Teachings
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Can Buddhism Meet the Climate Crisis? Part 1 of 2, by David Loy
May 11, 20199 min read
The challenge that confronts us is spiritual because it goes to the very heart of how we understand the world, including our place and role in this world. Is the eco-crisis the earth’s way of telling us to “wake up or suffer the consequences”? It is no exaggeration to say that today humanity faces its greatest challenge ever: in addition to burgeoning social crises, a self-inflicted ecological catastrophe threatens civilization as we know it and (according...
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Dharmatalk: Case 81, Book of Equanimity: Gensha Reaches the Province (Part 2)
May 9, 20191 min read
"... We can drop our construction of self and world, space and time ..." Description: This talk begins with the sound of rain and gentle rolling thunder. It is a continuation of the exploration of Case 81, with a focus on Gensha’s comment at the end of the story. Gensha is trying to help us to appreciate what we really are by sharing with us a reality that can never be known by our mind. Post &...
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Dharmatalk: Case 81, Book of Equanimity: Gensha Reaches the Province (Part 1)
May 2, 20191 min read
"... This world is one single act of love ..." Description: Koans can open up the potential of a human being. Case 81 is a Dharma dialogue between Gensha and Shôtô. They converse about a party the day before—all the revelry is right here, right now. The point of Zen training is to experience this one fact and to make it our ongoing experience. Post & Featured image: Heart Universe Love by geralt, Pixabay License.
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“This”
April 27, 20191 min read
This has no time. This has no place. This has no words. This has no characteristics at all. Anything that comes into this, dissolves and evaporates... like a snowflake in a furnace, as Kakuan said of the eighth ox-herding picture. This is reality. This is home. This is the truth. People don’t generally seem to know this, though it can only always be here. It’s not here, but it’s never gone. This connects to nothing else. ~ Henry Shukman...
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Dharmatalk: Case 80, Book of Equanimity: Suibi and the Chin Rest
April 25, 20191 min read
"... How incredible to wake up into the heart of this moment ..." Description: Koans are not confined by our typical assumptions about reality. Case 80 refers to the story of Bodhidharma, who is credited with bringing Zen from India to China. What did Bodhidharma bring? In this koan, Ryûge is asking Suibi and Rinzai this very deep question, and they respond, showing us what it is to have “no meaning.” Post & Featured image: Sunrise by...
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The Ultimate
April 21, 20191 min read
All objects point to the Ultimate, and a real work of art actively brings whoever sees or hears it to his real nature, which is beauty. The difference between an ordinary object and a work of art is that the object is passive in its pointing towards the Ultimate whereas the work of art is active. Jean Kline (Neither This Nor That I Am, 10; cf. 'A Conversation on Art' in Who Am I?) **** Photo and creation by Rosa Bellino...
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Dharmatalk: All Beings, One Intimacy
April 18, 20191 min read
"... Everything is constantly pouring into existence in this magnificent generosity ..." Description: The Buddha spent his life trying to help others to be freed from suffering. Zen practice exposes our weaknesses, limitations and challenges—this is the grit that makes the pearl. We face things we may not want to face and, therefore, fuel the possibility of discovering that what we thought we were is an invention, that we are not separate, and the true self can...
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Beauty – Truth
April 13, 20191 min read
Try to find the Way to marry your love of Beauty to your love of Truth they are the same Love ~ Rupert Spira Image: Rosa Bellino
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Dharmatalk (Guest): Ruben Habito: Case 3, Blue Cliff Record: Master Ba is Ill
April 11, 20191 min read
"... See with the eyes of the heart ..." ~ Ruben Habito Description: This talk was given by Ruben Habito, founding teacher of Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, TX, on the occasion of a memorial service to celebrate the life of a sangha member. In Case 3, Master Ba is close to death and the temple attendant asks him how he is feeling. What does Master Ba’s answer show us about how he lived? How does...
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