A Fistful of Sand

BY CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY LEIBOW This is a reposted blog article by Sensei Keisho Ananda of Hongaku Jodo . It is well worth the read. Please check him out. Does Buddhism Need A Dhamma Police ? When I took refuge years ago I took refuge in The Buddha, The Dhamma (Dharma) and The Sangha.  The Dhamma is considered to be the body of the teachings of the Buddha . . . but where are the teachings, how do we know which dhamma, which teachings, are The Dhamma?  Do we need a Dhamma Police to make sure that Buddhists follow the “true dhamma”?  I think not and I hope not, and I’ll tell you why. First let’s take a look at where the teachings or the dhamma might be found.  Buddhism, like all traditions that are really, really old, started out as an oral tradition. Three months after the Death of the Buddha 500 pre-eminent Arahants concerned with  preserving the purity of the dhamma held a convocation at  Rajagaha to rehearse the teachings. ...

What is Mindfulness? What is mindfulness and what does it mean to you? Mindfulness is a shift in the way we pay attention. During that subtle shift our entire world can transform from the inside out. When it comes to mindfulness there is simply “understanding “it and there is “knowing” it directly through experience. You may not understand “mindfulness” as a concept yet, but you have already experienced it. Can you remember a time when you were totally engaged in an activity — utterly absorbed — you weren’t thinking about the bills, the people bothering you or the things you have to do later? Every part of your being was focused in the moment. Maybe you experienced it when a beautiful sunset took your breath away or felt it spontaneously when you were playing some sport, listening to some piece of music, or simply alone in nature. Yogis and dancers know mindfulness when they lose themselves in the joyful movement of the body. Artists feel it when they are absor...

 — The Matrix of Practice Dengyo Daishi once wrote, "A devout believer in the Buddha's Law who is also a wise man is truly obliged to point out to his students any false doctrines, even though they are principles of his own sect. He must not lead the students astray. If, on the other hand, he finds a correct doctrine, even though it is a principle of another sect he should adopt and transmit it."  Because of this Tendai has always been diverse in its practices, adaptations and this shows in the many lineages found within the Sect. When Tasogare Shinju came to the United States to inaugurate the Compassionate Lotus lineage in the West, of which Hongaku ( 本覚 ) Jōdo ( 浄土 ) is the Western lineage assembly, he had the Bodhisattva Vows in mind, especially the one that challenges us to master  all  Dharmas. This may be the motivation for maintaining such a wide array of undertakings within the Tendai sect. It is because of the determination to offer pr...