About the Author
Hello, this blog is about my life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile / Koreaphile. Any useful information I can pass along will hopefully make the Internets a better place. Thanks for reading!
Category Archives: Zen
Oh, the joys of being stereotyped
My wife and I like to watch Japanese TV at home with our little one over dinner, since we can get NHK through cable (a la TV Japan). NHK being the state-run channel, tends to be have good family programming … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Japan, Zen
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What is Zen? A book review and intro to Rinzai Zen
Recently during my latest trip to Japan in April, I had some time to go book shopping. Places like Kinokuniya bookstore in Tokyo have a nice little section for Westerners containing good books not sold in the States, so it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Religion, Zen
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Buddhism: Form matters, or does it?
This is another quotation from the 13th-century Japanese text, Essays in Idleness, which I’ve quoted quite a bit in recent months during “Idleness Week“, but I felt this was a very worthwhile one to share: [157] If we pick up … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Japan, Jodo Shu, Literature, Zen
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As Appropriate: Buddhist Advice from Myoe
Lately, I have been enjoying a book on the Mantra of Light, and of a famous Japanese monk named Myōe (明恵, 1173 – 1232), called Shingon Refractions by Professor Mark Unno. Myoe was ordained in both the Kegon and Shingon … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Shingon, Zen
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Practice and Learning: Buddhist Advice from Myoe Koben
Lately, I’ve been avidly re-reading a book on the life of a famous 13th-century Japanese monk, Myōe Kōben titled Shingon Refractions, and I wanted to pass along some good quotations from Myoe’s writings, as translated in the book by Professor … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Shingon, Zen
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Zen focus, or lack thereof
Given the hectic month I’ve had, perhaps it’s time to revisit good ol fashioned Buddhist meditation. This was inspired by two excellent cartoons by Sinfest: here and then here. Stop and visit Sinfest if you haven’t already, and enjoy the … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Zen
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Do it or quit complaining
Recently while re-reading The Buddha’s Wish for the World, by Rev. Koshin Otani, head of the Nishi Honganji sect of Jodo Shinshu, he quoted from a famous and respected daimyo in the Edo Period, named Uesugi Harunori (a.k.a. Uesugi Yozan): … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Japanese, Jodo Shinshu, Language, Zen
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Day One in Kyoto, part 2: Silver Pavilion
Of all the sites in Kyoto, one of the most famous is the Gold Pavilion, which I visited years ago (pictures on Flickr), but this time around, my wife wanted to visit the Silver Pavilion or Ginkakuji (銀閣寺), and I … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Japan, Photography, Travel, Zen
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Me, unfiltered
Yesterday, I had a rather uncomfortable experience with myself, that I think underlies some important teachings in Buddhism. Since arriving in Japan earlier this week, the wife, daughter and I have been pretty jet-lagged, and our sleep schedule has been … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Jodo Shinshu, Zen
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Worst. Shogun. Ever.
No, not this guy: I am talking about the famous (or infamous) Shogun named Ashikaga Yoshimasa: You see, recently, using a little store credit I got at Amazon.com,1 I picked up a book by Professor Donald Keene about the life … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Japan, Jodo Shinshu, Jodo Shu, Zen
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