buddhist meditation

Genko-an's (源光庵) 'Window of Enlightenment' Photo: @KyotoDailyPhoto

Being Awake, by John Snelling

By Buddhism Now on 22 January 2016 • ( 9 )

‘Buddha’ means ‘The Awakened One’. The Buddha was a man who discovered practical methods that enabled him to become permanently awake — hence his name…

A Dialogue on the Contemplation-Extinguished

By Buddhism Now on 31 December 2015 • ( 5 )

‘Nothing of this sort needs to be coped with. Why? Because, if avoidable, it will be avoided. If unavoidable, it will be borne. If sufferable, it will be suffered. If insufferable, it will be wept at.’

Living a Meditative Life, by Ajahn Sumedho

By Buddhism Now on 29 November 2015 • ( 1 )

Buddhist talk: ‘Living a Meditative Life’, by Ajahn Sumedho, given at the 2005 Buddhist Publishing Group Summer School. 55 minutes.

Winter Landscape Artist: Kano Tan'yū (Japanese, 1602–1674) © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A Taste of Zen: Daju Huihai

By Buddhism Now on 12 November 2015 • ( 0 )

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?

Work with an Empty-Free Mind, by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

By Buddhism Now on 7 November 2015 • ( 2 )

If you don’t want to suffer, then work with an empty mind. Then work will be fun and the results will be excellent.

Case (Inrō) with Portrait of Daruma (obverse); Large Lotus Leaf and Stalk with Seed Pod (reverse) C19th, Japan © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Part 5 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 23 October 2015 • ( 3 )

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.

Standing Bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara, Anuradhapura period, ca. 8th century, Sri Lanka. © Metropolitan Museum of Art

Attentive, Awake and Aware, by Ajahn Sumedho

By Buddhism Now on 24 September 2015 • ( 2 )

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’…