Dear Sangha, What inspires or motivates you to practice? I was recently re-reading the Sutra of the Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva, and I was struck by the powerful descriptions of the various hell realms in that sutra. For some people, those descriptions help...
A row of Jizō Bodhistattvas overlook the path on the Saitama Chichibu Pilgrimage.
Dear Sangha, On this Memorial Day, I am remembering all those in the United States military who have given their lives or their health fighting for this country. It is important to recognize what all of these soldiers, their families, and our nation as a collective...
Dear Sangha,Over the past several weeks it has been a joy to return again to in-person practice and to our full daily service (gongyo) and meditation each week. Tendai is a form of temple Buddhism, and within that model there is a recognition that the physical space...
Part of the Chichibu Saitama 34 Kannon Pilgrimage route, April 2017.
Dear Sangha,I think Chaucer was onto something when he said (ever so loosely translated) that when April showers begin to coax the grasses and flowers of spring into bloom, and the song of the birds fills the air, people everywhere are eager to venture out on a...
Photo by Yair Mejía on Unsplash
Dear Sangha,Over the past several days I’ve experienced disbelief, deep sadness, fear, anger, and worry as I’ve watched the Russian military invade Ukraine. I’ve seen images of families spending the night in subway stations to avoid the bombings. I’ve seen photos of...
Photo by Nasam Thaufeeq on Unsplash
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