Buddhism Red Demon, Blue Demon Stories from the Tradition May 20, 2023 A supernatural experience leaves a merchant wondering if he still exists. The Bandit and the Spider Stories from the Buddhist Tradition Apr 30, 2023 An evil-doing Bandit gets one last chance at saving himself after helping a spider. Through the Keyhole Stories from the Tradition Apr 2, 2023 A disciple of the Buddha is set an impossible test to prove that he has attained the status of Arhat. The Anger Eating Demon Stories from the Buddhist Tradition Mar 16, 2023 A demon which feeds on anger finds plenty to chew on at the court of King Shaka. The Woman Who Couldn’t See the Buddha Stories from the Buddhist Tradition Mar 5, 2023 A story about someone who is unable to see what’s right in front of their face. King Milinda Eats a Fine Meal! Stories from the Buddhist Tradition Feb 17, 2023 Why do new things lose their shine? Three Omens from Yama Stories from the Buddhist Tradition Jan 22, 2023 Yama, Lord of Death, gives one lucky man another shot at life but will the young man recognise the God when he appears again? A Vision of the Universe: Abhirati and the Tathagata Akshobhya The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Aug 27, 2022 If looking for the Buddha nature is impossible then how do we find it? Sermon on the Destructible and the Indestructible The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Aug 20, 2022 In this episode, the Buddha explains how Bodhisattvas can live fully in the worlds of suffering and death, without suffering themselves. The Perfume Feast The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Aug 7, 2022 Why does the ‘taxing’ nature of our world make it possible to achieve Buddhahood in one lifetime? Find out in this week’s episode of the Vimalikirti Sutra. The Dharma Door of Non-duality The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Jul 31, 2022 Bodhisatva’s gather from all four corners of the universe to explain how to reach the ‘door of non-duality’ and how to step through it. The Family of the Tathagatas The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Jul 24, 2022 The Buddha committed murder in one of his previous lives. How could committing such a heinous act help deliver beings into full Buddhahood? Sariputra Wants a Chair and Gets a Throne The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Jul 10, 2022 In this episode the essence of what the Zen masters taught is revealed. Vimalakirti Does Some Spring Cleaning The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Jul 3, 2022 The magical powers of the Boddhisatva's are now on full display, but where do these miracles come from? Series The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Stories Retold Jul 2, 2022 The Zen Gateway re-tells this dream like sutra for the modern reader. The Reluctance of Visitors | Part 2 The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Jun 19, 2022 All the Buddha’s disciples are too scared face Vimalakirti’s Dharma power, surely the future Buddha Maitreya will have what it takes to speak with the Boddhisatva. The Reluctance of Visitors | Part 1 The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Jun 10, 2022 Having heard news of Vimalakirti’s illness, the Buddha sends his top men to find out what’s wrong with the Boddhisatva, but all the Arhats seem suspiciously reluctant to go. Vimalakirti Diagnoses his Illness The Vimalakīrti Sūtra Jun 4, 2022 The Bodhisattva’s sudden illness even has the King worried, what is Vimalakirti up to? Introducing the Man Himself: Vimalakīrti The Vimalakīrti Sūtra May 27, 2022 Having sensed the presence of the Buddha, the Bodhisattva, businessman and lay practitioner Vimalakirti, sets in motion a crafty plan to teach the Dharma to all. The Purification of the Buddha Field The Vimalakīrti Sūtra May 21, 2022 If the Buddha field is the pure and luminous aspect of the mind, how can impurities exist within it? The Buddha explains in this episode of the Vimalakīrti Sūtra. The Holy Scripture of Vimalakirti The Vimalakīrti Sūtra May 16, 2022 Our retelling of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa returns. In this episode, the Buddha shows an assembled crowd a vision of cosmic proportions. Just Lay Down The Heart Zen Training Stories Oct 23, 2021 As westerners the thought of having to bow may leave us feeling uneasy, but through the act of bowing we can discover the essence of the Buddhist path. The Boy and the Bell Zen Training Stories Oct 17, 2021 A young boy is praised for breaking the Temple rules. Bodhidharma's Death The Story of Bodhidharma Sep 24, 2021 Even in death, Bodhidharma’s last encounter left those he met scratching their heads in confusion. The Demon Waits Zen Training Stories Sep 15, 2021 The demon Redeye stands guard over a Bodhi Tree waiting for a man who would reach full awakening. The Buddha’s enlightenment story, as told from the point of view of the Demons. Series Zen Training Stories Stories Re-told Sep 15, 2021 Stories from across the world that give insight into Zen training. Huike's Encounter with Bodhidharma The Story of Bodhidharma Sep 2, 2021 When Huike came to Bodhidharma for training, he was berated by the master for his lack of commitment and ignorance of the severity of the training. Although Huike's response made him the first disciple of Zen, it was also to his great personal cost. The Widow and the Calligrapher Zen Training Stories Sep 2, 2021 When life took its toll on a woman, who had become embittered and lonely, a chance encounter with a calligrapher gives her the key to turning it all around. Turning a tap in Adelaide, a downpour in London Stories Re-told Apr 30, 2021 While the western approach to changing the outer world may be 'to go out there' and do something about it, in many eastern philosophies the answer lies in changing your own heart first. The 'Way' of Living What is the way? Mar 19, 2021 A Samurai seeking the way get’s more than he bargains for when he approaches a Zen Master for advice. The Story of Eno Daikan 3: The True Face of Elder Myo Jan 13, 2021 In this final part of Eno Daikan's story, having received the Buddha's robe and bowl, he flees the monastery only to be pursued and caught by the Elder Myo. It is at this point Eno delivers his famous Koan. The Story of Eno Daikan 2: The Heart has no stand Dec 23, 2020 The delusion of 'I', takes its stand by splitting the world into opposites. 