This article is based on a panel address given by the author at the International Seminar on India’s North Eastern Region and Buddhist Heritage held
A finger pointing at the moon The simple question of “What is a Buddha?” was raised in a casual discussion with a venerable Pure Land
In my previous article,* I introduced a method of reading Japanese Buddhist texts, especially writings by the Japanese Zen master Dōgen (1200–53).** Here, I would
Causes of rebirth in different realms With regard to my previous article* discussing the cause of assured rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land, many readers were surprised
Qianfo’an (千佛庵), the Temple of One Thousand Buddhas, better known as Xiaoxitian (小西天) or the Little Western Paradise, is located in present-day Xi County, Linfen
Mutual amazement at what the other does not find extraordinary is a situation I regularly encounter when speaking with monk dancers. They usually cannot believe
Accuracy in explaining the Buddha’s words In my previous three articles I emphasized that Pure Land Buddhism sees faith as an expedient means, while the
The mismatch between the “Name” and “meaning” Master Tanluan explained in the Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth: “What is meant by the idea that some do
Venture into remote places and you will find a joyful purity. During our recent summer fieldwork in Himachal Pradesh, northern India, we distributed copies of
Master Tanluan, an eminent Pure Land patriarch from the 6th century CE, wrote the Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth. He utilized and integrated many profound concepts
In this article, I would like to reflect on how to read Japanese Buddhist texts. To explain my strategies for approaching texts distant in time,
During a Hakomi* session some years ago, my lama Yeshe Wangmo asked me, “What would be a nourishing statement for you?” In this therapeutic context, dialogue
