Search found 51 matches

by Heterodox Garden
Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:07 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: The Arya Sanghata Sutra
Replies: 12
Views: 6750

Re: The Arya Sanghata Sutra

I believe it is a grave transgression to slander the Dharma, and as this text is Dharma, I can only bow to it with revence and respect. Nevertheless, from my limited viewpoint here in Samsara as a defiled being, I must admit there is much about this sutra that puzzles me. I seem to have failed to re...
by Heterodox Garden
Sat Sep 03, 2016 9:41 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pure Land Study Group Thread
Replies: 305
Views: 122587

Re: Honen Study group

I have that book, and at the risk of coming across as overly negative and churlish, I'm not sure how well it would go with a study group. While study of a master like Honen Shonin is never wasted, I can't help but feel it is in this case it is could easily turn into a slightly repetitive exercise. F...
by Heterodox Garden
Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:02 am
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Jokei's Monju Koshiki (Manjushri Litany)
Replies: 1
Views: 1075

Re: Jokei's Monju Koshiki (Manjushri Litany)

Oh what a treasure, thank you so much. There is so little on Jokei in English, particularly translations like this. David Quinter is a mavelous scholar and I highly recommend his work on the Risshu revival, Japanese Manjusri studies in general, Manjusri contemplative practices and texts, and the bra...
by Heterodox Garden
Sun Feb 21, 2016 5:10 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Chopping down trees and Buddhism
Replies: 79
Views: 15072

Re: Chopping down trees and Buddhism

There has always been a minority discomfort in Buddhism with the "all SENTIENT beings” vs "all beings" formulation, and where lines get drawn, and why, and so on. Buddhism posits the middle way and acknowledges we have to eat to live. Buddha tried to be an aescetic for a while but saw...
by Heterodox Garden
Wed Feb 17, 2016 4:39 am
Forum: Gelug
Topic: Oral Transmission of the Sutra of Golden Light
Replies: 13
Views: 4985

Re: Oral Transmission of the Sutra of Golden Light

Somebody with more experience in such things than I once told me the word "transmission" is a slippery one in Vajrayana, and that there are multiple types of "transmissions." For example (according to this source), one could use the word in a literal sense in Tibetan (i.e., someb...
by Heterodox Garden
Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:06 am
Forum: Gelug
Topic: Oral Transmission of the Sutra of Golden Light
Replies: 13
Views: 4985

Re: Oral Transmission of the Sutra of Golden Light

Before everyone gets carried away here, let me just say this: There are many, many, MANY threads on Dharma Wheel arguing about the status of lung, transmission, etc. regarding videos and recordings. In fact, some of them are among the most heated and the longest threads on this board. Most of them i...
by Heterodox Garden
Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:28 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Western Buddhists and the Precepts/Morality
Replies: 49
Views: 9743

Re: Western Buddhists and the Precepts/Morality

Thank you again for all the contributions to this thread. There have been a lot of good ones and this is exactly the sort of dialogue I wanted to stimulate. I appreciate every comment. :thumbsup: Unfortunately I don't have time at the moment to reply to everything, but two points in particular: The ...
by Heterodox Garden
Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:27 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Western Buddhists and the Precepts/Morality
Replies: 49
Views: 9743

Re: Western Buddhists and the Precepts/Morality

Thank you everyone for your contributions so far. I would like to start a dialogue on "Western" Buddhists.... I also think this is a very difficult concept for most Westerners to come to grips with.... Yet I see so many Westerners..... All this can be scary for Westerners... How can Wester...
by Heterodox Garden
Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:24 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Western Buddhists and the Precepts/Morality
Replies: 49
Views: 9743

Western Buddhists and the Precepts/Morality

I would like to start a dialogue on "Western" Buddhists (of course all true Buddhists are "just Buddhists," but this relates more specifically to those from non-Asian backgrounds, or who have grown up in Western nations) and the precepts. I think this is an important, yet also pr...
by Heterodox Garden
Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:50 pm
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Question for Shurangama Mantra Practitioners
Replies: 4
Views: 3239

