Category Archives: Uncategorized

  Good morning!   We have our regular sesshin today. Sesshin is embracing and touching the heart/mind. The Heart Sutra we recited is the heart of the Awakened Way in the shortest sutra, scripture. I think Avalokita-īsvara or Avalokita-svara Bodhisattva … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   The weather forecast is for snow soon. Science has advanced in predicting the weather, but not yet pinpointing, much less so in the area of human suffering and solution. The Tenfold Interdependent Co-origination is ascribed to … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   I forwarded a video recording a dog taking care of another in sickness, unmovable in between railway tracks and under passing trains for two days. One reaction I got was amazement for the compassion, the person … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   The Four Holy Truths are problem solving methods: problem, cause, solution, and application/practice. Our life problem is suffering, duk-kha, wrong-going (against the grain: wish). Our life in suffering is illustrated in the schema of Twelvefold Interdependent … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   Yesterday was the winter solstice with the shortest daytime. So, today is the first day we gain more light, the beginning of a new season, a new year. Release from darkness and chill is gaining light … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   Rohatsu sesshin is a week sesshin  held at monasteries and temples all over the world preceding and commemorating and celebrating the Buddha’s awakening on December 8. The Buddha’s attainment of nirvana/bodhi, awakening, is epoch-making; all beings can … Continue reading →

    Good morning!   About a decade ago I made a trip to India, tracing the Buddha’s footsteps. Most memory sites were desolate remains, but Jetavana, Gion, was vivid with abundant flowers and butterflies flying around. Here the Buddha … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   I watched an NHK program titled “Autonomous Nerve System Self Care Technique, Irritation Changed.” The doctor said that irritation comes from self-centeredness, which stimulates the sympathetic nerve system, making blood pressure high, breathing shallow, etc., making … Continue reading →

  The following photos were sent taken and sent by Mr. Noriyuki Otsuka, in Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan and by Rosan Osamu Yoshida (last four):                                 … Continue reading →