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: China
Han Feizi: Total Bastard
Lately, besides my usual projects (blog, plus Korean studies), I’ve been reading a famous Chinese book called the Han Feizi (Burton Watson’s excellent translation). Han Feizi (韓非子, 280–233 BC) was the foremost thinker in the Legalism school of Chinese thought … Continue reading
Posted in China, Confucius, Literature, Philosophy, Politics
Leave a comment
The Life of a Soldier
A while back, I was reading Confucianism and Tokugawa Culture by Peter Nosco and other contributors, when it mentions this quotation from an lesser-known text from 16th century Japan (i.e. the Warring States Period), called the Asakura Sōteki (朝倉 宗滴): … Continue reading
Posted in China, Japan, Latin, Literature
Leave a comment
Okinawa: Center of Asian Trade
From time to time, I read Professor Kerr’s classic about the History of Okinawa. For such a thick book, it’s surprisingly interesting and readable. But I also have a passionate interest in island cultures too, so perhaps I am just … Continue reading
Posted in China, Japan
2 Comments
A Long Spring Nap
A couple years ago I posted about this famous Chinese poem from the Tang Dynasty. This was composed by Mèng Hàorán, who in Japanese is known as Mōkōnen (孟浩然). It is also included in the very famous Chinese collection: the … Continue reading
Posted in China, Japan, Literature, Poetry
4 Comments
Ven. Yin-Shun explains Buddhist meditation
One of my favorite books on Buddhism after all these years is Ven. Yin-Shun’s book on Buddhism called The Way to Buddhahood. I was thumbing through the book recently looking for something, when I stumbled upon this lengthy explanation about … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, China, Religion, Zen
Leave a comment
Solving a Chinese restaurant mystery
This is something that’s frequently piqued my interest, but I had nowhere to turn to solve this little mystery. In Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants here in the US, and certainly elsewhere, you’re likely to see an altar like this one: … Continue reading
There’s Religion and Then There’s Religion
While reading Professor Yao’s book which provides an overview of Confucianism, I was struck by one section with grappled with the question: is Confucianism a religion or a code of ethics? What struck me with this section, is how Professor … Continue reading
Ennin Goes to China
I found this small article in the Asahi Shinbun newspaper recently, and thought it was pretty cool. This talks about a rock inscription in China’s Henan Province bearing the name of a famous Japanese Buddhist monk of the Tendai sect, … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, China, Tendai, Travel
Leave a comment
Right speech, again
The notion of “right speech” is something that comes up in Buddhism a lot, but it’s a nice, practical topic to explore. Speaking from experience, I can certainly use some improvement. This latest post was inspired by my continued readings … Continue reading
Posted in China, Confucius, Japan, Literature
6 Comments
Port Arthur open to foreigners again
While getting settled back in the US, I wanted to share this article about the fact that Port Arthur in the People’s Republic of China is open to foreigners once again. This famous port, called Lǚshùn (旅顺, 旅順) in Chinese … Continue reading
Posted in China, Travel
Leave a comment
