Category: Buddhism
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The Flow of (non)Self: Death and Rebirth
When a person dies, the flow simply continues. The feeling or idea that a particular person died is an illusion—at least from the point of view that there is no “I am” or self. To say that the person has substantially changed when dead would be like saying that a wave rising and falling is…
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The Edge of Transformation: Wrestling with the Transition from Knowing to Doing
“Just jump in! The water feels exhilarating”, my best friends shouted up at me as I eyed the chilly surface of the water. I finally jumped in, and my friends were right. Looking out from the 50-degree water the world appeared a little different. Not just because I had done something that my body protested…
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Do you think prayers, ceremonies, and rituals are useless? Prayer in Buddhism
I was reading Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh and the following passage made the Buddhist view of prayer very clear. Old Path White Clouds is a beautifully written historical-fiction of Buddha’s life. Leading up to the scene that caught my attention, Gautama has already found the way to enlightenment and has become…
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War and Hate from a Buddhist Rebirth Point of View
I was at my weekly group meditation session when the topic of rebirth surfaced. There was not enough time to explore the topic in much depth, but the venerable participating in the discussion pointed out a fairly obvious implication if one believes in rebirth. If rebirth is true, then one should never participate in violence.…
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A Secular Interpretation of Past Lives in Buddhism
During a recent group meditation session at the Buddhist temple I attend, a question arose regarding the nature of the seemingly random thoughts that often emerge during meditation. The questioner referred to these thoughts as “illusory,” prompting the venerable nun leading the meditation to ask, “How do you know these are illusory thoughts?” This exchange…
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How To Get Started Reading Buddhist Texts
Introduction to Buddhist texts: Buddhism, one of the world’s major religions, is often defined by its ancient and extensive collection of sacred texts, which provide the foundation for its beliefs, practices, and philosophies. Just as the Bible is to Christianity, or the Quran is to Islam, Buddhist texts are revered as a guiding light for…
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A Survey of Music and Chants in Buddhist Sects
Introduction Buddhism, known for its remarkable diversity with various sects, each possessing its own unique musical and chant traditions, presents a fascinating interplay of music and spirituality. Against the backdrop of the Buddha’s critical stance towards music, this article explores how music and chants hold significance within the practice of Buddhism. As we traverse the…
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What Did Buddha Say About Music? A Look at Early Buddhist Music
This article will provide a brief historical perspective on the role of music during Siddhartha Gautama’s lifetime and its influence on the early Buddhist community, offering insights into the roots of musical practices within Buddhism. I. Introduction During the lifetime of Siddhartha Gautama, whom we now know as the Buddha, the world was a very…
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Detachment: A Path to Fulfillment and Compassion
I. Introduction II. The Essence of Detachment III. Detachment in Everyday Life IV. The Compassionate Heart of Detachment V. Dispelling Misconceptions VI. Detachment in Relationships VII. Detachment and Society VIII. Practical Steps Towards Detachment IX. Conclusion X. Additional Resources Introduction to Detachment (non-clinging) Picture this: You’re standing at the edge of a serene lake, the…
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Prayer: it’s why I lost faith
Perhaps like many who have left Christianity or other theistic religions, I found that prayer was a major reason I could no longer believe. I was raised in a non-denominational Christian church. My parents fought every Sunday to get four kids to church by 8am. We had morning breakfast, children’s church, worship songs, and the…