Recognising Buddha
It is so helpful for our spiritual path to recognise the heart of Buddha in other human beings. When I was a young man, there was a deep longing in me that I could not have put into words then. … Continue reading →
Buddhist doctrines
Going to the Well
The Dharma Path is simple and straightforward and in the instant before us, and yet calls us to great depths. A wellspring emerges to the surface joyfully, and yet its waters come from deep within, making their way upwards through … Continue reading →
Everybody already a disciple: the Master calls, who responds?
“One calls, One responds.” There are many dimensions to the master-disciple relationship. Who is it that calls, who is it that responds? What I explore here is one perspective which of late I view as this relationship’s core, heart, or … Continue reading →
Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett on compassion and benevolence
In the early 1970s my wife Linda and I were fortunate to attend a weekend retreat near Eugene, Oregon, conducted by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett. Not long thereafter, Linda and I were founding members of the newly opened Eugene Buddhist Priory; … Continue reading →
The Life of the Precepts
The Precepts are actually how we live when we learn to let go of greed, hate and delusion—they are enlightened action, they are the life blood, the working, of the Buddha Mind. They are the guide to a place which … Continue reading →
The Teaching of Critical Mind
It’s sobering to observe the workings of critical mind, to feel its painful effects and see how this goes against my true wish. It is easy to turn away, to not look, but eventually we do see. To turn towards … Continue reading →
Gratitude and Karma
I would like to share with you some thoughts on gratitude and karma. It’s been coming up for me that karma is always here, and gratitude isn’t—I thought that distinction might be worth talking about. It occurred to me that … Continue reading →
Our Vow: The Great Protector Reflections on The Earth Witness Posture
Buddhist Teaching, be it in words or images, offers us insights into the truth. It is there for us to reflect upon, digest, and through that, enable our own understanding to unfold. The Dharma is a living thing with a … Continue reading →
The Wind is Always Blowing, the Current is Always Moving
I’d like to talk this morning about a teaching from Rev. Master Jiyu that I remember coming across very early on in my training. She used to say, it seemed, quite often: “The leaf goes where the wind blows it.” … Continue reading →
Our Attitude of Mind
Our everyday life is our practice and our attitude will affect the way we choose to live. Each moment is changing, so if we have a hard, set attitude, it can change too—we are not bound by it. The more … Continue reading →
