Dharma Wheel

Hsuan Hua: "Homosexuals exist due in part to the influence of a certain religion. This religion used to be underground and did not dare to promote homosexuality openly, but now that we're in an age where Dharma is on the decline, all kinds of strange phenomenon are happening." What religio...

Again, there is a difference between stating an opinion and stating such horrible things as is quoted. One wonders if he would have supported the "god hates fags" group who claim all disasters in the world come from homosexuality? One can skirt around the issue and say he was "conserv...

There was an old thread on the now defunct E-Sangha as I recall which had a similar topic and some posters were saying that many of these alleged sayings and quotes that are propped up even on sites promoting the late Master's teachings are 'unverifiable' and best to contact the main monastery site...

His ideas on Homosexuality are extreme but also common in the sense that they were culturally conditioned. But his idea of dharma was really scary: ''How should we cultivate? We must first let go of our desires and put and end to love. That is, people should avoid having too close or too distant of...

Shocked, and disappointed, especially since he is referred to as a Bodhissatva by some. Imagine how many may have been turned away from the Dharma from hearing such horrible words? It's one thing to have an opinion on homosexuality, as the Dalai Lama has been known to state, but these words are just...

Have to say I was quite shocked to read all of this.... "Homosexual behavior, especially, is behavior that will put an end to nations and humanity. What does it mean by putting an end to nations? Someone who practices homosexuality will not care about their country, so that country will disinte...

Hello, I've been reading some of Lama Zopa Rinpoche's teachings lately and find them quite insightful. Recently I've read about the power and benefits of the Dharmakaya Relic Mantras, and there is even a file on the FPMT website in small font to print them out. Seeing as I do not have a stupa to put...

I have not been able to find any history or descriptions in regards to this mantra other than it is "wish fulfilling", and it is put over doorways.
Does anyone have any information on this?

Qian Zheng Yi wrote:I am praying for you

May all involved have compassion, understanding and healing

Thank you so much for your compassionate response. I return the favor!

I'm in the same boat, so to speak. :-) I live in Austin, TX. I contacted the Dallas Amitabha society looking for guidance. I only found one monastic who wanted to discuss with me but she was essentially not interested in Pure Land. She was moving on to esoteric practices. The Chinese temples I've b...

For healing of a relationship being obstructed by addictions and failings. May all involved have compassion, understanding and healing

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha
Om Mani Padme Hung

I'm not familiar with that approach in Jodo Shinshu. There's a nice BCA center in Berkeley... On the "trendiness" of Zen and Tibetan temples: are you speaking from experience here, or are you working from assumptions? Not all Zen or Tibetan (or Pure Land) temples feel the same... From wha...

Ryoto wrote:Try finding a Jodo Shinshu temple. You might have some luck there.

Yes, I've thought of that, but from what I've read of their teachings their thoughts on Amitabha being a myth do not really correspond to what I have studied.

What would the role of "meditation" be in say, a Vietnamese temple?
I understand they are not strictly "Pure Land". I guess I just meant there is a belief and chanting of Amitabha.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against "ethnic" temples and understand they serve a purpose. I am in San Francisco. I've been once to a temple which is part of Master Hsuan's lineage. I participated in one of their daily repentance ceremonies, all of which was in Chinese. I followed al...

"Ordinary people generally think that if the Pure Land is Mind-Only, then it does not exist. This is the understanding of demons and externalists. Such a deluded view, which appears correct but is in reality wrong, affects more than half of all people and causes practitioners to forfeit true be...

I am curious if there are any Pureland westerners on here? Having practiced on my on for more than a year now, I've been hesitant to visit some of the temples which tend to be more "ethnic" (I am caucasian, and do not speak Chinese or Vietnamese). It seems to me most of the temples which ...

I am curious if there are any Pureland westerners on here? Having practiced on my on for more than a year now, I've been hesitant to visit some of the temples which tend to be more "ethnic" (I am caucasian, and do not speak Chinese or Vietnamese). It seems to me most of the temples which c...

I have heard it said that Buddha Shakyamuni discouraged any images of him to be made, but have never seen any references for this.
If there was such a declaration, how has it happened that there are so many images of him honored in nearly every tradition?