We, humans, have experienced various sufferings throughout history from starvation to warfare to disease. Buddhism categorizes them as follows: Living (生苦, Jāti dukkha)Aging (老苦, Jarāpi dukha)Disease (病苦, Byādhipi dukkha)Death (死苦, Maraṇampi dukkha) Separating from someone we love (愛別離苦, Appiyehi dukkha)Meeting someone we don’t like (怨憎会苦, Piyehi dukkha)Can't get what we want (求不得苦, Yampiccha dukkhaCan't control … Continue reading Virtue, Mind, and Wisdom
Tag: #Buddhism
The Sword Taia
Takuan Sōhō (沢庵 宗彭) was one of the notable Japanese Zen monks in the 17th century. While he did not care about his socio-political status, his relationships with the sword-masters made him inevitably famous. He was also well-known as Miyamoto Musashi’s mentor. What made him mainly famous was a series of letters he wrote for … Continue reading The Sword Taia
The Word was with God, and the Word was God
Lao Tzu said, "The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth. The named is the mother of ten thousand things." We understand the world and the universe through a grid of language. It is definitely one of the valuable tools for ontology and epistemology. Only with this tool, we can ensure our existence and … Continue reading The Word was with God, and the Word was God
The World Passes Away
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, … Continue reading The World Passes Away
When You Walk, Walk
One time disciples asked the Buddha what could be the best practice to lead them to the complete peace of mind. They thought they would have to go through various challenges believing only such hardship could bring them to a supreme state. The Buddha’s answer, however, was counterintuitive. For example, one of the well-known Zen … Continue reading When You Walk, Walk
The Doors of Liberation
Starting the new year, we are supposed to come up with our new year resolutions. Pondering them, we are hoping to make our lives happier, healthier, and more meaningful, even prosperous. Living in this world and of this world, there is nothing wrong with these annual practices. Without planning, setting goals and objectives, drawing roadmaps, … Continue reading The Doors of Liberation
One Thing At A Time
Lao Tzu said: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It is from chapter 64 of Tao Te Ching, and one of the three similar statements. All three go this way: A tree that fills a man’s embrace grows from a seedling.A tower nine stories high starts with one brick.A journey … Continue reading One Thing At A Time
