Scroll Airing – Temple Treasures – November 3, 2019

Today at the temple I shared with our online viewers some of the many treasures of the temple.   Among our treasures are many examples of Shakyo, sutra passages copied that were then donated to the temple for storage and prayers.  The sutra passages range from Chapter II, III, XVI, and XXI.  Also there are many sheets of Odaimoku written out with prayers for peace and health as well as good fortune.  I spent the longest…

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Specific Versus General – Part 2 – Sangha Building – Dharma Talk – October 21, 2019

“Thereupon the World-Honored One said to Gautami (a woman): ‘Why do you look at me so anxiously? You do not think that I assured you of your future attainment of Anuttara-samyak-sam-bodhi because I did not mention you by name, do you? Gautami! I have already said that I assured all the Sravakas of their future attainment of [Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Now you wish to know my assurance of your attainment [of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi].’” Lotus Sutra Chapter XIII To…

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Underground Railroad – October 17, 2019

Today as I make my way home I was able to visit the Underground Railroad Museum in Niagara Falls New York. It sits adjacent to the Amtrak station. I had spotted it on my way to Canada and I was hopeful that I would have enough time to visit there before catching the train. Fortunately I was able to do so. The Underground Railroad was an unofficial route from slavery to freedom. An unmarked yet…

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Francophone Study – English and French Language – Video – October 8, 2019

The recording is in French and English. Today we discussed how to have gratitude and appreciation for unpleasant events in our past. In particular how do we have gratitude to parents who may have treated us in unskillful ways, or who harmed us when we were children. The issue is complicated, and not to be over simplified, and certainly we should not read general guidance written for someone else or written for a general audience…

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