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245 articles in tag.
Genan: The Buddha's Attitude Toward Life and Suicide — A Perspective from Early Buddhism
Early Buddhist teachings regard life as something exceedingly precious—the very foundation for practice, awakening, and liberation. Shakyamuni Buddha repeatedly emphasized that cherishing this body and making good use of this life is the...
ReadVenerable Master Miao Jing: Reciting the Buddha’s Name and the Samadhi of Buddha-Recitation
Ever since I was ordained, every monastery I’ve stayed at has held seven-day Buddha-recitation retreats. Hearing senior dharma masters speak on the immense merit of the Buddha-recitation path, I was deeply moved, developed faith and the ...
ReadIf a Child Remembers the Mother: A Rare and Precious Moment Encountered Once in Countless Eons
This phrase, “if a child remembers the mother,” points to a moment so rare it is seldom encountered even across hundreds of millions of lifetimes. It is like wandering a long, wearisome path: worn thin in body and mind, suffering so deep...
ReadManifestations 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...
ReadThe 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 ...
ReadThe 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 ...
ReadUpon 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.
ReadThe Four Aims Behind the Buddha's Diverse Teachings
When the Buddha taught in so many different ways, he had four aims in mind:
ReadWhy 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 ...
ReadDoes 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?
ReadVenerable Gangxiao: General Meaning of the *Pramanavarttika*, Part Seven
General Meaning of the Pramanavarttika, Part Seven
ReadProfessor 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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