Search found 1260 matches

by rory
Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:30 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Now is the time to Practice! chant Nembutsu
Replies: 0
Views: 1775

Now is the time to Practice! chant Nembutsu

With the spread of COVID-19, now is the time to practice. If you have cancelled your meetings, chant Nembutsu, if you have cancelled your social event - chant Nembutsu, if you are home feeling frightened - chant Nembutsu. Use this opportunity to reflect on impermanence, interdependence and make your...
by rory
Fri Mar 06, 2020 1:41 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: The role of truth in Buddhism?
Replies: 278
Views: 41775

Re: The role of truth in Buddhism?

They are simultaneous, but Malcolm, don't start criticizing Zhiyi if you cannot read Chinese, haven't studied Maka Shikan or early intellectual currents in Chinese Buddhism it is foolish... gassho Rory Hi Rory, Fine, then don't defend Zhiyi unless you can read Chinese, etc. You know what they say, ...
by rory
Thu Mar 05, 2020 11:58 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: The role of truth in Buddhism?
Replies: 278
Views: 41775

Re: The role of truth in Buddhism?

This is removed from practice, but read Brook Ziporyn's H-net book review of Paul Swanson's translation of Zhiyi's great work Maka Shikan , Mohe Zhiguan Clear Serenity; Quiet Insight Below is an extract: This way of reading the section shows us all the more how right Zhanran was to think that this ...
by rory
Thu Mar 05, 2020 9:38 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: The role of truth in Buddhism?
Replies: 278
Views: 41775

Re: The role of truth in Buddhism?

This is removed from practice, but read Brook Ziporyn's H-net book review of Paul Swanson's translation of Zhiyi's great work Maka Shikan , Mohe Zhiguan Clear Serenity; Quiet Insight Below is an extract: This way of reading the section shows us all the more how right Zhanran was to think that this i...
by rory
Sun Mar 01, 2020 11:36 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Buddha Mindfulness Methods
Replies: 8
Views: 3360

Re: Buddha Mindfulness Methods

I've been practicing Pure Land for approximately 20 years and the best method for me was to count nembutsu on beads: a classic Chinese mala or Japanese Ojuzu. One round is plenty and actually when I began it was rather like agony to finish. Seeing the beads reminds you to do it, and when you have c...
by rory
Sun Mar 01, 2020 5:18 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Decreased interest in Tantric practice
Replies: 88
Views: 21486

Re: Decreased interest in Tantric practice

Maybe you need a bit of a break? Why not visit a Vietnamese or Chinese temple around you.They're basically Chan/Zen-Pure Land: meditation and chanting. Pretty straight-forward, plus the visuals are less intense and you're around more laid-back born Buddhists.
gassho
Rory
by rory
Thu Feb 27, 2020 9:06 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: The 'Reality" of the Pure Land and Amida
Replies: 10
Views: 3424

Re: The 'Reality" of the Pure Land and Amida

I am a devoted Tendai Pure Land practitioner this quote is from the Robert F. Rhodes's book on Genshin: Genshin's Ojoyoshu and the Construction of Pure Land Discourse in Heian Japan Genshin was the famous Pure Land Master in the Tendai sect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genshin Even while remaining...
by rory
Tue Feb 18, 2020 8:10 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: newcomer question
Replies: 5
Views: 2719

Re: newcomer question

layme, not a Zen practitioner but it sounds to me like Jodo Shinshu would be a good fit for you; it's like the flip side of Zen - a radical letting go.In your circumstances the emphasis on radical reliance on other-power of Shin might be beneficial. The famous D. T. Suzuki wrote a book all about thi...
by rory
Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:20 am
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Learning the Dharma and the limits of Buddhism
Replies: 17
Views: 4085

Re: Learning the Dharma and the limits of Buddhism

1.If you don't believe in reincarnation and don't believe that the Buddha is the axis of Buddhism you should be posting in Open Dharma this is really not the place. 2. If you want to understand Buddhist philosophy you have to do the work. I suggest you go to the library and read something like this:...
by rory
Sun Feb 16, 2020 10:46 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pure Land mystycism
Replies: 19
Views: 5491

