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August 2018

August 09, 2018

Hardship and Pleasure

This is a passage from a teaching by Master Han Shan called "The Maxims." What,...

July 2018

July 26, 2018

Stealing Our Attention

People indignantly condemn thieves to steal material goods. I worry about the kind of thief...

July 12, 2018

The Hard Way

The easy path is always so appealing. So why do I prefer the hard way?...

June 2018

June 28, 2018

Those Who Listen to Our Advice

"We all have a tendency to like those who listen to our advice and to...

June 14, 2018

Be An Example

They best way to convert other people to the Dharma Way, is to convert yourself...

May 2018

May 31, 2018

Ever Increasing Appetites

"People crave sensory stimulation. They enjoy this kind of external excitement. But I consider such...

May 17, 2018

Keep Natural Disasters in Mind

A natural disaster, a so-called Act of God, doesn’t discriminate between its victims. It damages...

May 08, 2018

Too Many Worldly Burdens

If a man carries too many worldly burdens, his body will soon wear out. If...

May 03, 2018

Dirty Hands

In polite society everybody notices if a man’s hands are dirty. He’ll be stared at...

April 2018

April 24, 2018

Wealth and Fame

This is a passage from a teaching by Master Han Shan called "The Maxims." What...

April 20, 2018

A Dream and a Zen Story

I had a very vivid dream recently. In the dream I was leading a retreat. I...

April 18, 2018

Shortcuts

This is a passage from a teaching by Master Han Shan called "The Maxims." People...

April 16, 2018

The Mountain of Wisdom

This is a passage from a teaching by Master Han Shan called "The Maxims." It...

April 12, 2018

Han Shan on Material Objects

This is a passage from a teaching by Master Han Shan called "The Maxims." Why...

April 05, 2018

The Heart’s Weather

This is a passage from a teaching by Master Han Shan called "The Maxims." The...

March 2018

March 20, 2018

Rough and Tumbling Stream

True Dharma seekers who live in the world use their daily activity as a polishing...

March 05, 2018

Silly Mountain: Han Shan Deqing

Han Shan Deqing (1546-1623) is an important figure from the history of Ch'an Buddhism who...

March 01, 2018

Sometimes I Think About Old Ikkyu

Sometimes I think about old Ikkyu. A lifetime spent as a Zen renegade. A teacher certified...

October 2017

October 25, 2017

Mirror of Zen: Part 5

39. When studying Sutras, if you don't reflect on your true nature at the same...

October 23, 2017

Mirror of Zen: Part 4

29. If you know that thoughts are illusions then you're already free. What need is...

October 19, 2017

Mirror of Zen: Part 3

17. Meditation practice is like tuning strings. It shouldn't be too light or too loose....

October 15, 2017

Mirror of Zen: Part 2

The words of the Buddha are like a bow, the words of the masters are...

October 12, 2017

Mirror of Zen: Part 1

There is only one thing from the beginning, bright and mysterious. Unborn, undying, indescribable. Many...

October 08, 2017

Mirror of Zen by So Sahn: Introduction

The Mirror of Zen is a text that was written by a teacher named So...

September 2017

September 21, 2017

Chanting: What Is It Good For?

Chanting is a practice that exists in most of the Buddhist world. It's often used...

September 19, 2017

Faith in Mind: Rest and Suchness

Stop activity and there is no activity; When activity stops, there is no rest. Since...

September 17, 2017

Faith In Mind: Oneness and Duality

One thing is not different from another. The deluded mind clings to whatever it desires....

September 14, 2017

Faith in Mind: Being Natural

Let it go and be spontaneous, Experience no going or staying. Accord with your nature,...

September 11, 2017

Faith in Mind: Comparisons and Anxiety

Not seeing fine or coarse, How can there be any bias? Fine or coarse refers...

September 08, 2017

Faith in Mind: Unifying the Mind with Silence

Merely stagnating in duality, How can you recognize oneness? If you fail to penetrate oneness,...