Comments for Japan: Life and Religion http://japanlifeandreligion.com My Life as a Buddhist, Father and Japanophile... Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:33:25 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Preparing for the JLPT by Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/jlpt-prep/#comment-3885 Doug Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:33:25 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?page_id=3594#comment-3885 Hi Venkatesh and welcome to the JLR! I think the listening section is by far the most difficult section, but at the same time, probably the most important. One cannot communicate unless they can actually understand what's said, and unfortunately it's also the slowest skill to master. That's because you cannot cram or memorize for it. Even if you learn a lot of vocabulary, you have to consistently expose yourself to spoken language so that the words are understood automatically. You can't waste time thinking and remembering what a word means. It must be understood to the point that it's automatic. Then, when you go into the JLPT or any Japanese speaking situation, it's acatually kind of easy. With that said, your best bet is to just expose yourself to Japanese media constantly. it should be dynamic, not just one movie or two over and over again. You need fresh content, and you need to listen to it almost daily. Doesn't have to be for a long duration, but just getting your ear used to it. Podcasts are one great way of doing this, as are online shows. Both are linked here on the blog at certain points. Just keep doing it, and you'll be surprised how much easier things become. Speaking from experience, when you take the JLPT listening section sounds slow because you're used to natural speed (they dumb it down for us foreign students because most are not used to native speed). You'll be surprised. Try it out for a year and by the next JLPT, your listening skills should be stronger. Good luck! Hi Venkatesh and welcome to the JLR!

I think the listening section is by far the most difficult section, but at the same time, probably the most important. One cannot communicate unless they can actually understand what’s said, and unfortunately it’s also the slowest skill to master. That’s because you cannot cram or memorize for it. Even if you learn a lot of vocabulary, you have to consistently expose yourself to spoken language so that the words are understood automatically. You can’t waste time thinking and remembering what a word means. It must be understood to the point that it’s automatic. Then, when you go into the JLPT or any Japanese speaking situation, it’s acatually kind of easy.

With that said, your best bet is to just expose yourself to Japanese media constantly. it should be dynamic, not just one movie or two over and over again. You need fresh content, and you need to listen to it almost daily. Doesn’t have to be for a long duration, but just getting your ear used to it.

Podcasts are one great way of doing this, as are online shows. Both are linked here on the blog at certain points. Just keep doing it, and you’ll be surprised how much easier things become. Speaking from experience, when you take the JLPT listening section sounds slow because you’re used to natural speed (they dumb it down for us foreign students because most are not used to native speed). You’ll be surprised. Try it out for a year and by the next JLPT, your listening skills should be stronger.

Good luck!

]]> Comment on Preparing for the JLPT by Venkatesh http://japanlifeandreligion.com/jlpt-prep/#comment-3884 Venkatesh Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:45:20 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?page_id=3594#comment-3884 Konnichiwa!Doug-San Hajime mashite! Venkatesh desu.Indo-jin desu. Yoroshiku! * BOWS __/=== * I took the level 3 JLPT test on last December 6th and passed! I passed by the skin on my teeth, but I still passed. My Score Report: 文字・語彙 : 76/100 聴解 : 35/100 読解・文法 : 148/200 Total = 259/400(64.75%) As you can see my score deatils, my score in Listening section refelects how terrible i'm when it comes to listening, thats always been my weakest area and i'm finding it really hard to improve in this particular section obviously because i'm from india and i don't get to talk to native speakers much other than my sensei who is a japanese. I need your valuable suggestion on improving my listening skill. Thanks in advance! Yoroshiku! Ja mata. Konnichiwa!Doug-San

Hajime mashite!
Venkatesh desu.Indo-jin desu.
Yoroshiku!

* BOWS __/=== *

I took the level 3 JLPT test on last December 6th and passed! I passed by the skin on my teeth, but I still passed.

My Score Report:

文字・語彙 : 76/100
聴解 : 35/100
読解・文法 : 148/200

Total = 259/400(64.75%)

As you can see my score deatils, my score in Listening section refelects how terrible i’m when it comes to listening, thats always been my weakest area and i’m finding it really hard to improve in this particular section obviously because i’m from india and i don’t get to talk to native speakers much other than my sensei who is a japanese.

I need your valuable suggestion on improving my listening skill.

Thanks in advance!
Yoroshiku!

Ja mata.

]]> Comment on Eisai: the underrated Zen master by Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/08/eisai-the-forgotten-zen-master/#comment-3883 Doug Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:26:40 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=7117#comment-3883 Wow thanks a lot Kyoushin! I always appreciate independent verification on such things because the Internet has enough poor fact checking as it is! :-) Take care! Wow thanks a lot Kyoushin! I always appreciate independent verification on such things because the Internet has enough poor fact checking as it is! :-)

Take care!

]]> Comment on Eisai: the underrated Zen master by Kyōshin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/08/eisai-the-forgotten-zen-master/#comment-3881 Kyōshin Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:19:55 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=7117#comment-3881 Hi Doug, Ejo records Dogen Zenji mentionning the incident your describe (where Eisai gave the copper intended for the halo of a Yakushi Buddha statue to the poor family) in the'Shobogenzo Zuimonki' 1235-1237 so the story at least dates pretty near to the time. Thanks as always for broadening my awareness of Buddhist history. Gassho, K Hi Doug, Ejo records Dogen Zenji mentionning the incident your describe (where Eisai gave the copper intended for the halo of a Yakushi Buddha statue to the poor family) in the’Shobogenzo Zuimonki’ 1235-1237 so the story at least dates pretty near to the time.

