On Thailand’s Late King and the Power of Goodness

BY THANISSARO BHIKKHU| OCTOBER 24, 2016

This famous photo of King Bhumibol is a favorite of the Thai people, who see it as emblematic of all the work he did on their behalf

Monk-scholar Thanissaro Bhikkhu recalls the life and example of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who died at the age of 88 earlier this month.

Iti 3.26

Why Won Buddhists in South Korea oppose THAAD deployment

By Ock Hyun-ju, Korea Herald, Oct 23, 2016 Seoul, South Korea -- One Saturday morning, passers-by curiously turned their heads as a group of people in white robes began to collectively pray, strike a gong and sound a wooden percussion instrument in central Seoul. Won Buddhists join their hands in prayer, opposing the government’s plan to deploy the US anti-missile system in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, during a press conference in front of the building of the Defense Ministry in central Seoul on Sept. 30. (Yonhap) Signs and placards that read “THAAD to the US, Peace to Korea” and “No War, No THAAD” were seen at the scene as they prayed and practiced meditation in front of the country’s Defense Ministry building.

Theragatha1.16

"Just as a fine thoroughbred
Proceeds with ease,
Tail and mane flying in the wind;
So my days and nights
Proceed with ease,
Full of spiritual joy." 

“Yathāpi bhaddo ājañño,
naṅgalāvattanī sikhī;
Gacchati appakasirena,
evaṃ rattindivā mama;
Gacchanti appakasirena,
sukhe laddhe nirāmise”ti.

… Belaṭṭhasīso thero ….

Your own spiritual light will shine forth permanently, by Hui Neng

Posted on 21 October 2016 by Buddhism Now

Bhikkhu Zhi Chang, a native of Gui Xi of Xin Zhou, joined the Order in his childhood, and was very zealous in his efforts to realize the Essence of Mind. One day, he came to pay homage to the Patriarch, and was asked by the latter whence and why he came.

‘I have recently been to the White Cliff Mountain in Hong Zhou,’ replied he, ‘to interview the Master Da Tong, who was good enough to teach me how to realize the Essence of Mind and thereby attain Buddhahood. But as I still have some doubts, I have travelled far to pay you respect. Will you kindly clear them up for me, Sir.’

10 Misconceptions about Buddhism (#9)

This article is the ninth in the 10 Misconceptions about Buddhism series with scholars Robert E. Buswell Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr. 

Slow-Motion Satori

The Zen tradition’s “sudden enlightenment” may not be so sudden after all. JUN 26, 2014

The East Asian Zen tradition has long understood enlightenment to be a sudden flash of insight rather than a gradual revelation. Zhongfeng Mingben, a Chinese Chan (Zen) master in the Linji (Japanese, Rinzai) lineage, described the sudden approach to enlightenment in verse:

Chan practice does not involve any progression,
The absolute essence is free from all extremes and representations.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
In one realization, all is realized,
In one flash of cognition, all is cognized.

Theragatha 1.52

Although the monk talks about being protected by the rain in his kuti, it can also be metaphorical. "My mind is serene in my body" also means that a trained mind is not affected by worldly troubles.

"The sky rains down, like a beautiful song,
My little hut is ro­ofed and pleasant,
Sheltered from the wind.
My mind is serene in my body:
So rain, sky, as you please."

“Vassati devo yathā sugītaṃ,
Channā me kuṭikā sukhā nivātā;
Cittaṃ susamāhitañca kāye,
Atha ce patthayasi pavassa devā”ti.

… Subāhutthero …