The Fundamental Point and Make the Dark Night Shine

Originally penned in 1233 and revised in 1252 by Eihei Dōgen, The Genjō Kōan: Actualizing the Fundamental Point is considered one of the founding documents of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Written as a prose poem, Dōgen´s words are Zen itself, moving, paradoxical, enlightening and living. For almost one thousand years, Zen practitioners and scholars have written …

Recognizing and Transforming Shame: A Zen Approach

One of my identities is as a figure skater. For twenty years now, I have been practicing, learning new skills and tricks on the ice. For me, the ice is a source of grace, intimacy, and comradery. I see it as a practice of mindfulness, of Buddha nature, of beingness. On the best days, like …

Temple Hopping In Kyoto, Uji and Kurama

Jojakkoji Tenryuji Nison-in Hogan-in Giouji Koryuji Horyuji Yakushiji Toshodaiji Todaiji Kohfukuji Daikakuji Ryoanji Byodoin Koshoji Mimuritoji Temple Hopping  Selfies red seal books Attest to our attainment Why have we come here? Temple Shots: We All Should be Inoculated  Kannon looms over Compassion eternally Our need is endless Humid Kyoto Afternoon Sweat on my brow pours  …

Where Have All the Buddha Heads Gone (in Angkor Wat?)

Impermanence, that was the word that kept coming to me yesterday and today roaming the temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and a host of smaller temples (already impermanent to my memory.) Angkor Thom, meaning Great City, had a population of over one million in the 1200s, making it the largest city in the world …