As I read the Bodhisattvacharyavataraa, one thing that I struggle with is the notion that we should avoid attachments to people. Though attachments to people may make the path to enlightenment more difficult, are these attachments not the the things that give our lives meaning? Is it not better to train oneself to maintain attachmentsContinue reading “On Attachment To People”
Tag Archives: Buddhism
Quote of the day 07/14/23
Here’s one that I thought was quite funny from the Bodhisattvacharyavataraa. (After being hit with a stick) “The physical suffering I experience Is caused by both the stick and my body; But, since the stick comes from my assailant and the body from me, With which of these should I get angry?” Imagine someone hittingContinue reading “Quote of the day 07/14/23”
Quote of the day 07/13/23
Here’s another from the Bodhisattvacharyavataraa. Interesting echo of Seneca. “There is no evil greater than anger, And no virtue greater than patience. Therefore, I should strive in various ways To become familiar with the practice of patience.”
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.”
