Buddhism – Page 15 – kevinwarstadt.com

Quote of the day 07/12/23

Here’s a passage from the Bodhisattvacharyavataraa that I quite liked. “May I become a protector for the protectorless, A guide for those who travel on the road, And, for those who wish to cross the water, May I become a boat, a ship or a bridge. May I become an island for those seeking dryContinue reading “Quote of the day 07/12/23”

New Koan – Brother John and the tree

Here’s a fresh one for you: John stood next to an old oak. “Master,” he said. “I’ve been pondering this tree. I’ve come to understand that this tree and myself are one and the same.” “I’m afraid you’re mistaken, my son,” the master said. “This tree is my mother-in-law.” And he moonwalked away.

Today

As I sit in my car before work, listening to bird song, I think of what the day will bring. I know that I am very small. I will face challenges, but I should remember that things do not happen to me but merely happen. I have an opportunity today to do good. If IContinue reading “Today”

Quote of the day 06-29-23

Here’s one from Alan Watts. “Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.”

To be

What is it to live? To be a seedling, reaching for the sun.

Nansen kills the cat

Here is a koan that I quite like called Nansen kills the cat from the Mumonkan or The Gateless Gate. I have taken it from the dewdrop.org. Once the monks of the eastern and western Zen halls in Master Nansen’s temple were quarrelling about a cat. Nansen held up the cat and said, “You monks! If one ofContinue reading “Nansen kills the cat”

Koans

According to Google, a koan is “a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.” Here’s a fresh one for you. John put on his hat.He was surprised to find it was actually a dog.The master said, “It isn’t a dog or a hat.”“Oh,” said John. “I see.”