THE BUDDHA BLOG | Michael Haggiag

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Jul 23, 2023
Michael Haggiag

A teenager's life begins to change in ways he could never have imagined after encountering the teachings of the Buddha. Michael Haggiag makes Zen practice and Buddhism easy to grasp in this coming of age story.

1. Call me Dylan

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A hyperactive teenager strikes an unlikely friendship with a Japanese gardener who seems to know more than he lets on.

2. Buddha the Pointer

THE BUDDHA BLOG
Even a 15 year old with ADHD can understand the teachings of the Buddha when Jizo explains it!

3. Prince Siddhartha Gautama

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How did prince Guatama become the Buddha?

4. Outside the Palace

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Prince Gautama, encountering old age and sickness for the first time, finds his world beginning to crumble.

5. The Third Meeting

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Prince Gautama had never thought about old age or sickness before and he's not handling it all that well. How will he take this last revelation?

6. Leaving Home

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Having faced the reality of life for the first time, prince Gautama now faces a difficult moral dilemma. 

7. Pondering

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Jizo reveals something about his mysterious past...

8. Jizo’s Own Story

THE BUDDHA BLOG
Jizo faces life and death in his first real test as a Zen monk

9. The Restaurant

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Dylan has an important question for Jizo.

10. The Five Disciples

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Five friends search for prince Gautama after he flees the palace. 

11. King Bimbisara

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King Bimbisara makes a very tempting offer that will surely test the Buddha's resolve.

12. Learning to bow

THE BUDDHA BLOG
Jizo teaches our hyperactive protagonist the secret to finding inner stillness.

13. The Ascetic

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Jizo explains the Middle Way to Dylan.

14. Solo

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A 13 year old girl gives Gautama the final lesson that will lead him to full Buddhahood.

15. Shame

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Dylan has a terrifying experience on the meditation cushion.

16. On the terrace

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Dylan finds the courage to return to the meditation cushion so Jizo gives him some further instructions on meditation.

17. Enlightenment

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Siddhartha faces his final test under the Bodhi tree.

18. The Meditation Hall

THE BUDDHA BLOG
Dylan has his first experience of a real Zen-do and it's not what he expected!

19. Daily Life Practice

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Jizo's instructions for daily life practice leave Dylan less than thrilled.

20. The Buddha’s Path

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Will Dylan understand what Jizo is trying to teach him?

21. The Morning Star

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Why is the Buddha’s birthday the same day as his death and enlightenment? Jizo has some interesting ideas about why this could be.

22. Mara Has One More Go

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The Buddha has reached enlightenment but he has has no idea how he’s going to explain it to anyone.

23. Dr. Buddha

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Rather than create a new philosophy, the Buddha decides to offer up a cure for old age, sickness and death in one simple formulation.

24. Happiness?

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Is Dylan feeling compassion or desire?

25. The Buddha Looks for His Friends

THE BUDDHA BLOG
Having become the Buddha, the newly awakened ascetic makes his first attempt to teach what he has discovered.

26. Sangha, Sutras & Skateboarders

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Dylan is introduced to the Buddhist sutras for the first time, but they also come with a warning.

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Further reading

The Guest House by Jalaluddin Rumi | with commentary by Martin Goodson

Poet's Corner
Usually we try to get rid of unpleasant experiences. The mystical poet Rumi however, suggests a radically different approach.

Wind by Phyllis Reid | with commentary by Martin Goodson

Poet's Corner
This poem manages to convey what it feels like to give ourselves wholeheartedly into the everyday activities of life.

Extract | A Global History of Buddhism and Medicine

Book Extracts
As well as being saints and gods, the Bodhisattvas are also considered to be manifestations of the Buddha nature which can be used for healing.

The Zen of Poetry

How to use poetry in Zen training.