How The Future Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva ‘First’ Visited Hell

Jan. 12 | 佛名大觉，具一切智， 若在世时，我母死后， 傥来问佛，必知处所。 – 婆罗门女 《地藏菩萨本愿经》 [The] Buddha [is] named [the] Great Awakened [One], complete [with] all wisdom, thus [on] when alive, [and]...

Can Accidental Mention Of Death Cause Actual Death?

Dec. 4 | Question: There was accidental declaration of an informant of a death as the deceased. A family member of the informant is now worried that unfortunate things might happen. What can be done?  Answer: You should get the one who made the mistake to...

Don’t Put It Off Till Tomorrow

Aug. 8 | To live each day fully, is to live each life fully. – Shilashanti  ‘Zengosaidan’ is a Zen expression meaning that we must put all our efforts into each day so that we have no regrets, and that we must not grieve for the past or worry about...

How About Being A More Buddhist Stoic?

Dec. 28 | We must make the best of those things  that are in our power, and take the rest as nature gives it. – Epictetus (Discourses, I.I) Cicero, who was sympathetic to Stoicism, once gave the analogy of a most conscientious archer. For shooting well when...

Worry Haiku

May. 27 | ‘Do you never worry?’ ‘Would it help?’ *Surprised silent reflection* (Dialogue from movie ‘Bridge Of Spies’)

Does Worrying Reduce Blessings?

Sep. 23 | Question: I came across the idea that too much worry about one’s children will take away their blessings. Is it not normal for parents to worry about their children? Answer: It is ‘normal’ but it does not mean it is wise. In fact, worrying...

‘Alexander’ And His Terribly Fantastic Day

Jul. 1 | Some comedies are indeed suitable for all in the family. One good example would be ‘Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’. It is even educational for kids and grown-ups – who have yet to grow up! In a scene before...

Will ‘Mortdecai’ Be Alright In The End?

Jun. 24 | During a car chase, the comical Lord Mortdecai asks his henchman, ‘Jock?’ He replies, ‘Yes, sir?’ Mortdecai continues in his aristocratic tone, ‘Will it be alright in the end?’ Despite the high tension, Jock who is...