Acid Test Of Enlightenement

by: ten2one

Sun Nov 06, 2011 at 16:30:58 PM PST

Lewis Richmond - a Buddhist writer and teacher, and the author of the upcoming Aging as a Spiritual Practice, has some interesting views that will leave some gasping and spluttering.

So it would seem that Buddhism and Buddhist Practices is not what many thought. The reality seems to be emerging from the depths of peoples early perceptions and desires, seasoned with some real world experience.

Enlightenment Is Not What We Thought

Meditation Isn't Good For Everything

Religious Corruption Is Universal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

Nichiren Buddhism - eating meat and fish

by: COS

Sat Feb 20, 2010 at 06:17:24 AM PST

Buddhism and Marijuana

by: COS

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 08:35:41 AM PDT

Thoughts on self-esteem and Nichiren practice

by: auntie

Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 14:01:42 PM PST

There are mystical, woo-woo answers which are valid, but I would like to offer a practical answer having nothing to do with faith, belief or doctrine. This answer was inspired partly by yesterday's post on developing self-respect.....

Many Splendored Benefits of Chanting

by: brooke

Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 11:55:42 AM PST

People have used chanting as part of healing rituals for thousands of years. The health aspect of chanting is distinct from its spiritual connections, which date back in the West to the Gregorian monks.

Keep reading.

'A Visible Form of Prayer'

by: deardenver

Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 00:15:09 AM PST

The sign in the parking lot says that the Pagoda is a visible form of prayer - just like the monks walking and chanting and drumming I suppose.  Prayer for peace as a means to form intention and affect a metanoia is certainly important.  I think what might be equally important is to be visible.  I find it all too easy to forget about peace, and not just peace writ large in the world, but peaceful action and thought within the confines of my tiny life (exspecially during the ironically-named "holiday season").  I welcome and need the reminders that places like the Peace Pagoda provide.

Photos on flickr.

Learning Nichiren Gongyo Online

by: beryl

Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 16:00:08 PM PST

I learned it by hearing others do it. I followed along, trying to mouth the syllables. I don't know anyone who has fully mastered it in the sense that they never trip and always pronounce every syllable clearly and completely. But then, perfection isn't exactly the goal. Cris Roman wrote about his relationship with gongyo here.

Thankfully, there are tons of great online resources to help you learn gongyo....

Mindfulness and Chanting

by: brooke

Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 14:04:31 PM PST

In recent years, I have introduced ten to twenty minutes of mindfulness into my practice, prior to chanting daimoku and reciting gongyo. At first, it was astonishing to witness what an uncontrollable chaos emerged once I closed my eyes to be in the present moment. If I could give you a visual of my mind when I began mindfulness, it would be like a plane flying through an electrical storm with pockets of turbulence and the flash of lightning jolting the aircraft every which-way. Perhaps it could be compared to a raging bonfire with sparks shooting into the sky. Now, with little effort, my plane glides effortlessly through the clear air, and the bonfire has been reduced to a glowing bed of coals.

It is my belief that chanting daimoku for healing can benefit us greatly by beginning with quiet meditation that prepares us for mantra-powered visualization.

He also offers easy instructions for mantra-powered visualization.