The Mindfulness Trainings are not Formulas for Absolute Virtue

In these words of wisdom from Hannah Tennant-Moore, we learn that the precepts or the Mindfulness Trainings are not formulas for absolute virtue. Every single one of them, whether we are talking about the Five Mindfulness Trainings or the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing, is relative and depends on what is happening […]

How to Invite the Bell

I go to many Buddhist events and everywhere, someone becomes the bell master and invites the bell. I listen to many dharma talks by many different dharma teachers and they often invite the bell. However, I have never come across another teacher who is as wonderful a bell master as Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. […]

Remembering Dr Martin Luther King Jr

Today in the United States is a day of remembering Dr Martin Luther King Jr. As portrayed in the movie, Selma, Dr. King was a man who believed in non-violence. He took on the whole country to try to rid us of our  discrimination against people of color. To a large extent, he was very […]

Building a Beloved Community

For the past six years, I have been building a beloved community. The community is the Mindfulness in Healing sangha which meets on Wednesday nights at the Pine Street Clinic in San Anselmo, California from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. This beloved community has changed a lot over the years. My original concept when it began […]

Sister Chan Khong Spoke for Thich Nhat Hanh

Pope Francis invited Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) to speak about the signing of the declaration against slavery. Since Thay is still sick in the hospital, Sister Chan Khong spoke for Thich Nhat Hanh from a prepared speech. The speech is available in its entirety on the Plum Village website. Pope Francis invited spiritual […]

Taking Care of Our Families

Taking care of our families is just as important as dharma practice. Even though we are taught that “non-attachment is essential,” we must continue to love and support our family members. I find this teaching to be really essential. At a time when many of my friends were attending retreats away from their families, I […]

Keep Our Compassion Alive

The People’s Climate Train, climate march and Flood Wall Street occurred while I was in Spain. My dharma brother, David Nelson, filmed the event and has made his film public. What we learn is that we need to keep our compassion alive as Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) says, May we keep our compassion […]

The Road is Made by Walking

Walker, your footsteps are the road, and nothing more. Walker, there is no road, the road is made by walking. Walking you make the road, and turning to look behind you see the path you never again will step upon. Walker, there is no road, only foam trails on the sea.   ~ Antonio Machado […]

The Chan Practices Of Buddha Gate Monastery

There has been a lot of discussion about the 5 Contemplations on the OI1 discussion group lately. In the previous article I reported on some issues my dharma brothers were having and compared two versions of the 5 Contemplations with each other. One of the principle areas of discussion was related to the second contemplation, […]

Global Warming Is Still Happening

My dharma brother and fellow OI1 member, George Hoguet posted a link to a very technical article about global warming which is still happening and even at a faster rate than anticipated by the latest scientific assessment. The NASA study  reveals that “…Climate Sensitivity Is High So ‘Long-Term Warming Likely To Be Significant.’” [Read More…] […]