Myosho-ji Buddhist Temple - Member of Enkyoji Network of Temples

06/28/2020

Here at the temple we are setting aside one Sunday, the last one of the month, to spend time asking questions, sharing insights, and general discussion. Today we covered subjects such as, ten worlds, NonViolent Communication, parable of Burning House, Buddhist Mercy, child rearing, and ADHD. Perhaps you will find something of value in this recording.

Here at the temple we are setting aside one Sunday, the last one of the month, to spend time asking questions, sharing insights, and general discussion. Toda...

06/15/2020

Last week I spoke on Observation, the first of the four cornerstones of NVC. Today I backtrack a little and give a brief overview of the entire NVC approach ...

06/14/2020

Sangha group photo June 14, 2020. Representing Czech Republic, France, Belgium, UK, and USA

06/07/2020

Sunday Lotus Sutra service, Dharma Talk, and Sangha gathering. All Dharma - All Digital
Folks from France, Portugal, Czech Republic, Belgium, UK, and USA

06/07/2020

This Video is recorded in English and French

The first part of this video recording is devoted to a very brief talk on the difference between Jihi, Buddhist Mercy, and the dictionary definition of mercy. Also, as part of this I talk a bit about the difference between a lie and an expedient as understood in Buddhism. They both share a certain characteristic, an important one.

Due to the condensed explanation of Buddhist Mercy it is lacking in a great deal of subtlety and nuance. I do plan on coming back to it, today was primarily to conclude the long response to a question many weeks about about attachment. Also I felt it was a fairly good way to begin our study of Nonviolent Communication.

I've spoken about Nonviolent Communication over many years, it is an important tool I feel worth sharing and exploring. As with any tool it is up to the user to employ it. It takes practice, for sure.

This will be the first time I have tried to share it in the French language and for that I am deeply indebted to our wonderful interpreters. Offering the teaching in dual language is wonderful, the limitation is the amount of material which can be covered at any time. Several weeks ago we talked about this as a Sangha. The consensus among English speakers was that the pause for the French interpretation allowed them the opportunity to consider and absorb the material, sort of a mediation pause. Perhaps you can think along the same lines.

In the interest of full disclosure and honesty I am not a certified NVC couch or teacher. Also as we progress I will be tying it directly to our Buddhist practice, how it relates and how we use it.

The first part of this video recording is devoted to a very brief talk on the difference between Jihi, Buddhist Mercy, and the dictionary definition of mercy...

05/31/2020

Today I begin to talk more about another aspect of the answer to a question from May 26, 2020 regarding whether familial attachment to children is or is not an impediment to enlightenment. This is a rather complex discussion and in this video I tried to lay some ground work to build upon for next week.

Today I begin to talk more about another aspect of the answer to a question from May 26, 2020 regarding whether familial attachment to children is or is not ...

05/25/2020

Actively Engaged In Life In a few days things will be changing gears as I begin a yearlong Chaplain residency program in a hospital here in Charlotte, NC. Back in December of last year I started writing daily meditation postings on my blog.

05/24/2020

Today we devoted our after service time to open question and answer as well discussion. Some of the questions arose from my Dhamra talks for the past two weeks. https://youtu.

05/24/2020

Today we devoted our after service time to open question and answer as well discussion. Some of the questions arose from my Dhamra talks for the past two weeks.

Today we devoted our after service time to open question and answer as well discussion. Some of the questions arose from my Dhamra talks for the past two weeks.

05/17/2020

Today we faced significant challenges with the Zoom platform. Wordwide the video was not functioning and the audio was not available to all participants. We persevered as best we were able.

In this Part II of the Dharma talk I talk about a portion of one paragraph from Chapter I - Introduction - Lotus Sutra. The particular paragraph is the fourth one from the beginning as written in English. There is French interpretation for the entire lecture and the location is provided in French at the beginning.

This talk covers two ways of considering the beam of light or the illumination the Buddha provides to 18,000 other worlds. There is a physical as well as metaphorical understanding of Illumination.

The talk also talks about the Four Lowe Realms and how we need proper illumination to fully grasp what we are being influenced by and how to understand our situation.

This is only the first part of my entire presentation on this one paragraph. Subsequent portions will be given on following Sundays.

Today we faced significant challenges with the Zoom platform. Wordwide the video was not functioning and the audio was not available to all participants. We ...

05/10/2020

Staying Motivated in your practice can be challenging even during ideal circumstances. For many though ideal circumstances rarely occur. For some practice is done as an isolated individual with no temple, no organized community of believers accessible. For others it can be an unrelenting obstacles that is difficult overcome and requiring many months or years of work. And not today in 2020 we find our selves practicing in the midst of a worldwide pandemic which has forced us into physical distancing, limited social interaction, fear of catching the disease, uncertainty about economic future, and on the list can go. It is frightening, scary, and perhaps never before experienced. We have little previous examples to draw upon to help us cope. This is why at this time our faith and practice are fundamental. Yet even that is hard to do. Several years ago I recorded this video with ideas and encouragement to practice when it is hard to do so.

How to Stay Motivated in Your Faith.

Frequently folks are practicing in remote locations and do not have easy access to a temple or Sangha meeting. I put this together to offer suggestions on wa...

05/10/2020

In this Dharma talk I talk about a portion of one paragraph from Chapter I - Introduction - Lotus Sutra. The particular paragraph is the fourth one from the beginning as written in English. There is French interpretation for the entire lecture and the location is provided in French at the beginning.