Tag Archives: religion
Excerpt from the Kalama Sutta
I posted this on my tumblr blog today, but thought I would share it here as well. The Kalama Sutta is often cited (and it is usually only a few lines that are taken out of context) as the gold … Continue reading
Justice?
Last night as I was working on homework, I saw my twitter stream go nuts. Within less than 30 second there were 45 new tweets (this is a lot for my stream, I’m only following like 380 people). Reports were coming … Continue reading
Filed under Political
Affirm life; do not kill
How do we affirm life and support everyone involved? How do we apply the Bodhisattva vow when it comes to abortion? Continue reading
The Lesser of Two Evils
The Democrats have more messages and more platforms than The Flying Spagetti Monster has noodly appendages. It’s a tough sell when your party slogan makes for a better .PDF than a placcard.
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A Zen cage for my monkey mind: my journey into Buddhism (part 2 of 2)
So in my post yesterday I gave a little background into my motivations for taking up this Buddhist path. For me, recollecting this was an important part of my current journey. Ever since breaking ties with SGI, I’ve been … Continue reading
Filed under Buddhism
The 2nd noble truth: my journey into Buddhism (part 1 of 2)
For me it is still about the 2nd Noble truth more than the others (though I understand they all work in conjunction). My primary focus on this path lies in discovering the delusional self, exposing it for what it is. Quenching craving. Starving desire. Caging my monkey mind. Peering into the unknown. Continue reading
My thoughts on “Socially Engaged” Buddhism
So really I’m fairly undecided about all this. And that was the real intent behind this post. I realized that I had no preconceived opinion about Socially Engaged Buddhism. And that listening to all the dialogue going back and forth was interesting, but it wasn’t an organic way to form an opinion that was mine. I’m usually quite opinionated, but for some reason this issue threw up a huge road block for me. It was awesome. I’ve no doubt that social conditioning has some part to play in whatever opinion I do ultimately form around this, but it’s liberating and refreshing knowing that I can walk into a discussion and have zero knee-jerk responses. I’m not sure the last time that has happened.
Filed under Buddhism
“I never really cared for smells & bells” – an Interview with Jomon of the blog “Nothing to Attain”
One of my biggest struggles in life and in practice is with attainment. Getting somewhere. Being somebody. Improving. Meeting goals and objectives. It gets at the heart of a deep assumption that I am somebody and that there is something inherently wrong, or unworthy about that somebody. The words “nothing to attain” serve as such a great reminder that this is not at all the case. Continue reading
Filed under Buddhism
A practice of process/process of practice
One step at a time. One breathe at a time. We all know that the bucket fills one drop at a time. But in Buddhism we’re trying to empty that bucket. Sometimes we forget that it will empty the same way it filled up. At times we’ll need to use a thimble to gently scoop tiny drops out; other times we’ll need a ladle to splash things around a bit. There are many skills to develop on the path that we can layer onto our practice that all help us to empty that bucket and reach nirvana. Continue reading
Filed under Buddhism
We're all one, man!
Personally, I find it a little insulting when people say that we’re all practicing the same religion, or that all paths lead to God. Sorry, I gave up on God well over a decade ago. I took up the Buddhist path because it ends in liberation, not because I believe I’ll end up in a literal heaven with God for eternity. I also think it’s a little disrespectful to not recognize that there is a difference in what we are practicing and trying to achieve, and to then attempt to re-define my beliefs to more closely align with yours. Continue reading
Filed under Buddhism
Super-powering your way to Nirvana
The question was, “if you could have any super power, what would it be?” The top 3 answers by far were : the ability to stop time, invisibility, and teleportation. As far as I know, I’m the only Buddhist out of the group. But these answers all have a very Buddhist theme don’t they? Seems everyone is trying to escape samsara! Continue reading
Belief-o-matic
Just for the hell of it, I thought I’d try the Belief-o-matic again. Each time I get something a little different, which doesn’t surprise me. Here are my results: Continue reading
Filed under Buddhism
An invalid response to life and death. On The Human Condition: part 2
The more we learn about this emergent universe, the fewer places there are for God to hide. When we start to realize this, we can begin to realize that it isn’t any god that controls our lives and deaths, and in fact we have been in control the whole time. And if we are in control of our lives and our deaths, what use do we have for God? Continue reading
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