text: Buddhism – Page 8 – Party Central
  I KNOW NOTHING!!11
  Recently, I was having a conversation with someone about Socrates (or "So-crates" for those who remember Bill & Ted), and I went back and watched this old video by 8-Bit Philosophy. Socrates was a pretty interesting figure if even half of the stuff said about him was true. Socrates was highly influential and responsible forContinue reading "I KNOW NOTHING!!11"
  Posted byDoug February 12, 2020 March 9, 2020 Posted inBuddhism, PhilosophyTags:SocratesLeave a comment on I KNOW NOTHING!!11
  What is the Nembutsu? A Not-So Brief Overview
  For anyone who's come across the Pure Land tradition in Buddhism, they will have almost certainly heard like terms "nenbutsu", "nian-fo" and such. Pure Land Buddhism is a long, broad tradition within the even broader Mahayana Buddhism. But if I had to distill it into a 30-second explanation, the tradition is based on devotion toContinue reading "What is the Nembutsu? A Not-So Brief Overview"
  Posted byDoug February 11, 2020 January 29, 2021 Posted inBuddhismTags:Pure LandLeave a comment on What is the Nembutsu? A Not-So Brief Overview
  What's in a four-syllable phrase? Yojijukugo
  Japanese as a language is somewhat unusual in that it belongs to its own language family¹ genetically but has inherited so much from the Asian mainland. Chinese compound words make up a large bulk of Japanese vocabulary, even if the grammar and usage are entirely different, but that is not all. Japanese inherited pithy four-syllableContinue reading "What's in a four-syllable phrase? Yojijukugo"
  Posted byDoug February 4, 2020 February 3, 2020 Posted inBuddhism, China, Japanese, Language2 Comments on What's in a four-syllable phrase? Yojijukugo
  Setsubun Block Party!
  One of my favorite holidays in Japan is Setsubun which in the modern calendar is always February 3rd. We celebrate it every year with the kids because it's a fun way to bring the family together, maybe bring in a little extra good luck, and is pretty low-key. Setsubun (節分) is the second of 5Continue reading "Setsubun Block Party!"
  Posted byDoug February 1, 2020 February 1, 2020 Posted inBuddhism, Family, Food, Japan, Shinto2 Comments on Setsubun Block Party!
  I am very excited to get this book in the mail the other day. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much free time, but I finally got to start reading last night and it was worth the wait. The book, titled Genshin's Ōjōyōshū and the Construction of Pure Land Discourse in HeianContinue reading "New Book"
  Posted byDoug January 31, 2020 Posted inBuddhism, JapanTags:Jodo Shinshu, Jodo Shu, Pure Land2 Comments on New Book
  Pure Land Buddhism: How Many Times Should One Recite The Nembutsu?
  Way back when in 2005, I got my first exposure to Pure Land Buddhism in the city of Kyoto at a famous temple named Chion-in, where I saw a lone monk chanting evening prayers before a statue of the Buddha. Something about that moment made a real impression on me and I carried thatContinue reading "Pure Land Buddhism: How Many Times Should One Recite The Nembutsu?"
  Posted byDoug January 23, 2020 January 29, 2020 Posted inBuddhismTags:Jodo Shinshu, Jodo Shu3 Comments on Pure Land Buddhism: How Many Times Should One Recite The Nembutsu?
  War? No Thank You: Wise Words from the Buddha
  With all the talk lately about the US and Iran, I thought about this quote from a Buddhist text called the Dhammapada. The Buddha, said in the Dhammapada, verses 129-132: All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill. All trembleContinue reading "War? No Thank You: Wise Words from the Buddha"