Article for Which I was Interviewed for Published. Plus, All Beings are Buddha

All beings are by nature Buddha, as ice by nature is water.Apart from water there is no ice;apart from beings, no Buddha-Hakuin Zenji, "Song of Zazen"James: On another note the article that I was interviewed for was published in the Hartford Courant newspaper in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Here is the full text:Worship on the WebBy Phil HallApril 5, 2007The late Quaker theologian D. Elton Trueblood said evangelism "is not a professional job for a few trained men but is instead the unrelenting responsibility...

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Tibetan Monks not Bothered by Mandala Destruction

May 25, 2007 KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The little boy spotted the pile of colored sand and couldn't resist. Slipping under a protective rope, he danced all over the sand, ruining the carefully crafted picture. Never mind that it was the creation of Tibetan monks who had spent two days on the floor of Union Station, meticulously pouring the sand into an intricate design as an expression of their Buddhist faith. They were more than halfway done with the design -- called a mandala -- on Tuesday...

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The Metamorphasis of Buddhism Strengthens the Global Sangha

Whenever Buddhism has taken root in a new land there has always been a certain variation in the style in which it is observed. The Buddha himself taught differently according to the place, the occasion, the situation of those who were listening to him. So, all of us have the responsibility to take the essence of Buddhism and put it into practice in our own lives.~ His Holiness the Dalai LamaJames: There is so much discussion over Buddhism in the west. There are many from the East who feel that they...

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We are Pure Awareness

You are not your body.Your body is not you.You are not the doer.You are not the enjoyer.You are pure awareness,The witness of all things.You are without expectation,Free.Wherever you go,Be happy!-Ashtavakra Gita 15:4James: I find so much deep wisdom in the Ashtavakra Gita--it is undoubtedly one of the most inspired teachings I've ever read and meditated upon. It blows me away how much of this wisdom is just as important (if not more so) now as it was way back then.Being the witness allows objectivity--being...

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All is Buddha

Each form, each particle, is a Buddha. One form is all Buddhas. All forms, all particles, are all Buddhas. All forms, sounds, scents, feelings, and phenomena are also like this, each filling all fields.-Pai-changJames: This quote reminds me of one of my favorite poems by the Venerable Lama Gendun RinpocheHappiness cannot be foundthrough great effort and willpower,but is already present, in open relaxation and letting go.Don't strain yourself,there is nothing to do or undo.Whatever momentarily arises...

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Lead a Good Life

Whether you believe in God or not does not matter so much, whether you believe in Buddha or not does not matter so much. You must lead a good life.-His Holiness the Dalai LamaJames: I thought that this was a good quote to wrap up the discussion from the last post on Buddhism and Atheism.It reminds me of another thing that the Dalai Lama said. He said that one does not have to be a Buddhist to understand and receive benefits from the Dharma. Just as we do not have to be a Christian to benefit from...

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Buddhism and Atheism

As a Buddhist (if you are) do you also consider yourself an Atheist as well? I guess it depends on how technical you want to get.Technically Buddhists are Atheists because we do not believe in a God or Savior--we are our own Saviors. The Buddha was not a God but rather was a highly intelligent man who mapped out a path to great and everlasting peace whether in good times or bad.Being a Buddhist Atheist, however, does NOT--I repeat--does NOT mean that Buddhists are nihilistic (and I do not meant...

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Is There Anything Lacking?

At this moment, is there anything lacking? Nirvana is right here now before our eyes. This place is the lotus land. This body now is the Buddha. --Hakuin~Peace to all bein...

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