'Me' or 'you', 'mind' or 'body', 'inside' or 'outside', 'relative truth' or 'absolute truth'. And perhaps most relevant, 'my opinion' or... The Great Awakening! From Miraculous Birth to the Buddha's Enlightenment Dec 1, 2020 Our look at the mythic and symbolic meanings of the life of the Buddha ends with the three temptations from Mara and the Buddha's final awakening. A fitting tribute to Rohatsu Week. Sitting Under the Bodhi Tree From Miraculous Birth to The Buddha's Enlightenment. Nov 24, 2020 Our story moves into its final act when the Great Bodhisattva, having now abandoned the ascetic life, makes his seat under the Tree of Awakening. It is a time of great challenges where the power of the Buddha-Heart can be realised. Just Look At The Place Where Your Own Feet Stand! Stories from the life of Zen Master Daiyu Myokyo Nov 10, 2020 Underneath our distractions is a desire to avoid an unpleasant truth, underneath that desire is fear! Plus: "The Heart rolls with the 10,000 things, this rolling is truly mysterious!" Two Teachers, Two Lineages From Miraculous Birth to the Buddha's Enlightenment Nov 5, 2020 The pre-training of the Great Bodhisattva is an important lesson for practitioners not to to just make up a personal practice. The Wisdom of tradition is the cumulative experience of those who go before us and helps make the training a more 'rounded' experience. The Liberation of Having No Options Stories from the life of Zen Master Daiyu Myokyo Oct 27, 2020 More choice is often peddled as always being better, more freeing, however it brings with it attachment and paralysis, even despair. Not having an option can be liberating and ceases to split desire pitting one against the other. The Great Renunciation From Miraculous Birth to The Buddha's Enlightenment Oct 14, 2020 A husband and father leaves in the dead of night, abandoning his family and his responsibilities. The Great Renunciation is a problematic part of the Buddha's life-story, it is only the Great Vow of Compassion that he took to return to share his discovery of the cause of suffering that gives it meaning. The Story of Eno Daikan (Huineng) Part I - Introduction Oct 6, 2020 Eno Daikan is seen as next in importance after the traditional founder of Zen, Bodhidharma. He is closely connected with The Diamond Sutra and the teaching of prajñaparamita. His collected sermons form The Platform Sutra a rare accolade for teachings that do not represent the direct teachings of the Buddha. Series Stories of the Zen Masters Oct 6, 2020 The Zen masters embody Zen practice. Their stories show the Wisdom-of-the-Heart in practice as well as the struggles to attain Enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. "Something Will Have to Give Way" Stories from the life of Zen Master Daiyu Myokyo Oct 3, 2020 Myokyo-ni always said that a spiritual training that did not involve the emotional household would effect no lasting transformation. We continue our series of life-stories that illustrate this point Four Fateful Trips Beyond the Palace From Miraculous Birth to the Buddha's Enlightenment Sep 28, 2020 The bubble of security bursts for Prince Gautama when he leaves the palace on four trips. Suffering is often the way into the spiritual life once we realise that we have been living in blind ignorance of the truth. This trauma can cast us into despair or set us upon a new path. Life in the Palace - From Miraculous Birth to the Buddha's Enlightenment Sep 23, 2020 Childhood - the 'age of innocence' - is a protected period where our identity is formed. But sooner or later this bubble is ruptured, an event that can arise due to the inner prompting of the Heart's own nature. Series Stories from the Life of Master Daiyu Myokyo (Myokyo-ni) A collection of teaching stories from the life of a contemporary... Sep 19, 2020 Daiyu Myokyo Zenji (1921-2007) was born in Austria, moved to the U.K. and then trained in Daitokuji monastery in Kyoto from 1960-72. She received inka from Kannun Sojun Roshi, returned to the U.K. and spent the rest of her life teaching the Zen Way. She often used anecdotes from her own life to illustrate her... Everything Teaches Zen Stories from the life of Zen Master Daiyu Myokyo (Myokyo-ni) Sep 19, 2020 Myokyo-ni said that she had several 'Zen' teachers in her life before her formal training began in Japan. If we are open-minded then the world itself can point the way. Series From Miraculous Birth to the Buddha's Enlightenment A symbolic exploration of the Buddha's life-story Sep 12, 2020 These articles explore the symbolism of the mythic story of the founder of Buddhism to reveal mythic themes that reflect truths about the nature of the human condition. A Torrent from the Mountain Peak Remembering Daiyu Myokyo Zenji Aug 31, 2020 A collection of stories told by Ven. Myokyo-ni from her own life which she used to illustrate various teaching points. This article was originally published in Zen Traces, the journal of the London Zen Group in 2007, shortly after her death. BODHIDHARMA: Reverence - The Way to the One Heart Jul 2, 2020 Oneness' requires the heart to be empty of 'I', this is why reverence is such an important spiritual sentiment. This article explains how it also acts as a gateway to the heart-wisdom of the Zen masters. Staying on Target May 18, 2020 The Buddha's parable of the poisoned arrow warns against being distracted when urgent action is necessary. The later Zen masters developed lightening fast ways of removing these arrows from their followers. Topics BUDDHA CH'AN DHARMA ASSORTMENTS DHARMA TALKS FUNDAMENTALS MAHAYANA SCRIPTURES STORIES RETOLD THE WAY OF DEVOTION ZEN NEW! Dharma Centre We have just launched our online Dharma Centre. All are welcome... Join our Community! Donate The virtue of generosity, charity or giving. Your donations are welcomed. Learn more
