For today’s dharma talk, I want to ask first a question, and then I want to share a story. Now I am going to ask you a question, and I want you to think about the question for a few moments and think about it – What are you still carrying? What are you…
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Already Broken: Impermanence
I want to begin our discussion on Dharma today with a story shared by Mark Epstein, one of the pioneers in integrating psychotherapy and Buddhism. He recounts an encounter with his teacher, Ajahn Chah, many years ago. During this meeting, someone asked the master how genuine happiness is possible in a world where everything changes,…
On Lack & Happines
ON LACK & Seeking Happiness Today I want to talk about a feeling that many of us experience – it can be persistent, and it can be the source of much suffering. Many of us may not even be aware of how much it affects us. For much of the world, this feeling is an…
Violence as Entertainment?
Today’s dharma talk has been retitled Violence as Entertainment? The seeds of this talk were first planted that moment, some of you know that moment when your kid becomes interested in some violence he sees on the TV screen. That moment when you grab him quick to avert his eyes. Of course, the only thing…
In Praise of Boredom
Good morning everyone, For today’s Dharma talk I would like to talk about boredom. As a matter of fact, I want to talk in praise of boredom. The title for this talk was inspired by a great book about Chinese philosophy regarding life called “In Praise of Blandness”. A fascinating and rather subversive book in…
The Limits of Outrage.
This Dharma talk was given by Christopher Kakuyo Sensei at the Salt Lake Buddhist Fellowship November 4th, 2018 Today I want to share some remarks regarding what seems like an ever deepening polarization of our country and communities – and as of late, an increase of not just polarization but of fearmongering and violence. This…
Honoring the Pure Land: Eco-Dharma and Buddhist Practice
Over the past few months, we have been talking a lot about interdependence – which is found in the teachings of Pratitya–samutpada – co-dependent arising – that all things exist simply from the causes and conditions that have made this moment this moment. This was the heart of the content of the Buddha’s awakening even…
Interdependence Guided Meditation
In this practice, we’ll be cultivating awareness of our interdependence – “During quietness, you breathe together with the whole world. We breathe as one.” – Gyomay Kubose Sensei GUIDED MEDITATION Breathing in, Breathing out Feel the air filling your lungs as you breathe in and out feeling the air fill your lungs, Honor…
Generosity: The Primary Buddhist Virtue
Last week we were speaking about Dana – or the practice of generosity – from the receiving end and today we are going to talk about it from the giving end – We shared last week that there are preconceptions that Buddhism is all about meditation and kindness and how this is a partial misperception…
Everyday Nembutsu 