Search found 88 matches

by tonysharp
Mon Jan 22, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Thank you, DharmaWheel. It's been a wild ride.
Replies: 2
Views: 385

Thank you, DharmaWheel. It's been a wild ride.

Looking back on my long spiritual journey, the Buddha’s practices have definitely worked. When I first started on the Theravada path, it didn’t feel like much was changing. Twelve years later, I’m a different person; I’m calmer and more sensitive to people’s needs. However, the anxiety was still the...
by tonysharp
Wed May 05, 2021 5:22 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Practices to Control Pessimistic Feelings
Replies: 32
Views: 3202

Re: Practices to Control Pessimistic Feelings

I really appreciate the practicality of the suggestions posted here. Thank you all. Even if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, picking up a Buddhist text, so importantly a Sutra, can help you greatly! You’re absolutely right. I’ve been reading the Book of Verses in the Samyutta Nikaya, and ...
by tonysharp
Sun May 02, 2021 12:13 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Practices to Control Pessimistic Feelings
Replies: 32
Views: 3202

Practices to Control Pessimistic Feelings

I struggle with depression and anxiety. As far as I can tell, both stem from my pessimism. I often overthink the pain in the world, and reflect on the life, eventual death, and separation of myself and those close to me. Which practices can be utilized to control these obstructive feelings? Or how c...
by tonysharp
Tue Feb 09, 2021 3:36 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: why is theravada section hosted on a separate website
Replies: 17
Views: 1524

Re: why is theravada section hosted on a separate website

I believe the Theravada site actually came first. Once upon a time in a universe far far away there was a Grey Forum which served all Buddhist schools equally but suffered significant internal friction because the differences between the schools were so wide. Eventually it burst into flame (like th...
by tonysharp
Tue Jun 18, 2019 11:38 pm
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: What a buddhist tradition did you choose and why?
Replies: 46
Views: 12428

Re: What a buddhist tradition did you choose and why?

I chose Jodo Shinshu and Soto Zen; I may settle with the latter. Previously, I was with the Theravada because I was led to believe that it was the most authentic. Teachers can paint a rosy picture of their particular school, which may, or may not, be the best fit. When choosing a school this time, I...
by tonysharp
Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:31 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: Female Buddhas in the texts
Replies: 8
Views: 2581

Re: Female Buddhas in the texts

The Devadatta chapter of the lotus sutra a female achieves instant and perfect enlightenment. After she transforms into a man endowed with the "thirty-two marks." She's still referred to as "her" afterwards, however. You need to dig into Korean zen lineage texts for this informa...
by tonysharp
Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:11 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?
Replies: 20
Views: 5635

Re: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?

First of all, I am very sympathetic with your reaction to the sutra, and wonder that many may share the same feeling. Apparently, a lot of people do. The opening chapters of Introduction to the Lotus Sutra by Yoshiro Tamura attempts to ease the concerns others have had. It's been a good read. His c...
by tonysharp
Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:24 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?
Replies: 20
Views: 5635

Re: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?

Based on the interpretation your feelings are quite valid. I interpret it a bit differently myself, but I did so through the commentary not through direct study. This seems to be a common approach for this text. In this manner it doesn't invalidate the other teachings but puts them in context to a ...
by tonysharp
Sun Jun 16, 2019 2:45 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: Female Buddhas in the texts
Replies: 8
Views: 2581

Re: Female Buddhas in the texts

Ayu wrote: Sun Jun 16, 2019 11:34 am Sutra of Arya Tara

http://www.fpmtabc.org/download/sutra/S ... _fears.pdf

More answers about Tara sutras here:

viewtopic.php?t=22712
Excellent.

Thank you.

:namaste:
by tonysharp
Sun Jun 16, 2019 3:31 am
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: Female Buddhas in the texts
Replies: 8
Views: 2581

Female Buddhas in the texts

Hi everyone,

Which texts feature female Buddhas, or women who attain Buddhahood in their female form?

Your responses would be appreciated.
by tonysharp
Sun Jun 16, 2019 1:28 am
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?
Replies: 20
Views: 5635

Re: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?

I appreciate your replies.

