Search found 35 matches

by DrLang
Fri Jan 15, 2016 5:44 am
Forum: Nichiren
Topic: The Role of Seiza
Replies: 32
Views: 9258

Re: The Role of Seiza

Hi Kanse-san, although this is the Nichiren section I hope you don't mind me answering. :smile: Back when I was studying martial arts, I was told that the western bone structure of our limbs is different to those of our eastern brothers. I can't remember which bone is longer and which is shorter, b...
by DrLang
Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:21 pm
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?
Replies: 10
Views: 4630

Re: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?

again, (maybe that point was not clear enough articulated in my other posts) as I understand it the approach to bodhi is causal in stages other than the tenth. in the tenth the approach to bodhi is from the resultant point of view. it is not that one stage is a cause for another stage. I think we a...
by DrLang
Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:18 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?
Replies: 10
Views: 4630

Re: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?

one further note: the approach to awakening of the stages prior to the tenth stage in Kūkai's model is only vertical and a causal one (inbun 因分). This changes completely in the tenth stage, which is horizontal and a resultant one (kabun 果分) in which any distinction between exoteric and esoteric is ...
by DrLang
Sun Sep 07, 2014 5:12 pm
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?
Replies: 10
Views: 4630

Re: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?

So, I would say that there are definitely different levels of realization, they may stand on an equal ground but the depth of it varies as pointed out by him and it is not a matter of right or wrong. This much is clear. Kukai attributed the Ten Stages of the Mind to such vehicles as follows. If I h...
by DrLang
Thu Sep 04, 2014 2:16 pm
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?
Replies: 10
Views: 4630

Re: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?

To me, every path of spirituality eventually seems to say "we're better than x, y, z, follow our way, other ways are inferior". This is no different. Who can be right? But that's the interesting thing to me here. At a time (albet, perhaps a poorly defined time) when the liturature I read ...
by DrLang
Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:10 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?
Replies: 10
Views: 4630

Kukai's progressive view of the Hinayana?

In reading Kukai's Secret Key to the Heart Sutra , I could not help but notice a point which seems out of place with the prevalent ideas within Mahayana literature regarding the Hinayana. The text: gate gate pāragate pārasaṃgate bodhi svāhā. There are five units in the mantra, the secret treasury. T...
by DrLang
Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:53 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: "Protecting" Society from Critical Thinkers
Replies: 27
Views: 7688

Re: "Protecting" Society from Critical Thinkers

I think there was greater tolerance for people getting their views out even if it devolved into shouting matches. I heard about grad student parties ending in fist fights between Leninists and Trotskyites. I don't know if people were more enlightened, but people were allowed to express their ideas....
by DrLang
Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:06 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Questions regarding Practices
Replies: 8
Views: 4675

Re: Questions regarding Practices

I think this has more to do with the state of Buddhism today outside Asia than to do with Shingon as such, although some Shingon-specific issues are also relevant. For starters, there's less material available in European languages on Shingon-shu than there is on other Dharma traditions. Generally,...
by DrLang
Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:27 pm
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Questions regarding Practices
Replies: 8
Views: 4675

Re: Questions regarding Practices

Dr. Lang, a very interesting analysis and I think I do agree in part with your hypothesis, that those who are exposed to Shingon in person are exposed through seeing ritual in temples they visit, etc. Though, like Zen, isn't it understood to be but a part of a broader tradition? What do you think c...
by DrLang
Sun Jul 13, 2014 1:05 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Questions regarding Practices
Replies: 8
Views: 4675

Re: Questions regarding Practices

My question, Why so many questions about Shingon practice and not one single question on Shingon teachings? No comments or inquiries on Kukai’s Secret Key to the Heart Sutra? Or his work on The Meanings of Sound, Word and Reality? I find it puzzling. I certainly don't know better than Jikan, but I ...
by DrLang
Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:21 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Questions about Master/Disciple relationship in Shingon
Replies: 0
Views: 1663

Questions about Master/Disciple relationship in Shingon

In Japan it seems apparent that many (most?) people taking tokudo in the Koyasan lineage are from temple families. Presumably their father or mother will be their master. Yet, it would also seem that a lot of these people still go and train at the seminary. So my question is, how does the master/dis...
by DrLang
Tue Jan 28, 2014 3:07 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Shingon Esoteric Buddhism: A Handbook for Followers
Replies: 11
Views: 8829

Re: Shingon Esoteric Buddhism: A Handbook for Followers

I contacted (via email) the Shingon International Institute 5 months or so ago, but they never replied. I take it they still exist? They do still exist, but from my own experience and that of others, they are notoriously difficult to get ahold of. You might try calling them. Their phone number can ...
by DrLang
Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:51 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Shingon resources?
Replies: 18
Views: 9246

Re: Shingon resources?

Speaking of Mandala Vermont, apparently they have an active Facebook page where they keep their events logged.
by DrLang
Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:51 am
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: Mahayana/Vajrayana Links and Resources
Replies: 427
Views: 182993

Re: Shingon resources?

Speaking of Mandala Vermont, apparently they have an active Facebook page where they keep their events logged.
by DrLang
Thu Jan 09, 2014 6:40 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Shingon resources?
Replies: 18
Views: 9246

Re: Shingon resources?

Interesting - thanks DrLang. For such a group, do you know to what extent would they be able to share their practices with newcomers? I suppose any new aspirants would still need to eventually meet Rev. Tanaka when he visits? I have no idea. Generally the extent to which an acarya will share esoter...
by DrLang
Thu Jan 09, 2014 6:40 am
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: Mahayana/Vajrayana Links and Resources
Replies: 427
Views: 182993

Re: Shingon resources?

Interesting - thanks DrLang. For such a group, do you know to what extent would they be able to share their practices with newcomers? I suppose any new aspirants would still need to eventually meet Rev. Tanaka when he visits? I have no idea. Generally the extent to which an acarya will share esoter...
by DrLang
Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:13 am
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Shingon resources?
Replies: 18
Views: 9246

Re: Shingon resources?

From the biography on the website, it seems Rev Tanaka no longer resides in Vermont and has returned to Japan since the closure of the Mandala Buddhist Center in 1999. It seems he does visit his students in Vermont once a year or so though. But unfortunately this means there isn't a permanent Shing...
by DrLang
Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:13 am
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: Mahayana/Vajrayana Links and Resources
Replies: 427
Views: 182993

Re: Shingon resources?

From the biography on the website, it seems Rev Tanaka no longer resides in Vermont and has returned to Japan since the closure of the Mandala Buddhist Center in 1999. It seems he does visit his students in Vermont once a year or so though. But unfortunately this means there isn't a permanent Shing...
by DrLang
Wed Jan 08, 2014 3:30 pm
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: Mahayana/Vajrayana Links and Resources
Replies: 427
Views: 182993

Re: Shingon resources?

If you're in New York and can make a road trip, you might consider going to visit Rev. Tanaka in Vermont. You might want to send him an email if you're interested because it looks like he's often not there.

http://www.mandalavermont.org/
by DrLang
Wed Jan 08, 2014 3:30 pm
Forum: Shingon
Topic: Shingon resources?
Replies: 18
Views: 9246

Re: Shingon resources?

If you're in New York and can make a road trip, you might consider going to visit Rev. Tanaka in Vermont. You might want to send him an email if you're interested because it looks like he's often not there.

http://www.mandalavermont.org/

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