Ritual traditions have changed over historical time and differ from sect to sect and from region to region throughout East Asia. Descriptions of Zen ritual are, therefore, either specific …

For thousands of years, mystics, meditators, and yogis have used mantras for mental and spiritual transformation. A mantra is a sequence of words, syllables, phrases, or sounds, that are …

The basic story speaks about the relationship between a hermit monk and an orphan left in his charge. Together they care for a temple in the middle of a remote …

KANNON BODHISATTVA, KANNON BOSATSU, LORD OF COMPASSION, GODDESS OF MERCY Avalokitesvara is possibly the most popular of all Buddhist deities, beloved throughout the Buddhist world. The great vow of …

Nama-rupa, sometimes spelled namarupa, is a Sanskrit and Pali term that comes up frequently in Buddhism. It literally means “name and form,” although it is sometimes translated “mind an …

 A monk asked Joshu, “Has a dog the Buddha Nature?” Joshu answered, “Mu.” In order to master Zen, you must pass the barrier of the patriarchs. To attain this …

The Dhammapada is one of the most popular Buddhist texts in the world, the most famous and most read Buddhist scripture comprising the sayings of Buddha. Because each saying …

Shodo – sho – to write and do – way, hence “The way of writing.” Like many other Japanese traditions shodo has roots in China. During the 6th and …

Boundless wind and moon – the eye within eyes, Inexhaustible heaven and earth – the light beyond light The willow dark, the flower bright – ten thousand houses; Knock …

If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without …