Re: Pure Land mystycism

I'm glad you feel better. One thing that I do know that will help you is to find a teacher, whether Jodo Shu or Jodo Shinshu. I know from experience as 22 years ago a Jodo Shu monk was my teacher ( we were in different cities and I telephoned and we wrote letters) he helped me to understand and shar...
by rory
Sun Feb 16, 2020 12:05 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pure Land mystycism
Replies: 19
Views: 5491

Re: Pure Land mystycism

Perhaps my Zen background also plays some role in all of that, but I am most certain that what I am looking for is some sort of mystical union with Infinite Light and I don't really feel that there is much emphasis on that aspect in Jodo Shu and Shinshu. You might consider schools beyond Jodoshu an...
by rory
Sat Feb 15, 2020 2:17 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Are madhyamaka and yogacara considered schools of buddhism?
Replies: 63
Views: 10448

Re: Are madhyamaka and yogacara considered schools of buddhism?

But it does seem that in East Asia, though the lines are not clearly drawn, there was some differentiation into "Schools"at some point in history. I admit to very little understanding of East Asian Buddhist history. In fact Chinese "schools" are probably more fluid than Tibetan ...
by rory
Sat Feb 15, 2020 2:16 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Are madhyamaka and yogacara considered schools of buddhism?
Replies: 63
Views: 10448

Re: Are madhyamaka and yogacara considered schools of buddhism?

But it does seem that in East Asia, though the lines are not clearly drawn, there was some differentiation into "Schools"at some point in history. I admit to very little understanding of East Asian Buddhist history. In fact Chinese "schools" are probably more fluid than Tibetan ...
by rory
Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:39 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Practices to benefit animals
Replies: 29
Views: 5011

Re: Practices to benefit animals

OK, will get a copy and chant and dedicate. Follow up question: If the kitty has Buddhanature, does that mean he can meditate? That's wonderful, practicing to benefit other beings is so compassionaate :twothumbsup: This if from Ch. 12 the Devadatta chapter from the Lotus Sutra and the famous story ...
by rory
Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:24 am
Forum: Suggestion Box
Topic: Subforum Buddhist Art
Replies: 14
Views: 10519

Re: Subforum Buddhist Art

I would love such a forum. Gandharan art, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean would all be wonderful.
gassho
Rory
by rory
Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:54 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Are madhyamaka and yogacara considered schools of buddhism?
Replies: 63
Views: 10448

Re: Are madhyamaka and yogacara considered schools of buddhism?

They were schools, but as living traditions go they are essentially extinct. Their relevance continues today though, as they provide the buildings blocks for many, if not all, of the modern schools that exist as living traditions today. Actually the Japanese Hosso (Yogacarya) school, Hosso Shu , ex...
by rory
Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:44 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Practices to benefit animals
Replies: 29
Views: 5011

Re: Practices to benefit animals

Thank you for sharing this. We have a couple of rescues who have really helped me understand the value/nature of sentience outside human form (as well as the existence leading to this point). It seems to me the very fantastic expanse of the LS has a very palpable foundation in every day life that e...
by rory
Thu Feb 13, 2020 3:24 am
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Practices to benefit animals
Replies: 29
Views: 5011

Re: Practices to benefit animals

It surprises me that no one has mentioned the Lotus Sutra. In the famous ch. 25 Kannon-sama (Kuanyin, Avalokitesvara) promises that she will take the form of any kind of animal to preach the Dharma to them. So pray to Kannon-sama for your pet, chant ch. 25 of the Lotus Sutra with faith and devotion....
by rory
Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:38 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Which school...?
Replies: 20
Views: 6311

Re: Which school...?

Just reposting this from higher up in the thread. In light of a posting in another forum... The Japanese Tendai ( Ch: Tiantai) school, the Lotus Sutra school, is a multi-practice school: meditation, sutra study, Pure Land, esoteric practices are all done I'm a Pure Lander with a big devotion to Kann...
by rory
Tue Jan 28, 2020 1:24 am
Forum: Tendai
Topic: Bhaisajyaguru and Liberation.
Replies: 24
Views: 6637

Re: Bhaisajyaguru and Liberation.

For those who may not know Tendai is a multipractice school. It is based on the Lotus Sutra and encompasses meditation, sutra study, Pure Land and Esoteric Buddhism. In fact the famous Japanese schools of Rinzai Zen, Soto Zen, Jodo Shu, Jodo Shinshu (pure land schools) and Nichiren were all started ...

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