Teachings
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In the Shadows of Transference, by David Loy
September 1, 20198 min read
Fundamentally, the Buddhist path is not about good versus evil and salvation from sin, but ignorance versus awakening and developing the wisdom that sees through delusions that lead to dukkha. Sogyal Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham . . . alas, yet another wave of scandals around issues of sexual abuse by Buddhist teachers. In this case, public outcry has been partly inspired by the #MeToo movement, but is anyone still surprised by the recurring pattern? Western Buddhists will...
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Dharmatalk: Case 86, Book of Equanimity: Rinzai’s Great Enlightenment
August 29, 20191 min read
"Sometimes I take away both the person and the world." ~ Rinzai Description: In Case 86, Rinzai, an important figure in the history of Zen, asks his teacher Ôbaku, “What is the great meaning of the Buddha-Dharma?” Ôbaku answers his question very directly. Inherent to this path of practice is the potential to fundamentally change our life. In the early years of his training, the great master Rinzai was having a very hard time and it is...
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Christianity, Buddhism and Silence, with Ruben Habito – Part 2
August 24, 20192 min read
Spend one hour a week doing nothing; doing nothing in a very intentional and purposeful way. In short, not attempting to do anything, but just allowing… to be. — Ruben L. F. Habito In this thoughtful 2-part conversation with Encountering Silence, Sanbo Zen teacher Ruben Habito speaks about the relationship with silence and the fullness of a joyful life, as well as how his engagement with both Christianity and Buddhism has shaped his own relationship with silence....
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Dharmatalk: Case 85, Book of Equanimity: The National Teacher’s Gravestone (Part 3 of 3)
August 22, 20191 min read
"... In between, there’s gold filling the whole land ..." ~ Tangen Description: This is the fifth talk of the Fall 2018 sesshin. Tangen’s beautiful verse to Case 85 is explored and appreciated. Using additional, wonderful excerpts from War and Peace, we are invited to taste what Tangen is expressing. Post & Featured image: Buddha Gold byHoney Kochphon Onshawee, Pixabay License.
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Christianity, Buddhism and Silence, with Ruben Habito – Part 1
August 17, 20192 min read
Silence for me is not so much a set of external conditions, but more of an inner state of mind. — Ruben L. F. Habito In this thoughtful 2-part conversation with Encountering Silence, Sanbo Zen teacher Ruben Habito speaks about the relationship with silence and the fullness of a joyful life, as well as how his engagement with both Christianity and Buddhism has shaped his own relationship with silence. Click here to listen to part 1 of the...
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Dharmatalk: Case 85, Book of Equanimity: The National Teacher’s Gravestone (Part 2 of 3)
August 15, 20191 min read
"... The whole point of this practice is to find Now, really find Now ..." Description: This is the fourth talk of the Fall 2018 sesshin. It is a continuation of the exploration of Case 85. The national teacher’s only concern is that the emperor find non-worldly happiness—“the infinite blessing of unconditional well-being.” Once again, Tolstoy’s War and Peace is beautifully employed to frame the perspective of worldly unhappiness and worldly happiness expressed by the characters...
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The Heart of a Rose
August 10, 20191 min read
The Heart Of a rose So soft So easy to break Let it break it open Open to Life Open to sorrow Open to joy And yet Your open Heart Is never touched Never soiled By the ups and downs of Life Yes Let your Heart be Broken open Now Before It breaks in thousands peaces Each piece lost In a world Unable to Love Be broken Be open Be Loving Now My dear Heart My dear Love. [Rosa Bellino - 5 July 2019]...
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Dharmatalk: Case 85, Book of Equanimity: The National Teacher’s Gravestone (Part 1 of 3)
August 8, 20191 min read
"... In the crystal palace there is no one who knows ..." Description: This is the third talk of the Fall 2018 sesshin. It begins with more practice pointers, including the advice to be aware of any expectation or disappointment with regard to a mind that is wishing to attain something. The talk develops into a look at Case 85 from three perspectives: worldly unhappiness, worldly happiness and non-worldly happiness. Note: There is a period of silence...
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Dharmatalk: Tolstoy and the Dharma
August 1, 20191 min read
"I knew that feeling of love which is the very essence of the soul for which no object is needed." ~ Prince Andrei, War and Peace Description: This is the second talk of the Fall 2018 sesshin. After some additional, helpful sesshin tools for wearing down the self, this talk unfolds into a discussion of the piercing and beautiful wisdom for Zen practitioners contained in the pages of Tolstoy’s “map of the human soul” War and...
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