We are accustomed in the West to think of spiritual matters as having to do with placing ourselves in relationship with something greater than ourselves, something “other,” and something “out there.” At best it is something beautiful, wise, and willing to love us dearly. At worst it is powerful, fearful, and capable of judging us harshly. Some come to know of it through texts of revelation, the teaching of prophets, or the edifices of tradition built upon these foundations. Others intuit it in … [Read more...]
It’s About How to Live
Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara
Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara is the abbot of the Village Zendo in Manhattan. She is a Soto Zen Priest and certified Zen Teacher in Maezumi Roshi' White Plum lineage. She received priest ordination from Maezumi Roshi and Dharma Transmission from Bernie Tetsugen Glassman Roshi. She holds a Ph.D. in Media Ecology, and taught at NYU for twenty years. One usually thinks of a Zen temple as tucked away peacefully in some fold of the misty mountains. I’m guessing this is not quite the case with you in … [Read more...]
The Buddha Did Not Teach Buddhism
Paul Fleischman
This presentation was made at the BCBS Forum “Buddhist Responses to Violence, ” on September 11th, 2005. The verbal component of the Buddha’s teaching is preserved in an ancient Indian vernacular known as Pali, which was the colloquial, street Sanskrit of the era around 600 BCE. Although particular components of the Pali texts can be questionable as to whether they truly represent the teaching of the Buddha, the Pali Canon as a whole presents a unique implosion into the human condition of a … [Read more...]
The Emptiness of Concepts
Rajesh Kasturirangan
This talk was given as part of a weekend program at BCBS called “Cognitive Science and the Buddhist Understanding of Mind” in January, 2005. As I think we all know, Buddhism and cognitive science are increasingly coming into dialogue with one another these days. For this interchange to be successful, something from Buddhism or something from cognitive science (depending on which side you’re looking from) should affect the other in a way that really changes that field’s mode of operation. … [Read more...]
Caregiving and the Buddha’s Way
Susan Stone
When seen with clarity, any non-harmful activity can be a field for spiritual practice—be it hair dressing, astrophysics or feeding the cat. But caregiving would seem to have special status; spiritual qualities are part of the job description. Caregivers know well the challenges of trying to manifest compassion and selflessness on the job, while those who are practitioners of Buddhist teachings are led into even more complex challenges. These include struggling with the seeming contradictions of … [Read more...]
A Face So Calm
Andrew Olendzki
Advice to a Dying Man
Andrew Olendzki
Advice to a Dying Man: Anāthapindikovāda Sutta (Majjhima Nikāya, 143) This systematic exploration of the phenomenal field of human experience is a powerful exercise in non-attachment. No need to wait until lying on your death bed to undertake it. Put aside an hour, find a quiet place, and try working through this map of the inner landscape, step by step. On one occasion the householder Anāthapindika was afflicted, suffering, and gravely ill. The venerable Sāriputta dressed, and taking his … [Read more...]
Dharma Contemplation: Soaking Ourselves in the Words of the Buddha
Greg Kramer
As interest in Buddhist teachings becomes more mainstream, many people are beginning to feel a yearning for encounters with the Dhamma that are, as close as possible to the source, possibly less colored by contemporary interpretations or emphases. While it is not possible to access truly unadulterated teachings—there is much debate about what constitutes the words of the Buddha and translations always add a layer of interpretation—the spread of sutta study groups and sales of books from the … [Read more...]