Clara: Hello Paul, thanks for your kind reply.
I am the same Clara that you know as Rev Clara (last name), Sensei, from (Buddhist organization), disciple of Master (X).
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Hi Clara. Of course I remember you. (more…)
Shin Buddhism as been called the easy path to Buddhahood. And it IS easy.
It’s so easy, that Shinran and his teacher Honen were able to share this easy path simply and effectively with unlettered people who were the outcasts of their day. Their sharing of this path opened the door to Buddhahood for many of the most unlikely, and most confused. (more…)
If you haven’t yet gotten the big picture view, either of Buddha’s basic teachings, nor Shinran’s exposition of Buddha’s final teaching, hang in there, while we unpack it.
This teaching of the Buddha, about the easy path to Buddhahood, has been waiting for your attention, for longer than you can possibly know. (more…)
Sujeewa (Suki): I was wondering if I should say this or not, but I think its better said than not said. The Budda said …”One shall not harm any other living being nor Harm oneself.” It creates great Negative Karma. It was his first precept and a very important one to be put as the very first one too. It only takes one away from the path to Nibbana or Salvation or in becoming a Budda, or Arahanth.
I hope you knew about this.
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Hi Suki -
Yes, indeed I did know about the Buddha’s first precept. This comment of yours strikes right to the heart of YOUR existential dilemma as much as mine, and my daughter’s – even though she took her own life, and you have not done such a thing.
Let me explain – because this is exactly the point of Shin Buddhist teaching. (more…)
Suki: The best I can do for u is let u know what we in this part of the world do to get over such grief! U might find some kind of peace and be able to move on.
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Thanks for your kind words, Suki. They deserve my best efforts to respond.
The good news is, I have gotten over my grief - and so has Jessie’s younger sister. Why? Because Jessie checked in, leaving her sister and me fully assured that she is alive and well - and a Buddha at last. (more…)
The Buddha’s agenda (so he said) was to understand suffering, and to end suffering once and for all. If you share his essential concern, only one thing is required.
What’s that? The willingness to listen deeply – with your whole being – to the final teaching he gave. (more…)
UGLY means plain talk, in plain English, about what Buddha called TOPIC A - the most important in the world.
For Buddha, that topic is suffering, and the end of suffering.
YOUR suffering, MY suffering, and OUR suffering - the macro view (of the world’s suffering), and the micro view (of our individual suffering) - with the dots all connected by Buddha’s singular, profound understanding. (more…)
Originally an email I wrote in November 2004, this is a wonderful true story. It’s hard to read, emotionally - but has the most amazing ending imaginable.
Reading it has changed lives - forever.
It contains, in capsule form, everything you always wanted to know about ending your suffering and becoming a Buddha - but didn’t know to ask. (more…)