Category: Precepts

Mindfulness of Feelings Zen

Step Five – Taming the Ox The Sixth Dharma Realm The whip and rope are necessary, else he might stray off down some dusty road. Being well trained, he becomes naturally gentle, then, unfettered, he obeys his master. Taming the Ox Mindfulness of Feelings The sixth dharma realm is the dharma realm. Counting from the… Continue reading Mindfulness of Feelings Zen

54 prostration verses for Zen

A complete Buddhist practice, in my opinion, includes a prostration practice. Complete instructions on how to perform a prostration are found under the heading Prostrations under Advanced Zen. There you will also find a video of three very fast prostrations. We suggest preforming each prostration much slower. To avoid the tedious process of counting fifty… Continue reading 54 prostration verses for Zen

Greed, Zen and the First Paramita

When preparing to write on a Buddhist topic, I first read what others have to say on the subject. Then I try to find something original to say that might be eye-opening and helpful to a reader. I found one of the clearest, well-written discussions ever on the six paramitas while preparing to write this… Continue reading Greed, Zen and the First Paramita

Zen And Eating Meat

Becoming a vegetarian is the single most effective thing that a single individual can do to inhibit global warming. It dwarfs the impact of switching light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent or LEDs, driving more fuel efficient or electric cars, using Energy Star appliances, putting solar panels on our roofs, and so on. Some researchers… Continue reading Zen And Eating Meat

The First Precept of Zen

The first precept of Buddhism, the one that drives many people away from Zen practice because they can’t keep it, is a call for not killing. It doesn’t say not to kill people. It says not to kill, period. See The Lankavatara Sutra. Following a precept results in a calm, soothed mind. The average vegetarian… Continue reading The First Precept of Zen

Zen Breathing: Diversity to Unity

Step one of Tranquil Wisdom meditation – In the words of the Buddha: “Mindful he breathes in, mindful he breathes out.” That’a about as simple an instruction as possible. The key word is of course “mindful.” Throughout the day, we breathe without thinking about it. Step two: Awareness of long and short breaths In the… Continue reading Zen Breathing: Diversity to Unity

Two Views of Anapanasati Zen

Of course the Zen school did not arise until a thousand or more years after the Buddha had passed away. However, in keeping with our use of the word “Zen” as meaning meditation, which it does, it is OK and accurate to refer to Anapanasati meditation. (We don’t want the search engines looking for “Zen”… Continue reading Two Views of Anapanasati Zen

Zen darkness and light

Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that forgetfulness is the darkness, mindfulness is the light. Trouble is, most people have no idea what forgetfulness is. I have a good memory, they say, I am not at all forgetful. I never forget to watch the Dallas Cowboys play on Sunday afternoon. I never forget to watch Dancing with… Continue reading Zen darkness and light