An edited transcript of a talk given at Shasta in March 2024. Last month I celebrated my 50th ordination anniversary as a monk. I don’t mention this because I think it was a big deal, a great accomplishment or anything … Continue reading →
This title may be taken as sounding rather weary, dreary and depressed, or as a statement of positive basic Buddhist training. Both are true for me, and I will continue this training forever. It may not match up with … Continue reading →
My mother recently gave me a cup. It has JAPAN stamped on the bottom. I think it is a pretty common design, I’ve seen it often in second-hand stores. It’s unusual as cups go only because it has two layers; … Continue reading →
When I first moved to Santa Barbara my neighbor gave me my first persimmon. I had not eaten one before. The first one I tried was bitterly astringent. I learned to wait for the fruit to ripen fully. I became … Continue reading →
This is the story of a seemingly ordinary day in my life in February 2022. My sister had driven us to our weekly Sōtō Zen meditation class. We had not been able to find parking so we had to drive … Continue reading →
This article is taken from a talk of the same name that was part of the May issue of the Dharma Reflections From The Place of Peace, CD series. It is offered in gratitude for the life and training of … Continue reading →
We can think of the Buddha’s Truth as enlightenment. It is as simple as that. And when we come across the word enlightenment, what comes to mind? What comes to your mind? What comes to my mind is that if … Continue reading →
Cultivating gratitude is one of the best practices to help our spiritual life. Although we often are oblivious to this fact, everyone always has many reasons to be grateful. When we look with gratitude at what is unfolding in our … Continue reading →
I recently came across the phrase “the mind of poverty” and was struck by its power. It is the mind that is impoverished. We are not speaking about material poverty, but rather emotional and spiritual poverty – the sense that … Continue reading →
I’m seventy seven and in ill health. This affected my posture in meditation until I changed it. I then realised that my apparent reluctance to alter my position had been due to pride; having sat with a straight unsupported back, … Continue reading →