In response to a question asking: if anyone can explain exorcism from the Buddhist point of view? And also things like black magic and voodoo and stuff like that? Exorcism – I guess this generally refers to the removal of some sort of ‘spirit’ or being which is either possessing another being, or is around […]
Exorcism, Black Magic, Voodoo and Buddhism Read Post »
In response to: an email describing how their daughter is Christian, and reflecting on how to relate to her. Many thanks for your kind words, and for sharing so much of your personal experience and situation. I’m afraid I can’t really do justice to your email at this time, but wished to send a response
Buddhist Pure Lands and God Realms Read Post »
A question asking that: Christians will get to Eden because that is what their mind knows. So does that mean that I can visit Eden too if I meditate on it? To address your question indirectly – when ***** says: Because the only world we know is what the mind knows. There’s really nothing out
Eden, Mind and Karma Read Post »
Today I came across a rather beautiful metaphor for roles in the guru-student relationship: The teacher is the mirror in which you see your own face. The mirror shows you your face, and the guru therefore helps you see the nature of your mind. So you are able to see the nature of your mind
A Beautiful Guru Student Relationship Metaphor – Dorje Chang Thung prayer Read Post »
Isn’t Light a metaphor for Wisdom, rather than Devotion? I thought it was interesting to reflect on why devotion was likened to the light in this metaphor. Common metaphors for devotion are in terms of energy to empower something, in terms of receptivity, or openness to the teachings. So why is devotion likened to light
A Beautiful Guru Student Relationship Metaphor – Devotion and Openness Read Post »
In response to a reply saying that: The dust does not come from teacher – it means it comes from you; which means the mirror itself – more exactly its ability to reflect, is part of your mind, not something “outer”. Absolutely! The guru is the mirror with which you are able to see your
A Beautiful Guru Student Relationship Metaphor – Guru is the Mirror Read Post »
Hi, many thanks for your considered response. I certainly agree with you on the role of words in teachings as skilful means which are used like fingers pointing to the moon – in order to get us to directly perceive that which cannot be captured by words alone. However, I would take issue with an
Mantras, Relative and Ultimate Truth – Views Read Post »
As I’m substantially in agreement with you, with only differing emphasis (due to perhaps wishing to emphasise a different aspect of view and method), then I’ll only briefly comment on a couple of points ….. So my point here was that in fact there is not much difference between saying specifically “my body” or generally
Mantras, Relative and Ultimate Truth – Emptiness of Forms Read Post »
I must confess that I didn’t see what you were getting at in your first mail. It’s a very interesting distinction. Can I comment on it using a conventional Kagyu approach, and see where it leads? When we put a possessive adverb like “my”, “our”, etc. in front obviously (or maybe, not so obviously, sorry
Mantras, Relative and Ultimate Truth – Possessing Things Read Post »
Ah! one more reflection regarding visualisations and mantras *operating* at a relative level … something which I think if very important from a point of view of practice … In my limited understanding, both visualizations and mantras do operate on relative level. When you say ‘they operate’ it sounds like ‘they’ are doing the ‘operating’
Mantras, Relative and Ultimate Truth – Appearance and Emptiness Read Post »
