Suzuki
Roshi's way of Zen is the same as and also different from other
styles of Chinese and Japanese Zen. Zoketsu Norman
Fischer explores the basic points of Suzuki Roshi's
way.
Is
studying the Dharma important? Bhikkhu Bodhi makes
a case for study.
Lojong
- Mind Training
Mind
Training is a practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based
on a set of proverbs formulated in Tibet in the 12th century
by Chekawa. Through the practice we undertake to connect with
our world in an unconditionally positive way, and also to take
full responsibility for our experience of it. This web site
presents seven translations of the lojong slogans by Jamgon
Kongtrul, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Trungpa Rinpoche and others.
Thinking
We
don't have to get rid of thinking in order to meditate. There
is no problem with thinking in and of itself, but only in how
we sometimes relate to it. In this talk Ajahn Amaro explores
the role and nature of conceptual thought, how to relate to
it skillfully, as well as acknowledging the value and right
use of reflective thinking.
Take
a multimedia tour of the Buddhist art of southeast Asia
in Vision of Enlightenment: Understanding the
Art of Buddhism. [Created
by Pacific Asia Museum]
The
Dhammapada
Regarded
as the most succinct expression of the Buddha's teaching,
the Dhammapada presents the Buddha's
realistic understanding of human life, aphoristic wisdom
and stirring message of a way to freedom from suffering.
Unceremonious
Buddhism
Ceremony
can be meaningless if one doesn't understand and/or value
the meaning behind the actions. Ajahn
Brahmavamso doesn't just discuss Buddhist ceremonies,
but ceremonies in general and how they can enrich our lives
if we are mindful enough to see and appreciate the meaning
behind the rituals.
An
early teaching in the Chan/Zen tradition. Oxherding
was and is a useful metaphor for training the mind. The
ox is our
mind; it must be trained not to wander off into distracting,
discursive thoughts. It must be trained to align with
the Dharma and so become pure. There are
many versions of the oxherding pictures. Here, transcribed
by Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps, is Kakuan's Ten Bulls.
Compassionate
Contemplation
Unlike
other methods of practice where you concentrate your
mind on numbers, breathing, or a part of the body, compassionate
contemplation, teaches Master Sheng Yen,
helps eliminate anger and gives rise to compassion for
sentient beings.
Never
Born, Never Ceasing
Dilgo
Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) comments on
Kamalasila's verses on the limitless nature of mind.
Unshakable
Peace
The
whole reason for studying the Dhamma, Ajahn Chah taught,
is to search for a way to transcend suffering and attain
peace and happiness.
Cultivating
Presence
Yvonne
Rand talks about the cultivation of our capacity
to be present and the obstacles to being present. If
we're persistent and determined our capacity to be present
will develop.
One
wonders: does anybody really want peace? Nobody seems
to have it. Is anybody really trying to get it? A somebody
never has peace, Ayya Khema taught.
For there to be peace, be nobody.
What
is Buddhism?
Bob Thurman asks, "What
is Buddhism?" He explains how Buddhism is, contrary to
popular thought, not a religion based on any type of faith
or belief. Rather, Buddhism is a way of understanding the true
nature of reality through wisdom.
Dzongsar
Khyentse Rinpoche talks about the richness and wealth
of being natural and getting in touch
with the natural state of mind. The true nature of the
mind is the awakened state.
The
Search for the Beautiful, the True and the Good
We
have all known love and suffered because of it. In Buddhism,
the meaning of love is very deep, but also very clear,
and it is necessary to have time to look deeply into the
nature of our love, in order to be able to cultivate the
elements which make true love.
All of us need to love, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches.
We need something beautiful, true and good, and we are looking
for the beautiful, the true and the good.
Calmness
of Mind
"Calmness
of mind," Suzuki Roshi said, "is beyond the end
of your exhalation, so if you exhale smoothly, without
trying to exhale, you are entering into the complete perfect
calmness of your mind."
Meditation:
Why Bother?
Meditation
is not easy. It takes time and it takes energy. It requires
a host of personal qualities which we normally regard as
unpleasant and which we like to avoid whenever possible. Bhante
Gunaratana answers the question: why bother?
Buddhism
in Modern Life
Ananda
Guruge addresses the question of the role of
Buddhism in modern life. What is modern life? What is
Buddhism? And what role has Buddhism to play in modem
life?
Is
Tibetan Buddhism Working In the West?
Is
Tibetan Buddhism Working in the West? It is important to
remember that it took many decades and generations of courage
and devotion to firmly establish Buddhism among Tibetans.
Why should we expect that it would be any different in
the West?
Genjo
Koan
A few brief
excerpts on Michael Wenger's teachings on Dogen Zenji's Genjo
Koan.
Seon
(Korean Zen) talks about
cultivating three great attitudes—great
faith, great courage and great questioning. Martine Batchelor
shows us that it is here that we find a continuation
of the Buddha’s teaching about care, energy and
protection.
Mind
Training is a practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based
on a set of proverbs formulated in Tibet in the 12th century
by Chekawa. Through the practice we undertake to connect with
our world in an unconditionally positive way, and also to take
full responsibility for our experience of it. This web site
presents seven translations of the lojong slogans by Jamgon
Kongtrul, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Trungpa Rinpoche and others. 
We
don't have to get rid of thinking in order to meditate. There
is no problem with thinking in and of itself, but only in how
we sometimes relate to it. In this talk Ajahn Amaro explores
the role and nature of conceptual thought, how to relate to
it skillfully, as well as acknowledging the value and right
use of reflective thinking.
Ceremony
can be meaningless if one doesn't understand and/or value
the meaning behind the actions. Ajahn
Brahmavamso doesn't just discuss Buddhist ceremonies,
but ceremonies in general and how they can enrich our lives
if we are mindful enough to see and appreciate the meaning
behind the rituals.
Yvonne
Rand talks about the cultivation of our capacity
to be present and the obstacles to being present. If
we're persistent and determined our capacity to be present
will develop.
Bob Thurman asks, "What
is Buddhism?" He explains how Buddhism is, contrary to
popular thought, not a religion based on any type of faith
or belief. Rather, Buddhism is a way of understanding the true
nature of reality through wisdom. 