Re: Question for Shurangama Mantra Practitioners

It'd be worth learning! It's long but if you just memorize it one line at a time and then read it along with a recording it won't be too difficult. The best way to learn the mudras is from a teacher for sure and by learning the mantra one would create the cause and condition for receiving these tea...
by Heterodox Garden
Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:09 am
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Question for Shurangama Mantra Practitioners
Replies: 4
Views: 3239

Re: Question for Shurangama Mantra Practitioners

Have you memorized the mantra ? No, but I'm consodering trying. Although it is considerably (rather intimidatingly) longer than nianfo/nenbutsu, with which I am more familiar. :D The rather limited reading I have done suggests that simply reciting the much shorter heart portion of the mantra also h...
by Heterodox Garden
Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:01 am
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Question for Shurangama Mantra Practitioners
Replies: 4
Views: 3239

Question for Shurangama Mantra Practitioners

Hello. I think some of you practice recitition of the Shurangama Mantra. I hold the both the Shurangama Sutra and Shurangama Samadhi Sutra in high regard, but I've never practiced the mantra from the former. I've seen the practice of Shurangama Mantra recitation explained in terms of Three Platforms...
by Heterodox Garden
Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:14 am
Forum: Kagyu
Topic: Mantra Liberation Through Hearing ("Ha Gan Ga")
Replies: 128
Views: 27013

Re: Mantra Liberation Through Hearing ("Ha Gan Ga")

Ah yes, the old "lung through recordings: possible or impossible" debate. A Dharmawheel favorite. I have noticed this being discussed repeatedly in multi-page threads on this board. I'm not even remotely qualified to opine on this one way or another, but an interesting argument in favor of...
by Heterodox Garden
Sun Jun 07, 2015 2:23 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: How effective are liberation-upon-seeing dharma doors?
Replies: 39
Views: 11545

Re: How effective are liberation-upon-seeing dharma doors?

1. Let us recall that as Buddhists we are not required to be textual fundamentalists in the Abrahamic religious mode. One may even, in my opinion at least, disagree with the validity of certain supposedly canonical Sutras and/or Tantras and still be a Buddhist, although some might disagree. 2) Aside...
by Heterodox Garden
Fri May 29, 2015 8:00 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: What do we have to be scared of?
Replies: 40
Views: 6163

What do we have to be scared of?

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by Heterodox Garden
Fri May 29, 2015 12:27 am
Forum: Engaged Buddhism
Topic: Corporate "Mindfulness".
Replies: 76
Views: 28761

Re: Corporate "Mindfulness".

This question is actually a subset of the larger question of how Buddhism interacts with the various worldly institutions in the societies in which it finds itself. Rinzai zen archery became a military technique in some very bloody medieval battles; Nichiren Buddhism became popular with the merchant...
by Heterodox Garden
Tue May 19, 2015 8:28 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Up for a brief stroll down some Confucian byways?
Replies: 2
Views: 1526

Re: Up for a brief stroll down some Confucian byways?

:thanks: Of the two home-grown Chinese traditions I prefer Taoism, but both have much to offer us and both complement Buddhism in their different ways. :namaste: Kim Thanks for the reply; I'm glad you can see the value of both Daoism and Confcianism for Buddhists. As you point out, at their best al...
by Heterodox Garden
Mon May 18, 2015 6:31 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Up for a brief stroll down some Confucian byways?
Replies: 2
Views: 1526

Up for a brief stroll down some Confucian byways?

I am a Buddhist like most of you are, but I maintain a strong interest in Confucianism...Personally I like reading Confucian thought for a rereshing change sometimes, especiially after spending time (however delightful) with some of the more "visionary" Mahayana writings. I find it groundi...
by Heterodox Garden
Sun May 17, 2015 3:31 am
Forum: Dharma Stories
Topic: Have you considered a real chess play
Replies: 6
Views: 4262

Re: Have you considered a real chess play

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by Heterodox Garden
Wed May 13, 2015 3:16 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: oddball question - Shinran movie soundtrack
Replies: 14
Views: 17880

Re: oddball question - Shinran movie soundtrack

I'm very surprised there is a 2-hour anime about Shinransama. Wow. You learn something new every day.

I have a strong (and perhaps irrational) bias against anime but I might have to make an exception for this one. Thanks OP.

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