Each year we celebrate the Buddha’s Enlightenment. Reflecting upon it calls forth different aspects of all that training makes possible. This year, what comes to mind is the need for direct personal insight, rather than learned knowledge or copied … Continue reading →
A prayer of silent illumination: we start with the pure intent of the heart. It is a wondrous mystery that this pure heart and intent exists within us and all beings. It exists at this very moment—not in some far-off … Continue reading →
This is an edited transcript of a talk given during an online weekend retreat in July, 2021. It has been adapted for the Journal. Today I want to highlight the presence of trust in a practice of Buddhism. It develops; … Continue reading →
From Portobello Buddhist Priory Newsletter, September – December 2019. It has been recommended that when we sit in Zazen, we bring to mind the question: What is this? Not as a mantra to continually repeat or as a question to … Continue reading →
This writing was adapted from a talk and discussion given at Shasta Abbey offered for lay residents and local sangha members. I’ve tried to retain the informal style of the original talk. I wish to talk about and discuss four … Continue reading →
In part one of this article I talked about how the Awakening of Faith saw the Mahayana, and dealt especially with the question of ‘what do we take refuge in when we follow the Mahayana?’ The three refuges of Buddha, … Continue reading →
This article was first published in this Journal in Winter 2001, just three months after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre. Published here with thanks to the anonymous author. With the recent terrorist attacks in the U.S., all … Continue reading →
Whilst we are on this earth, it is unlikely that we will find or create a sort of heaven realm for ourselves. As the young Shakyamuni realized, suffering exists inherently in this samsaric realm that we inhabit. The pains of … Continue reading →
This article is dedicated to the memory of my beloved brother Kris, who passed away 4 April, 2020. At a funeral service it is traditional to place a painting or photograph of the deceased on the altar – a likeness … Continue reading →
Chapter Six from Rev. Master Seikai’s book Depth Spirituality, first printed in May 2017 and republished here with thanks. There are many very excellent books on the subject of meditation, so there is really no need for me to add … Continue reading →