:namaste:
by tonysharp
Fri Jun 14, 2019 4:10 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?
Replies: 20
Views: 5635

Re: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?

tkp67 wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 1:33 pm I am curious to why are you conflicted?
I probably shouldn't say... :emb: But I'll say it. To put it politely, the text doesn't seem to teach very much other than how great the text itself is. Admittedly, I haven't read all of it. Maybe I wasn't patient enough.
by tonysharp
Fri Jun 14, 2019 7:25 am
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?
Replies: 20
Views: 5635

What appeals to you about the Lotus Sutra?

How were you introduced to it? Do you have a favorite teaching, quote, or chapter? How often do you read or recite it? I have a very conflicted relationship with this text, and I'm looking to learn more about its appeal.
by tonysharp
Thu Jun 13, 2019 3:37 am
Forum: Zen
Topic: anti-"Hinayana" bias in Zen (and Mahayana in general)
Replies: 168
Views: 32653

Re: anti-"Hinayana" bias in Zen (and Mahayana in general)

I suspect that the different schools exist because they serve different needs. Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata, the founder of BDK, agreed: "The Buddhist canon is said to contain eighty-four thousand different teachings. I believe that this is because the Buddha’s basic approach was to prescribe a diffe...
by tonysharp
Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:11 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: Which translation of the Diamond Sutra would you recommend?
Replies: 17
Views: 6693

Re: Which translation of the Diamond Sutra would you recommend?

This interlinear translation by Venerable Yifa, M. C. Owens, and P. M. Romaskiewicz with associated commentary (I'm not sure the author of the commentary, though) might be of interest to you if you are a fellow language nerd. http://ntireader.org/taisho/t0235.html I am, indeed, a language nerd. :D ...
by tonysharp
Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:06 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: Favorite Sutra?
Replies: 31
Views: 8097

Re: Favorite Sutra?

I forgot that Rulu translated many (but not all) of the Avatamsaka . This link will give you much background about the HuaYen writings & tradition: http://www.sutrasmantras.info/introbook5.html Rulu also translated chapters 40 & 38 which you can find under the Sutras section of the website....
by tonysharp
Wed Jun 12, 2019 8:33 pm
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Choosing between Chan, Zen, Jìngtǔzōng, and Jōdo Shinshū
Replies: 28
Views: 8046

Re: Choosing between Chan, Zen, Jìngtǔzōng, and Jōdo Shinshū

For Shin reading, Shinran Works is probably already in your list but worth mentioning. :cheers: I've found an occasional lack of clarity around Shinran's (and Honen's) teaching in third-party sources. Reading Honen and Shinran directly makes me want to say nembutsu rather than think about it. With ...
by tonysharp
Wed Jun 12, 2019 3:05 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: From Theravāda to Mahāyāna to Jōdo Shinshū
Replies: 0
Views: 1542

From Theravāda to Mahāyāna to Jōdo Shinshū

For those who could benefit, here are the five books that facilitated and eventually finalized my transition from Theravāda to Mahāyāna to Jōdo Shinshū. The video interview with Rev. Kenji Akahoshi was also quite helpful. To everyone here who offered support, advice, and useful information over the ...
by tonysharp
Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:11 pm
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Choosing between Chan, Zen, Jìngtǔzōng, and Jōdo Shinshū
Replies: 28
Views: 8046

Re: Choosing between Chan, Zen, Jìngtǔzōng, and Jōdo Shinshū

Since you were a Theravadin at one time and appear to like all the schools of Buddhism ... I so wish this was true since it would've made the past month much easier for me. I'm actually quite particular. But I've found a branch to settle with, Jodo Shinshu. Nembutsu is similar to my Theravadin budd...
by tonysharp
Tue Jun 11, 2019 1:54 pm
Forum: East Asian Buddhism
Topic: Choosing between Chan, Zen, Jìngtǔzōng, and Jōdo Shinshū
Replies: 28
Views: 8046

Re: Choosing between Chan, Zen, Jìngtǔzōng, and Jōdo Shinshū

Here is another source for Shin Dharma talks. Their head priest is one of my favorites for Shin dharma talks in particular. I subscribed. Thank you! Is there an easier way? I find the easiest way is to not put much concern on inserting yourself into some particular school and just practice whatever...

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