Category Archives: Uncategorized

Last week when we discussed the poems written by Buddhist monks and nuns, there were two that were of particular interest to me: in the Theragatha, Chapter 6, Verse 9 “Jenta, the Royal Chaplain’s Son” and in the Therigatha, Chapter … Continue reading →

“For neither an existent nor a nonexistent thing Is a condition appropriate. If a thing is nonexistent, how could it have a condition? If a thing is already existent, what would a condition do?” The second turning of the Wheel … Continue reading →

In class, we discussed what makes something a “religion” as opposed to a “philosophy,” what makes something a “ritual” as opposed to a habit, and what, then, makes something a religious ritual. Previously, I had committed to a set of … Continue reading →

There’s debate on whether Buddhism is a religion or a philosophy  as well as what constitutes a religion. The google definition of religion is: the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods; … Continue reading →

Nagarjuna, the primary philosopher of the Mahayana tradition, based his teachings on the theory of emptiness being at the foundation all things. The concept of emptiness in Buddhism is a difficult thing to wrap one’s head around and can be frequently misunderstood … Continue reading →

I particularly enjoyed reading the poems from the Theragatha and Therigatha collections, as I felt that while they gave an incredible insight into the theories and beliefs of Buddhism at that time, but also the way that these are carried … Continue reading →

Rupert Gethin expounds at length on the symbiotic relationship between Buddhist monks/nuns and the laity on whom they depend for alms, in return for dharma, as part of the Vinayas, roughly equivalent to Roman Catholic monastic orders’ “rule of life.” … Continue reading →

In reading chapter two of Buddhist Philosophy, I was not surprised to learn that the concept that “all phenomena are dependently originated is the heart of Buddhist ontological theory.” While this theory was not the focus of Garfield’s piece on … Continue reading →

The last assigned poem in the Theragatha collection entitled Bhaddiya Kaligodhayaputta (Thag 16.7) outlines the transformation a man underwent in the way he chose to conduct his life. He formerly lived luxuriously by wearing extravagant clothing and enjoying fine food, … Continue reading →

The goal of Buddhism is to acknowledge suffering, its causes, and to end it. “Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, sickness is suffering, dying is suffering, sorrow, grief, pain, unhappiness, and unease are suffering; being united with what is not … Continue reading →