Comments on: The Buddhist Spirit http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Jeannie http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1976 Jeannie Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:31:19 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1976 I am happy to hear that, GF. :D I am happy to hear that, GF. :D

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1973 Gerald Ford Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:21:19 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1973 Jeannie, Michael, Kyoushin: Thanks guys for your input. :) Like Michael said, it takes quite a while to sort things out, and right now I am enjoying a more non-committal approach to things, but I think I will settle down on a practice for good at some point in the future. Lately I feel quite a bit more relaxed about things, but like I said, still with a sense of progress, so I actually in a better mood overall (minus the cold) than I've been in a while. :D Jeannie, Michael, Kyoushin: Thanks guys for your input. :)

Like Michael said, it takes quite a while to sort things out, and right now I am enjoying a more non-committal approach to things, but I think I will settle down on a practice for good at some point in the future. Lately I feel quite a bit more relaxed about things, but like I said, still with a sense of progress, so I actually in a better mood overall (minus the cold) than I’ve been in a while. :D

]]> By: Jeannie http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1972 Jeannie Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:15:55 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1972 <i>"Jeannie: Still TBD."</i> Awww, all right. I'll try to be patient. Grumble, grumble...Kshanti Paramita is not my strong point. :) “Jeannie: Still TBD.”

Awww, all right. I’ll try to be patient. Grumble, grumble…Kshanti Paramita is not my strong point. :)

]]> By: Jeannie http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1971 Jeannie Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:13:53 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1971 <i>"I would say it of course but where you write “my frustration in Jodo Shinshu was rooted in the sense of aimlessness I felt in that no one around had any interest in practicing Buddhism” I feel this reflects on the particular JSS groups you have been exposed to rather than the tradition itself."</i> My experience agrees with Kyōshin's remarks. Although I do not practice Jodo Shinshu, the many I know that do are very interested in everything from discussing and practicing the Eightfold Path to Sutra study. “I would say it of course but where you write “my frustration in Jodo Shinshu was rooted in the sense of aimlessness I felt in that no one around had any interest in practicing Buddhism” I feel this reflects on the particular JSS groups you have been exposed to rather than the tradition itself.”

My experience agrees with Kyōshin’s remarks. Although I do not practice Jodo Shinshu, the many I know that do are very interested in everything from discussing and practicing the Eightfold Path to Sutra study.

]]> By: Kyōshin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1975 Kyōshin Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:08:20 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1975 Hi Michael, It's OK I didn't take your post as a criticism of your temple and in fact I wasn't making a criticism of Gerald's either - its just a case of what a person is looking for. I visited Gerald's temple briefly in April and it seemed a lovely, friendly family oriented place but as we all know he is very keen to dig into stuff deeper and I can see that there might be a lack of people there wanting to do the same. My home 'temple' is a very small overseas dojo of a big Japanese temple. We have a small membership but a lot of energy. It being only just in its second decade there are still few concessions to English speakers in certain areas though that is changing. What I'm getting at is each temple has its own strengths and weakness, and all are in flux .. Hi Michael, It’s OK I didn’t take your post as a criticism of your temple and in fact I wasn’t making a criticism of Gerald’s either – its just a case of what a person is looking for. I visited Gerald’s temple briefly in April and it seemed a lovely, friendly family oriented place but as we all know he is very keen to dig into stuff deeper and I can see that there might be a lack of people there wanting to do the same.

My home ‘temple’ is a very small overseas dojo of a big Japanese temple. We have a small membership but a lot of energy. It being only just in its second decade there are still few concessions to English speakers in certain areas though that is changing.

What I’m getting at is each temple has its own strengths and weakness, and all are in flux ..

]]> By: michael http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1974 michael Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:48:13 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1974 Just a note on my previous post. I go to a BCA temple. The priest has often refered me to teachings of Higashi and how similar it is to Nishi. He has also referenced Tibetan teachings. So this small group of about a dozen has been very open to other ideas besides strictly BCA teachings. I have noticed this also when speaking to 3 other BCA priests. This is the only temple I have ever been to and am very happy with it. Just a note on my previous post. I go to a BCA temple. The priest has often refered me to teachings of Higashi and how similar it is to Nishi. He has also referenced Tibetan teachings. So this small group of about a dozen has been very open to other ideas besides strictly BCA teachings. I have noticed this also when speaking to 3 other BCA priests. This is the only temple I have ever been to and am very happy with it.

]]> By: michael http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1970 michael Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:36:11 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1970 Kyoshin: I agree. As a whole, I don't think that is the case with all JSS groups. Unfortunately, we are limited due to geographical locations. I am happy with the temple I go to. I'm not sure what I'll do when I move, but that's a few years away. Kyoshin: I agree. As a whole, I don’t think that is the case with all JSS groups. Unfortunately, we are limited due to geographical locations. I am happy with the temple I go to. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I move, but that’s a few years away.

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1969 Gerald Ford Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:27:13 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1969 Quite possible. I was hoping to drop by and visit your temple at some point whenever I get to Ireland (I'm finally leaving in July) in either case, but I am sure it's educational as well. :) Quite possible. I was hoping to drop by and visit your temple at some point whenever I get to Ireland (I’m finally leaving in July) in either case, but I am sure it’s educational as well. :)

]]> By: Kyōshin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1968 Kyōshin Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:03:55 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1968 I would say it of course but where you write "my frustration in Jodo Shinshu was rooted in the sense of aimlessness I felt in that no one around had any interest in practicing Buddhism" I feel this reflects on the particular JSS groups you have been exposed to rather than the tradition itself. I would say it of course but where you write “my frustration in Jodo Shinshu was rooted in the sense of aimlessness I felt in that no one around had any interest in practicing Buddhism” I feel this reflects on the particular JSS groups you have been exposed to rather than the tradition itself.

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/11/the-buddhist-spirit/#comment-1967 Gerald Ford Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:30:06 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=293#comment-1967 Michael: I checked out the link you provided and it was a good post. I also appreciated your comment: <em>I am also curious about including Zen in my practice. It seems to be very common. Anyway, I hope for the best in your pursuit. Don’t worry if it takes several years to settle with something.</em> I think I will settle sooner or later. I am not too worried about it at present. Jeannie: Still TBD. Michael: I checked out the link you provided and it was a good post. I also appreciated your comment: I am also curious about including Zen in my practice. It seems to be very common. Anyway, I hope for the best in your pursuit. Don’t worry if it takes several years to settle with something. I think I will settle sooner or later. I am not too worried about it at present.

Jeannie: Still TBD.

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