Compassion & Buddhism, Does It Exclude Conservative? – September 29, 2013

I recently was asked a question similar to the above and thought rather than respond to one individual I would write a Dharma talk about it. It seems important, and there is much I would like to say on the subject. First the Buddha makes it clear in Chapter XIV “Peaceful Practices” that we should be compassionate to not just monks and nuns, nor just Arhats and Sravakas and Bodhisattvas but to even those who…

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Ohigan and Equinox – September 22, 2013 Meditation

Well, here we are approaching the autumn equinox. Twice a year on our planet we have an equinox, a period of equal light and equal dark. Twice a year we take time during the equinox season to pay particular attention to observing the Six Paramitas. We find reference to Higan, which means crossing to the other shore, in the first chapter of the Lotus Sutra. “They had already trained themselves out of their compassion towards…

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Right View – September 12, 2013 Meditation (With Portuguese Translation)

Portuguese translation appears after English When I am asked to explain the Eightfold Path I am quick to point out the ‘right’ in each of the eight right ways is not right as opposed to wrong, but is a search for what is most skillful. What will produce the greatest good, most value while causing the least harm. Right is a not about doctrine laying out prohibitions, rules, commandments and so forth seeking to dictate…

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He Has Destroyed Villages and Towns. Everyone is Frightened of Him – September 8, 2013 Meditation

Good morning, thank you all for joining with us here at the temple today to practice together the Lotus Sutra. It isn’t easy to practice even a little bit of the Lotus Sutra in this modern age. In Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra, among other places in the sutra, the Buddha tells us in many different ways how difficult practicing the Lotus Sutra would be in the time after his death. Because it is…

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