Buddhist Teachings for Everyday Living
Reflections on “Four Sights” and Heavy Mantles
When I step back and think about our spiritual ancestors, the reality is much the same: someone must help carry the mantles or the unique legacy we have as Jodo Shinshu followers, as Buddhists in the West, will be lost. The difference with respect to spiritual mantles is that we have to be willing to pick them up ourselves.
Just Take the Shot
Jordan slowly rises and shoots a 20-footer with 5 seconds left in the game. Jordan lands with his right hand extended in the air in the goose neck position of a pure shooter and then he begins to step backwards while the ball is still in the air. The ball was not yet in the net, but the game was already over. The Bulls were champions. Jordan knew it, Karl Malone knew it – everyone knew it. This knowing is to be truly settled. In Jordan’s mind the ball had gone through the net a very long time ago – they were one.
When The Snow Melts: How We Can Embrace Impermanence
A snowman doesn’t become more special because it lasts forever. It becomes special because it doesn’t. Its beauty is inseparable from its melting. We don’t love it despite its impermanence—we love it because of it.
The Power of Other
I thought Self-Power meant “to try” or “to make an effort,” and that Other-Power referred to some sort of higher power. The meaning of these compounds is much more than the sum of their parts. Together, they express something quite different from the literal translation of each character.
Living with the End in Mind (Part 2)
If you had seven days left to live, what would you stop doing? What would you begin? What would you do to live your life fully?
Two Competing Narratives
There is another world. It is a world of contribution. This is where we experience infinite opportunities and possibilities. It is a universe where we can find everything in abundance. Rather than focusing on achievements, we look for ways we can contribute. Rather than doing it on our own, we become part of something bigger than our selves.
The Art of Slow Looking
When we slow down, when we really engage in the moment, we find a deep richness. Our perceptions change. Slow looking is an exercise commonly found in the art world. Let's see what happens when we combine slow looking with Buddhism.
How to Hold a Grudge that Nobody Cares About but Me
Leave criticism behind? I don’t know, I seem to really enjoy hanging on to at least what I consider abuse. It seems to come naturally to me. This a tough one and easier said than done. Letting go is not as easy as it sounds. A lot of the Buddha’s teachings seem simple to understand, but are difficult to put in to practice.
Floating on Faith
I had it in my mind I knew what practice I needed to take to get to enlightenment – the path of the sages. This isn’t a practical path for me, a householder with everyday responsibilities. It took me a bit to understand and embrace the Shin path.
“The Right Time is Now”
The BCA theme for 2024 is “The Right Time is Now”, a quotation from Rennyo Shonin. How do I understand this theme? It is only five words on paper, but in life, it can drive one to make impacts one cannot imagine. After being diagnosed with cancer, I had to shift my views from my future ambitions to the present moment. I could not worry about what the future held, I had to worry about making it there.
Happiness in 3, 2, 1
Have you ever had one of those times in life where you feel like happiness and peace just aren’t within your grasp? Or maybe these moments are few and far between? This post is all about finding happiness, especially when things are tough. The good news is happiness isn’t down the road. It isn’t out of our grasp. Happiness is here, but we have to learn how to find it. The even better news—it’s not as hard as you think.