Thomas Merton – Sexuality and Spiritual Denial
I have always found the deep split between the spiritual and sexual in nearly all religions, including the Buddhism I practice, very troubling. While it’s possible to argue that Buddhism has less of this than Judeo-Christian traditions, I’m still convinced that there’s a gap in the teachings that has lead to an enormous amount of confusion, condemnation, and suffering. And I don’t think it’s necessary to be a monastic in order to experience these gaps – no one, I think, is really immune.
Land of the Hanging Monastery: The Buddhist Treasures of China Part 3
In Part 3 of the Buddhist Treasure sof China series, Vincent Ross visits The Hanging Monastery, Yungang Caves, Wooden Pagoda and the Nine Dragon Wall. He also explores how Buddhism first came to China.
100,000 Buddhas – The Buddhist Treasures of China Part 2
Even now, there are parts of China that remain mysterious to foreigners. Until recently, foreigners knew little of China’s Buddhist temples, shrines and grottoes. Vincent Ross takes us on a trip into the Buddhist heart of China, including a visit to the caves which hold 100,000 images of Buddha.
The Buddhist Treasures of China – Part I
Many people believe Buddhism does not survive in modern China, but in Vincent Ross’ three-part photo essay he reveals China’s Buddhist temples, grottoes, shines and other little-known cultural touchstones.
The Valley Girls Take On Buddhism
Nathan wrote a blog post about Valley Girls (remember them?) and Buddhism and soon discovered that all kinds of people read his blog, including Valley Girls.
This Body Will Be a Corpse
When t-shirts and other products carry words of profound wisdom, is this a good thing or is it just that thing consumerism does — turning every last word, object, and experience into a product for purchase?
My Buddhist Practice Meets the Specter of Death by Cancer
When Rick Bateman discovers a tumor in his leg and faces the prospect of cancer and possibly death, he explores the nature of his suffering and is reunited with the premise of Buddhism.
Learning Buddhism: Getting Beyond Paradox And Confusion
If you try to learn Buddhism with a purely Western philosophical mindset, you are using the same rigid frame approach as the physicists. As Rick Bateman explains, Buddhism is both an art and a science and can’t be approached a purely rational mindset.
The Buddhist View Of Life As A Dream
It is often heard from Buddhist teachers that this life is nothing more than a dream and awakening, no different in either case. Having studied lucid dreaming in a dedicated way for about two years Rick Bateman would have to agree. So if we can become lucid in our dreams, can we awaken to the dream of so-called real life?
The Garage from Hell and its Gifts
Sometimes it’s only when the old structures are torn down that the space for new possibilities emerges. Nathan Thompson finds life lessons in the demolition of an old garage.
