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312 articles in category.

Practice7 min

Manifestations of Sloth, Manifestations of Anger, Manifestations of Greed, Manifestations of Alcoholism

This "fifth evil" was originally summarized by classical Buddhist commentators in the Five Evils chapter as the pleasure of drinking. But if we look closely at this long passage, its scope is much broader. Perhaps because alcohol can clo...

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Practice3 min

The Sins of Illicit Sexual Conduct and the Blessings of Chastity

General Buddhist scriptures and treatises commonly discuss the various sins of illicit sexual conduct, and the various blessings of refraining from it. Take adultery, for instance: once you engage in it, you live in constant dread—dread ...

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Practice2 min

The Ugliness or Beauty of One's Appearance Causes All Kinds of Problems

The fourth is the Vow of No Distinction Between Beautiful or Ugly Form and Complexion in My Buddha-Land. Bodhisattva Dharmākara made this vow: “When I attain Buddhahood, all devas and humans in my buddha-land will have equally fine form ...

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Practice3 min

Upon What Do the Heavens of the Land of Bliss Rest?

Earlier we saw that the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is composed of the seven treasures. It has no Mount Sumeru, no great oceans, no lesser seas, no streams or canals, no wells or valleys, and no turning of the four seasons.

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Practice4 min

Why Patience Is a Hundred Times Harder to Cultivate Than Generosity

In the marketplace of Huaiyin County, a butcher was loudly taunting people: "You're big and tall, always with a sword at your hip. If you've got the guts, stab me with it. If you don't, then crawl between my legs!" Standing opposite him ...

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Practice8 min

Why Does Zen Buddhism Always Have a Bone to Pick with Demons?

In modern Chinese, 魔 and 鬼 are often spoken in the same breath — both suggest beings or forces that bewitch and disturb, luring people into obsession, unsettling them with fear, and causing harm.

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Practice5 min

Does Dwelling on the Buddha's Name Equate to Dwelling on Suchness?

In the Pure Land School, when we recite the holy name of Amitabha Buddha, does dwelling on Amitabha's sacred name equate to dwelling on Suchness?

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Practice9 min

Venerable Gangxiao: General Meaning of the *Pramanavarttika*, Part Seven

General Meaning of the Pramanavarttika, Part Seven

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Practice51 min

Professor Lin Chong'an: The Buddhist Knowledge System Constructed in the Āgama Sūtras

Selected Treatises on Buddhist Studies — Unit 2 [Doctrinal Principles of Buddhism]

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Practice3 min

Master Gang Xiao: The General Meaning of the *Treatise in the Palm* (Part Six)

The General Meaning of the Treatise in the Palm (Part Six)

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Practice15 min

Professor Lin Chong'an: A Study of the Sūtra Types and Compilation of the Benshi Jing

Lin Chong'an (Vipassanā Magazine 26, 2004)

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Practice5 min

Ven. Gangxiao: An Overview of the *Hastavālaprakaraṇa*, Part Five

An Overview of the Hastavālaprakaraṇa, Part Five

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