Thanks as always for broadening my awareness of Buddhist history.

Gassho, K

]]> Comment on Yet another Pure Land/Zen Post by Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/07/yet-another-pure-landzen-post/#comment-3880 Doug Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:10:13 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=6064#comment-3880 Hi Jon, I suspect in practice many people who are devout Buddhists are the same way, even in sects that only espouse one practice. Why limit yourself to one aspect of Buddhism afterall? :-) Hi Jon, I suspect in practice many people who are devout Buddhists are the same way, even in sects that only espouse one practice. Why limit yourself to one aspect of Buddhism afterall? :-)

]]> Comment on Yet another Pure Land/Zen Post by Tornadoes28 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/07/yet-another-pure-landzen-post/#comment-3879 Tornadoes28 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:47:25 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=6064#comment-3879 I really like this statement as well. I really like aspects of both Pure Land and Zen Buddhism and I see no reason to not follow both or have an interest in both. - Jon I really like this statement as well. I really like aspects of both Pure Land and Zen Buddhism and I see no reason to not follow both or have an interest in both.

- Jon

]]> Comment on Yet another Pure Land/Zen Post by Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/07/yet-another-pure-landzen-post/#comment-3878 Doug Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:54:28 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=6064#comment-3878 Indeed, indeed. Even in the Buddha's time though, there were plenty of monks who were scalawags too: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn16/sn16.013.than.html It is what it is. :-/ Indeed, indeed. Even in the Buddha’s time though, there were plenty of monks who were scalawags too:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn16/sn16.013.than.html

It is what it is. :-/

]]> Comment on Yet another Pure Land/Zen Post by Dhammagevesi http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/07/yet-another-pure-landzen-post/#comment-3877 Dhammagevesi Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:53:54 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=6064#comment-3877 Right I don't believe we will have to wait 500 years Nor do I believe it is a cultural thing as you suggest There are many corrupt Monastics in the West who look on Buddhism as no more than a profit making scam and while they are not on their own The Tibetans are certainly way out in front Certainly in the UK Even in the US A fully ordained Lama has his own porn site Do you want the link ? (jk) Right I don’t believe we will have to wait 500 years Nor do I believe it is a cultural thing as you suggest There are many corrupt Monastics in the West who look on Buddhism as no more than a profit making scam and while they are not on their own The Tibetans are certainly way out in front Certainly in the UK
Even in the US A fully ordained Lama has his own porn site
Do you want the link ? (jk)

]]> Comment on Yet another Pure Land/Zen Post by Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/07/yet-another-pure-landzen-post/#comment-3876 Doug Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:22:29 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=6064#comment-3876 Hello Dhammagevesi, I have to admit lately I am more doubtful of the notion of Dharma Decline than I was in the past. Of course, everything has a contingent existence (i.e. empty) and subject to decline, but I am inclined to believe the challenges of Buddhism in the West are due to its relatively recent arrival in a culture that already has established religion traditions. Buddhism had similar conflicts when it arrived in China because of the establishment of Confucianism and Taoism, so fast-forward Western Buddhism 500 years and will look somewhat different. ;) Cheers! Hello Dhammagevesi,

I have to admit lately I am more doubtful of the notion of Dharma Decline than I was in the past. Of course, everything has a contingent existence (i.e. empty) and subject to decline, but I am inclined to believe the challenges of Buddhism in the West are due to its relatively recent arrival in a culture that already has established religion traditions. Buddhism had similar conflicts when it arrived in China because of the establishment of Confucianism and Taoism, so fast-forward Western Buddhism 500 years and will look somewhat different. ;)

Cheers!

]]> Comment on Yet another Pure Land/Zen Post by Dhammagevesi http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/03/07/yet-another-pure-landzen-post/#comment-3875 Dhammagevesi Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:48:07 +0000 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/?p=6064#comment-3875 Ha Ha I don't have horns but I am told I was a big boy for my Mum ! I am a Pure Land Buddhist too and I have found given what is happening in the World The Pure Land Practice has served me well Relying totally on Lord Buddha Amitabha and the Bodhisattva's I have been able to keep body and mind intact and I see every single day physical evidence that proves to me that Lord Buddha Amitabha is not only waiting at the time of death but is also in the here and now Helping Practitioners whenever we recite His name With me If a thing isn't broke Then why fix it Besides there is an acute shortage of decent Teachers At least in the UK and as You will already be aware Zen relies very heavily on the input of a good living Teacher to make progress Maybe it was for a time long past It is claimed There will come a time when only the name of Amitabha will remain in the World In this Dhamma Ending Age and given my experience's to date I could well believe that It will be interesting to see if a Tiger with horns does respond Ha Ha I don’t have horns but I am told I was a big boy for my Mum !
I am a Pure Land Buddhist too and I have found given what is happening in the World The Pure Land Practice has served me well Relying totally on Lord Buddha Amitabha and the Bodhisattva’s I have been able to keep body and mind intact and I see every single day physical evidence that proves to me that Lord Buddha Amitabha is not only waiting at the time of death but is also in the here and now Helping Practitioners whenever we recite His name
With me If a thing isn’t broke Then why fix it Besides there is an acute shortage of decent Teachers At least in the UK and as You will already be aware Zen relies very heavily on the input of a good living Teacher to make progress Maybe it was for a time long past
It is claimed There will come a time when only the name of Amitabha will remain in the World In this Dhamma Ending Age and given my experience’s to date I could well believe that
It will be interesting to see if a Tiger with horns does respond

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